The 2024 IMMAF World Championships launched in spectacular fashion at Tashkent’s Humo Arena, welcoming a global audience to the year’s premier amateur MMA event.
In a day that primarily showcased top-tier debut talent, IMMAF veterans Souhil Arezki (France) and Patrik Kutil (Czech Republic) seized the spotlight. Both Arezki, the 2023 IMMAF World Champion, and Kutil, the 2022 IMMAF European Champion, brought impressive pedigrees into their eagerly anticipated Junior bantamweight matchup. The clash lived up to the hype, with Arezki employing a grappling-heavy strategy, countered by Kutil’s aggressive submission attempts. A near-finish from Kutil’s rear-naked choke kept fans on edge, but Arezki’s unyielding ground-and-pound ultimately secured him a unanimous decision victory.
Team England made waves with several standout performances, including a notable TKO win from Charlie Lynch-Spence over Bulgaria’s Angel Mladenov. The English team displayed impressive form throughout the day, signalling their strong ambitions for the Championships.
Ireland’s Flobater Fares, the reigning IMMAF European Champion, found himself in a gruelling contest against the wrestling-heavy Santosh Yadev (India). However, Fares turned the tide in the final round with a slick guillotine submission, securing his progression from the Round of 16. His countryman Nate Kelly also made a strong start to the competition with a first-round guillotine.
One of the day’s standout finishes came from Serbia’s Uros Peric in the Senior Featherweight division, where he executed an exceptional buggy choke against David Leonardo Galicia Praskauer. The stunning submission showcased Peric’s skill and creativity, marking his win as one of the most memorable moments of the opening day.
