Rochdale teen takes gold in MMA Ireland nationals and eyes world title

Wednesday, 2 July 2025 22:08

By David Murphy

Gabriel Cullen, 17, beat a reigning world champion in Dublin to win gold, now he’s aiming for Abu Dhabi glory.

A Rochdale teenager is quickly becoming one of the UK’s brightest young talents in mixed martial arts after winning gold at the IMMAF Ireland National Youth Championships.

Gabriel Cullen, 17, dominated the Male Youth A Welterweight (-77.1kg) division during the elite-level contest in Dublin, outclassing rivals with his standout judo-based technique.

The competition, hosted by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), is a major stepping stone in youth MMA and attracts top contenders from across Europe.

Cullen’s most impressive victory came against a reigning Romanian world champion in Kempo, a specialist in striking with vast international experience. Cullen, whose judo training began at just four years old, outmanoeuvred his opponent with powerful takedowns and high-level grappling, impressing both coaches and spectators.

This gold adds to Cullen’s growing list of achievements, which includes a silver medal at the IMMAF European Youth Championships earlier this year, effectively placing him second in Europe in his weight class.

Now, the teenager is preparing for the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi later this year, where he will represent his country against top global athletes.

Cullen is coached by his father, Derrick Cullen, who has mentored him since his early years in martial arts. He said: “Gabriel has dedicated himself fully to this. His maturity, strength and focus are unbelievable for someone his age – and this is only the beginning.”

He added: “We’re immensely proud of Gabriel, not just for the medals, but for the discipline and humility he carries inside and outside the cage.”

To support Cullen’s world championship campaign, the family is now appealing for sponsorship from local businesses and individuals to help fund his travel and training for Abu Dhabi.