Paul Abraham
Day 5 of the 2026 IMMAF Youth World Championships saw several familiar faces return to the podium in Abu Dhabi. Flyweight ruler Bella Adams and Strawweight force Shokboz Abdukhakimov added new titles to their records, while Slovakia’s Maria Scali finally secured world gold.
Adams became a three-time IMMAF World Champion as England’s leading international youth prospect . Alongside her younger sister, Lilah, Adams’ credentials and performances rank among the exceptional few to appear unbeatable at the premier level of youth MMA. This week she stepped up to challenge for the flyweight crown, and swiftly submitted all comers via arm-bar until facing fellow youth champion – Ukraine’s Kira Voliashchenko. Despite Voliashchenko being the most resilient opponent of the English star and one of her most technical challenges to date, Adams claimed the judge’s unanimous decision to claim gold.
Uzbekistan’s Abdukhakimov also added to his promising record. The 2024 world champion faced Adam Duffy in the male strawweight final and came away with the win, securing his second world title while Duffy battled hard to improve on his silver medal from last year. The Irishman impressively bested 5 opponents between the group and elimination stages until going the distance in a bid to overcome Abdukhakimov, who clinched the unanimous decision.
Maria Scali had tremendous reason to celebrate as the new female Youth A strawweight queen. The Slovakian athlete missed out on a medal at last year’s World Championships and took silver at the European Championships earlier this year. In Abu Dhabi, she appeared destined for triumph and even shook off a split-decision defeat in the round robin stages to advance to the elimination tournament and finally secure her world title.
Khurshedjon Shokirov emerged victorious from a strong male flyweight division, which provided some of the best action of Day 5 with several decorated fighters competing for the title, including silver medalist Adrii Tiran, and bronze medalists Theos McEvatt – a former European champion, and Asian champion Carlo Boustany, plus a lineup of strong quarter-final talents. In addition to his gold medal, Shokirov leaves Abu Dhabi with an incredible trail of 6 wins over the course of the tournament, including four submissions and an apparent fondness for D’Arce chokes.
The competition is not over yet, with more Youth A action to come over the weekend in Abu Dhabi.
