KHK MMA fighter Hamza Zrira claimed his first international triumph with a win in the European Open Championships for Amateur MMA.
Zrira defeated Ukrainan fighter Roman Kolotovin in the 61KG category.
Zrira delivered a strong performance during the fight and controlled the paces in the three bouts which led the referee committee decide to give Zrira the win.
Zrira said: “I am very happy with this moral victory in my journey, which is my first international participation with KHK MMA Organisation. The fight was not easy but I was confident, and focused on the weak points of the opponent and succeeded in winning.”
He added that he was already thinking of the next fight and hoped to achieve more positive results.
Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Association Honorary President and Khalid bin Hamad Mixed Martial Arts Organisation Founder Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated Zrira for winning the match and qualifying for the Round of 8, praising the strong performance from the fighter. Shaikh Khalid also wished him more success in the championship.
1ST ROUND RESULTS: Josh Mottram (UK) bt Austin Lynch Ireland (IRE) via TKO (elbow injury); Hamza Zrira (BAH) bt Roman Kolotovin (UKR) via Unanimous Decision; Rostislav Raichev (BUL) bt Nashwan Aziz (NOR) via Unanimous Decision; Kierandip Sahota (UK) bt Gerard Corr (NI) via Unanimous Decision; Andrea Chiappi (ITA) bt Ben Fouladi (CAN) via Split Decision; Daniel Schalander (SWE) bt Bjartur Gaolaugsson (ISL) via Unanimous Decision; Ferdun Osmanov (BUL) bt Kevin Nieminen (FIN) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke); Pascal Hintzen (GER) bt Ermal Hadribeaj (ALB) via Unanimous Decision; Alexander O’Sullivan (IRE) bt Gustavo Gomez (USA) via Unanimous Decision; Iorga Cristian (RO) bt Carl-Johan Hoel (SWE) via Unanimous Decision; Ziaad Sadaily (RUS) bt Milton Mateus (POR) via Unanimous Decision; Magnus Ingvarrson (ISL) bt Tomas Fiala (CZE) via TKO (injury); Jan Vaclavek (CZE) bt Jack Anthony Flanagan (UK) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke); Vitalii Shostak (UKR) bt Balazs Borocz (HUN) via TKO; Jack Corr (NI) bt Dilan Muhammed (NOR) via Unanimous Decision; Levan Mirtskhulava (UKR) bt Jack Culshaw (UK) via Guillotine; Michele Martignoni (ITA) bt David Evans (USA) via TKO (injury); Carlos Castro (USA) bt Carlos Ibanez Aguayo (SPA) via Unanimous Decision; Eemil Kurhela (FIN) bt Eli Zgheib (LEB) via Guillotine; Joel Arolainen (FIN) bt Francesco Spinola (IT) via KO; Lee Hammond (IRE) bt Jakub Podpera (CZE) via Submission (Armbar); Milad Ahady (UK) bt Rashad Aliev (RUS) via Unanimous Decision Henri Dimitri (FRA) bt Alexander Shein via TKO; Shamil Muradov (AUS) bt David Velisek (CZE) via Unanimous Decision; Nikolay Nikolov (BUL) bt Attila Cziffra (HUN) via Submission (D’Arce Choke); Gorgen Indsetviken (NOR) bt Alex Elsey (UK) via Submission (Triangle).