Azerbaijani mixed martial arts fighter Ali Atashov has won a bronze medal at the 2026 IMMAF World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the Azerbaijan MMA Federation announced the achievement on its official social media accounts.
Competing in the youth super middleweight division (88.4 kg), Atashov delivered an impressive performance, securing consecutive victories in the early stages of the competition.
The Azerbaijani fighter defeated Uzbekistan's Akmal Shakirov in the round of 16 to advance to the semifinals, where he faced another Uzbek representative, Doniyor Kuvandikov.
Atashov suffered a defeat in the semifinal bout but secured a bronze medal under IMMAF competition regulations. Both losing semifinalists are awarded bronze medals without an additional third-place contest.
The result saw Atashov finish third in his weight category, earning a place on the podium at one of the most prestigious competitions in amateur mixed martial arts.
The 2026 IMMAF World Championships, organised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, are taking place in Tbilisi from November 1 to 7. The tournament has attracted more than 880 athletes representing over 60 countries.
Azerbaijan is represented by seven fighters: Alakbar Mahmudov, Gabil Alizade, Saleh Jafarov, Ismat Badalov, Hasan Mahammadgazi, Ali Atashov and Elmir Allahverdiyev.
The Azerbaijani delegation is led by Rovshan Hasanov, president of the Azerbaijan MMA Federation.
