Spotlight on SAFE MMA Fighters
At just 16 years old, Olivia Babiarz has already built a resume that many seasoned fighters would envy. Hailing from Ireland, the young prodigy is the reigning IMMAF Youth European Champion, a two-time IMMAF Youth World Champion, a three-time IMMAA National Champion, and recently added the title of WBC Youth European Champion to her growing list of accolades. But for Olivia, this is only the beginning.
In 2025 alone, she’s competed across a wide range of combat sports, showcasing the kind of versatility and hunger that defines elite athletes. From earning silver medals in both Gi and No-Gi divisions at Grapple Industries, to snatching gold with a slick armbar at ADCC, Olivia’s presence on the mat has become a familiar—and feared—one.
She’s also proven herself under striking rules, securing a victory in a low-kick bout at the ISKA Open and sweeping gold at a recent wrestling event. Most notably, she dominated the IMMAA National Youth MMA Open, winning both of her bouts via submission.
“These matches help me grow as a fighter,” Olivia explains. “Whether I win or lose, I always take something valuable from the experience. Facing new opponents forces me to adapt, and that’s where real improvement happens.”
Her journey into MMA began early. At just four years old, she took up taekwondo. By age seven, she had moved on to Muay Thai, and at ten, she added wrestling to her skill set. But it was at 11, when she started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, that she truly found her passion.
“I absolutely fell in love with BJJ,” she recalls. “But it was when my coach, Danni McCormack, introduced me to MMA that everything clicked. I loved the idea of combining everything I’d trained in —Muay Thai, wrestling, BJJ—into one sport.”
Her breakout moment came in 2021 at the IMMAF Youth World Championships, where she earned a bronze medal. “That experience lit a spark in me. Being in the arena, striking, taking someone down—that feeling was incredible.”
Part of that commitment includes working with Safe MMA, as the voluntary body overseeing medical safety for fighters in the UK and Ireland. “Safe MMA has always been easy to work with,” Joyner says. “Competitor health is vital. Avoidable incidents can cast a dark shadow over the sport. With proper testing, a lot of that risk can be avoided.”
Now juggling the life of a student-athlete, Olivia admits the balance isn’t always easy. Yet, her discipline speaks volumes. She maintains solid academic marks, coaches Muay Thai and BJJ classes for younger kids at her gym, and spends weekends helping at home, studying, or getting in extra workouts: “I’ve built a schedule that works for me,” she says. “It’s busy, but I love it.”
Though her confidence is now clear, Olivia shares that it wasn’t always this way. “When I first started MMA, I wasn’t very confident. I felt anxious before matches. But the more I trained and competed, the more that confidence grew. It takes time and effort, but every bout makes you stronger mentally.”
Looking ahead, Olivia may be stepping into the ring again this September. Whether it’s a Muay Thai or MMA bout, she’s preparing hard, focusing on conditioning and sharpening her footwork.
“Winning means more than just those few minutes people see,” she says. “It represents the hours—days, even—that I’ve put in at the gym. It’s a reward for all the work behind the scenes.”
Beyond physical fitness, Olivia credits MMA with positively impacting her mental health too. “It’s kept me active and helped me build confidence—not just in competing, but also as a coach. I’ve made a lot of friends through the sport.”
A strong supporter of fighter safety, she praises Safe MMA for their role in protecting athletes. “With a sport like this, proper medical testing and safety protocols are so important. It makes it possible for people like me to do what we love in a safe environment.”
Her long-term goals are crystal clear. “I want to get into the UFC and become a well-known fighter,” she says with quiet determination. “But more than that, I want to inspire others. I want people to know that they can chase their dreams, no matter how far away they seem. I hope to be someone’s idol—someone who shows that hard work and belief can take you anywhere.”
Olivia Babiarz may still be in her teens, but her mindset, work ethic, and talent are that of a champion in the making. The world of MMA is watching—and it’s only a matter of time before Olivia becomes a household name.
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