She’s Next – WMMA Weekly Preview
Each week, I’ll highlight one women prospect on my radar and in action in the upcoming days
Sani Brännfors
Record: 1-0
Weight Class: Flyweight
Age: 20 years old
Training: Fight Ready for this fight
Combined opponents record: 3-2
Sani Brännfors was born on February 4, 2005, in Finland. She grew up in Oulu and represents Oulun Kamppailuklubi in competition. Brännfors emerged as one of Finland’s most successful amateur MMA athletes, compiling an outstanding record of 16-1 and winning titles across multiple age divisions. She is the only female athlete in International Mixed Martial Arts Federation history to claim world championship gold at the Youth, Junior, and Senior levels. She secured her first adult IMMAF world title in 2024 and added European championships to her résumé. In total, she won the World Championships three times and the European Championships twice. Her amateur career also included multiple national titles in MMA and grappling, as well as international success in submission wrestling.
Brännfors’ commitment to the sport became clear in her late teens when she chose to leave general upper secondary school to focus entirely on MMA training and competition. Her parents supported that decision, allowing her to concentrate fully on her athletic development. She has described the mental side of training as central to her approach and works closely with coach Matias Pahkala at her home gym. Outside of competition, she has mentioned enjoying spending time with her family and dogs.
In May 2025, Brännfors made her professional MMA debut at Cage MMA 66 in Helsinki, stepping into the paid ranks after an amateur career that made her widely recognized within Nordic combat sports circles. She won the fight with a second-round stoppage via TKO. Her transition to professional competition was highly anticipated, given her achievements and the consistency she displayed throughout her amateur years. Brännfors is regarded as one of the most accomplished young athletes to come out of the Finnish MMA system. She has openly stated that her long-term ambition is to compete at the highest international level of the sport, representing Finland on the global stage as her career progresses. For her next fight, she traveled to the United States to train at Fight Ready, gaining meaningful experience in one of the sport’s premier MMA gyms.
Brännfors is scheduled to return to action on Friday, December 26, when she faces Sofia “Geisha Argentina” Landi at ICF 6 in Espoo, Finland. The bout is set for the main card and will take place in the flyweight division. This outing marks a high-profile spot on the card for Brännfors, as the event features many of the most recognizable names in the Finnish MMA scene.
Let’s dive into Sani’s technical game. Brännfors stands out as a fighter who thrives on forward pressure while maintaining a rare sense of patience and calm inside the cage. She does not rush exchanges unnecessarily; instead dictating the pace with a composed presence that often forces opponents to react rather than lead. Her striking game is built on power and variety, with strong kicks, well-hidden punches, and clean combinations that allow her to attack at multiple levels. She is quick, confident, and versatile, showing a well-rounded skill set that translates smoothly between phases of the fight. Defensively, she displays solid awareness and a reliable chin, which allows her to stay composed even when exchanges get heated. Her high fight IQ is evident in how she chooses her moments, mixes her offense, and adjusts as the fight develops.
On the ground, Brännfors continues to impose herself with authority. She has good takedowns, strong wrestling, and slick grappling, complemented by an excellent top game. Once on top, she is aggressive with ground-and-pound and does a good job of controlling opponents while dealing damage. Her ability to blend striking and grappling seamlessly adds to her effectiveness, and her cardio allows her to sustain pressure over the course of a fight. Notably, her transition from amateur to professional competition has highlighted how well she is using the expanded set of tools now available to her, showing growth and adaptability in her approach.
That said, there are still areas for refinement. Her small frame can be a factor, particularly against physically imposing opponents. She can be a slow starter at times, occasionally taking a round to fully settle into her rhythm. Defensively, she does not always check kicks and can be quite hittable, a trait that was especially noticeable during her amateur career. Improving her mobility, tightening her entries, and gaining more experience at the professional level will be important steps moving forward.
At just 20 years old, Sani Brännfors already carries a résumé that few fighters can match at any stage of their career. A three-time IMMAF world champion and two-time European champion, she transitioned to the professional ranks with heavy expectations and immediately delivered. Inside the cage, she combines composure, pressure, and intelligence with a well-rounded offensive game that allows her to dictate where the fight takes place. Competing on a major Finnish card at ICF 6 represents another meaningful step forward. Given her ability to control opponents and assert herself on the mat, I predict Brännfors to win this fight by submission.
Cédric Dumas