Three young athletes from Mykolaiv Oblast climbed onto the podium at the MMA World Championship in Abu Dhabi

Young athletes from the Mykolaiv region proudly represented Ukraine at the World Championship in mixed martial arts (MMA) for children, boys and juniors in Abu Dhabi (UAE). From the region, 6 athletes went to the world championship, three of whom returned with medals.

The World Championship took place in Abu Dhabi from 16 to 23 August 2026. The National Mixed Martial Arts Federation of Ukraine reported that the strongest young athletes from different countries competed at the Mubadala arena. The Mykolaiv region was represented on the Ukrainian national team by athletes from Mykolaiv, Kryve Ozero and Voznesensk. The best result among the region’s representatives was shown by Daryna Stepanenko from Kryve Ozero. The athlete of the “Kharakternyk” club took 2nd place and became the silver medalist of the World Championship. She is coached by Ihor Yashchenko.

Two more medals for the Mykolaiv region were won by:

• Kyrylo Sorochan – 3rd place, Mykolaiv, Varan Team. Coach – Andriy Mavrodiev;
• Karina Chaykovska – 3rd place, Kryve Ozero, club “Kharakternyk”. Coach – Ihor Yashchenko.

The National MMA Federation of Ukraine separately confirmed the bronze medals of Kyrylo Sorochan and Karina Chaykovska in the Youth C age category. Kyrylo Sorochan competed in the 62 kg weight class, and Karina Chaykovska – 52 kg.

Three more representatives of the Mykolaiv region finished just short of the podium:

• Oleksandr Kraytor – 4th place, Mykolaiv, Varan Team. Coach – Andriy Mavrodiev;
• Yuliia Kondriukova – 5th place, Voznesensk, sports club “FANAT”. Coach – Volodymyr Shevchenko;
• Viktoriia Balyka – 4th place, Mykolaiv, Obrevko Team. Coach – Oleh Obrevko.

According to the Mykolaiv MMA Federation, a total of 110 athletes from different regions of the country represented Ukraine at the world championship. The Ukrainian team finished the championship with 49 medals: athletes won 12 gold, 18 silver and 19 bronze awards. The same overall medal result was reported by the Embassy of Ukraine in the UAE. Behind the success of the young athletes are years of training, constant work, discipline, as well as the support of coaches and families. The Mykolaiv MMA Federation separately thanked People’s Deputy of Ukraine Ihor Kopytin for his help in organizing the athletes’ trip to the UAE. The federation noted that this support allowed the young fighters to focus on preparation and performances on the international stage.

Thus, of the 6 athletes from the Mykolaiv region who competed at the World Championship, 3 won medals, and another 3 finished the tournament in 4th and 5th places.

Earlier we wrote:

• Mykolaiv fencers won silver at the World Cup in Thailand
• Mykolaiv boxer Nazar Kliuchko won bronze at the European Championship
• Alina Polozyuk received a cash reward for the historic World Championship bronze
• The team’s first medal of the season: Mykolaiv gymnast Valeriia Peremeta won bronze at the World Cup
• Historic bronze: Mykolaiv foil fencer Alina Polozyuk climbed onto the podium of the European Championship