Super-heavyweight Pasha Kharkhachaev began his bid for a third
International Mixed Martial Arts Association World Championship title
in a row with a commanding performance here in Abu Dhabi.
This is IMMAF's first World Championships in two years, after COVID-19
put a stop to competition in 2020.
We've still had around 100 athlete withdrawals this year however, as a
result of coronavirus.
One class particularly impacted is the women's atomweight which has
been blown wide open after two.
Pasha Kharkhachaev and Bagdat Zhubanysh will be among the star names
appearing at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation World
Championships, which begin here in Abu Dhabi tomorrow.