Coach Konc after IMMAF Worlds: “Medals don’t come overnight”
After the 2026 IMMAF World Championships in Tbilisi, Slovak national team coach Richard Konc openly names where Slovak amateur MMA lags behind the world and what must change for it to win medals regularly. He also explains the selection criteria for the 2027 Europeans in Belgrade.
Konc sees Samuel Krutý’s points loss to Max Stary of the USA as a valuable experience. “At this level even a small thing can affect the scoring. We had a game plan, but we didn’t manage to follow it 100%,” he admitted. “Samuel is still only 18. In my view his potential is very high, but I don’t want to limit him with predictions.”
The world vs Slovakia
He sees the gap between the junior world elite and Slovakia in quality, experience and readiness. “Details, physical preparation, tactical thinking and the ability to react under pressure decide. Slovakia has talented athletes, but there is still room to improve conditions and systematic preparation.”
He rates the Slovak team’s performance in Tbilisi positively, highlighting Michal Kuzma’s knockout. “Our fighters showed they can compete on the international stage.”
The recipe for medals
“The basis is systematic, long-term work with young athletes. We need quality training conditions, enough sparring partners, more international experience and support for clubs and fighters. Medals don’t come overnight – they are the result of long-term work by the whole team,” Konc stressed.
Selection for Belgrade
Selection for the 2027 IMMAF European Championships in Belgrade will also be decided at MAMMAL 65 Special (22 Nov 2026, Trenčín) and MAMMAL 66 (20 Dec 2026, Partizánske). “Current form, results, readiness and the ability to compete internationally should decide. Discipline and attitude to training matter too,” he explained.
His message to clubs: “We shouldn’t see other clubs only as competitors, but also as partners with whom we can move Slovak MMA forward.”
