The story of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team that grew into an international mixed martial arts academy in Istanbul.
Founded in Istanbul in 2014, The Last Round MMA began as a small and dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team. Built on technical instruction, discipline and a strong team culture, it gradually developed into one of Istanbul’s recognised mixed martial arts academies.
The team has produced national champions and professional athletes who have competed in internationally recognised organisations including ONE Championship, Bellator MMA, UAE Warriors, BRAVE Combat Federation, PFL MENA and Absolute Championship Akhmat.
Today, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, grappling, Muay Thai, striking and professional MMA training operate under one structured system. The academy’s identity has been shaped by coaches from Türkiye, Dagestan, Sweden and Thailand, and by athletes who have represented the team around the world.
Each chapter added a new coach, athlete, facility or international milestone to the identity of the team.
Last Round was founded in Istanbul as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team and martial arts club. Its early years centred on technical BJJ instruction, disciplined training and a strong team culture—the foundations of the complete MMA academy that would follow.
Mixed martial arts officially entered the programme. Swedish BJJ coach Mathias Scheimann joined the team, helping develop its grappling system and strengthen its technical jiu-jitsu foundation. Last Round began its transformation from a specialised BJJ club into a complete MMA team.
Dagestani MMA coach Azamat Gashimov brought a major step forward in wrestling, grappling and competition preparation. Working together in management and technical development, Egemen Baranok and Azamat created a more structured system for amateur competitors and professional fighters.
Last Round established its permanent headquarters in Esenyurt, creating a home for regular MMA, BJJ, wrestling, grappling and striking classes.
The team won its first Turkish national MMA championship. Head coach and athlete Egemen Baranok also won national titles in MMA and grappling, establishing Last Round as an increasingly competitive name in Türkiye.
Thai striking coach Kru Don joined as head striking coach and introduced high-level Muay Thai methodology to the MMA system. Emran Hafizoğlu and Fatih Şentürk made their professional MMA debuts, while the team secured another Turkish national MMA title.
Sabriye Şengül represented the team in Bellator MMA and UAE Warriors.
Undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov visited Last Round and trained at the academy.
He also conducted a martial arts seminar for athletes and combat-sports enthusiasts from across the region.
His visit became one of the most memorable events in the history of Last Round.
In 2020, Egemen Baranok assumed full leadership of Last Round as the academy’s only head coach.
BJJ, wrestling, grappling and striking were connected within a complete MMA structure, supporting beginners and recreational members while maintaining a professional environment for amateur competitors and elite fighters.
In 2021, Last Round athletes Milad Houssaini, Isfak Seyid and Enes Ersay represented the team at Vendetta Fight Nights.
Their victories demonstrated the growth of the professional fight team, introduced a new generation to the European MMA scene and prepared Isfak for the next stage of his international career.
On 8 September 2023, Isfak “General” Seyid faced Konstantin Marareskul at ONE Friday Fights 32 inside Bangkok’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. His judo, takedowns, pressure and grappling control earned a unanimous-decision victory.
The result became one of the most important international achievements by a Last Round athlete and placed the team on the ONE Championship stage.
Iranian heavyweight Amir Aliakbari joined the Last Round training environment during his ACA preparation and defeated Salimgirey Rasulov by first-round TKO at ACA 190.
Amir “The Prince” Fazli delivered a powerful second-round knockout victory over Rostem Akman at PFL MENA.
The victory advanced Fazli to the welterweight semifinals.
Mohammad “The Latest” Fakhreddine won his third BRAVE CF world championship.
The result further established Fakhreddine as one of the Middle East’s most accomplished mixed martial artists and a three-time BRAVE CF world champion.
İlknur Kurt earned a third-round body-kick stoppage at UAE Warriors 66.
The Saudi Arabia National MMA Team selected Last Round for an international camp, demonstrating the academy’s capacity to prepare elite athletes and national delegations.
Last Round had grown far beyond its original identity as a small BJJ club. It had become an international MMA training centre in Istanbul, welcoming professional fighters, national teams, international coaches and athletes from many backgrounds.
Its mission remains unchanged: develop skilled, disciplined and confident martial artists through real training, professional coaching and a strong team environment.
Last Round’s history belongs not only to its championships, but to every athlete, coach and team member who contributed to its growth. The journey continues from Istanbul to the world’s biggest martial arts stages.