Israel’s MMA national team finalized after 14 championship bouts

Israel’s MMA federation held its national championship finals on Tuesday night at the D-ONE arena in Southern Sharon, where 14 title fights produced 14 champions who will make up Israel’s team for next year’s European and world championships.

The featured bout saw Yigal Danos defeat Lihau Harari to win the Israeli 70 kg title, in a rematch three years after their first meeting. In the co-main event, European U21 52 kg champion Yotam Glend captured the Israeli title after a very close split decision over Toku Khamaldze.

Among the other headline results, Leon Smitcko stopped Nadav Vachtel by technical knockout to retain the 74 kg title, Daniel Pelach scored a big knockout over Ariel Zilberberg to keep the U21 70 kg crown, and Ori Baruch defended his U21 61 kg title with a unanimous decision over Ariel Pitusi. Penina Aronov beat Ruthy Rozmarin to win the 54 kg championship.

The full card also included victories for Eliel Michaelov over Lexo Khamkhadze in U21 79 kg, Maor Azoulay over Shlav Kadosh in 56 kg, Leon Sosonov over Shahar Malul by rear-naked choke, Meir Dana over Natz Brakat by Ezekiel submission in round two, Abdullah Kian over Ori Zerbel in U21 74 kg, Yossef Chaim Bezalel over Itai Mesika by ninja choke in round two, Shlomi Vaknin over Ido Bruss in 79 kg, and Noam Atzmon over Denis Gudz in U21 83 kg.