Ayad exits with injury

Manama : Bahrain’s Hussain Ayad was forced to exit after injury and a referee’s decision in the Round of 8 in the Flyweight 56kg division against Kazakhstan’s Berik Shinaliyev yesterday on Day 3 of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) second European Open Championships for Amateur MMA, held at the Arena of Sparta in Prague, Czech Republic.

In the Bantamweight 61kg division, Bahrain’s other representative lost in three rounds to a split decision by the referees against Bulgaria’s Rostislav Raichev.

Both fighters were watched by HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Honourary President of Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Association, founder of Khalid bin Hamad Mixed Martial Arts Organization (KHK MMA).

Shaikh Khalid stressed that the participation has given KHK MMA and the national teams’ fighters more experience and a chance to develop their skills for upcoming championships.

Shaikh Khalid met the two fighters during the warm-up sessions and gave them final instructions.

Injury to Ayad in the third round forced the referee to stop the bout after the Bahraini had dominated the pace in the first two rounds, but his opponent surprised him with a painful hit in the centre-back of his body.

Hamza Zrira on the other hand, gave a strong performance and finished the three rounds.