Indian MMA

2025 IMMAF Youth MMA World Championships: Full Results for Team India

By LockerRoom Team August 1, 2025

Team India delivered a commendable performance at the 2025 IMMAF Youth MMA World Championships held in Abu Dhabi, facing some of the toughest young talent from across the globe. Representing the nation with pride and resilience, the Indian contingent competed across multiple youth divisions, earning a bronze medal and several impressive victories in the group stages.

Ayan Akef Wins India’s Lone Medal at IMMAF Youth MMA 2025

The standout performer for Team India was Ayan Akef, who secured a bronze medal in the Youth A Flyweight (56.7 kg) division. Ayan impressed with a dominant run in the group stage, registering three consecutive wins:

  • Defeated Aleksander Zając (Poland) via Submission (Anaconda Choke) – Round 3

  • Defeated Samuel Krutý (Slovakia) via Split Decision

  • Defeated Hamad Mohseni (Bahrain) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) – Round 3

In the quarterfinals, Ayan beat Kalenderov Emirlan (Kyrgyzstan) by unanimous decision, advancing to the semifinals. His remarkable journey ended there after a tough bout against Abdulaziz Kholmatov (Uzbekistan), where he lost via guillotine choke in Round 2, securing a well-deserved bronze medal for India.

Team India Results at 2025 IMMAF Youth MMA World Championships

Below is a breakdown of how Indian athletes fared across different weight classes and divisions:

Youth A Division Highlights

  • Ayisha Nissam (Flyweight, Women)

    • Win vs Jana Camila Ocadiomartinez (Mexico) – Split Decision

    • Loss vs Cojocaru Mirela Elisa (Romania) – Unanimous Decision

    • Loss vs Kamila Kim (Kazakhstan) – TKO (Round 1)

  • Aman Nair (Strawweight, Men)

    • Win vs Azhar Mohammed (Trinidad and Tobago) – Submission (RNC)

    • Loss vs Ravan Isgandarli (Azerbaijan) – Unanimous Decision

    • Loss vs Yaroslav Didyk (Ukraine) – Submission (Americana)

  • Shaik Mohd Hamdaan (Featherweight)

    • Win vs Roman Hovhannisyan (Armenia) – Forfeit

    • Loss vs Georgi Rusev (Bulgaria) – Submission (Von Flue Choke)

    • Loss vs Bassam Akram (Saudi Arabia) – Forfeit

  • Ali Hussain (Featherweight)

    • Loss vs Danail Milchev (Bulgaria) – Submission (Armbar)

    • Loss vs Alessio Ababei (Italy) – KO (Round 2)

  • Arjun Baliga (Super Lightweight)

    • Win vs Albert Harutyunyan (Armenia) – Forfeit

    • Loss vs Sean McBride (Ireland) – Submission (D’Arce Choke)

    • Loss vs Aleksander Szmaj (Poland) – Submission (Kimura)

  • Mohammed Abdul Gaffar (Lightweight)

    • Draw vs Lorenco Merrony-Janota (Wales)

    • Loss vs Kyle Heery (Ireland) – Submission (Armbar)

  • Kevin Dodia (Lightweight)

    • Loss vs Dante D’Amico (South Africa) – Unanimous Decision

    • Loss vs Sergio Guzman Becerra (Mexico) – TKO (Round 1)

Youth C Division Highlights

  • Kavin Kopperunko (37 kg)

    • Win vs Kamal Omar (Syria) – Unanimous Decision

    • Win vs Luka Beridze (Georgia) – Submission (Armbar)

    • Win vs Tobias Borovica (Slovakia) – Submission (Armbar)

    • Loss vs Damir Pasternak (Ukraine) – Unanimous Decision

  • Ishaq Imthiyaz (52 kg)

    • Win vs Mihai Robin (Romania) – Win by Disqualification

    • Loss vs Ali Mowafaq Alnajar (UAE) – Unanimous Decision

  • Khaja Moin Uddin (44 kg)

    • Loss vs Mehdi Jemaa (Tunisia) – Unanimous Decision

    • Loss vs Filip Vucinic (Montenegro) – Unanimous Decision

Official Statement from MMA India

Prasad Gaitonde, General Secretary of MMA India Federation, praised the team’s performance:

“I'm really happy with how Team India performed at the IMMAF Youth World Championship in Abu Dhabi. They were up against really tough competition, but they gave their best and did exceptionally well, successfully completing their bouts and securing several wins in the round robin series. We are proud of each and every athlete.”

The 2025 IMMAF Youth MMA World Championships once again proved that India’s young MMA talent is on the rise.

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