Mannonov won the junior super-heavyweight title at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi - the first World Championship gold for the Central Asian nation.

It was a stylish victory, too, as he submitted Dmitry Babaev of the Russian Mixed Martial Arts Union with a kimura lock in the second round of the semi-finals.

In the final, the referee stepped in to stop proceedings when he took on Mykyta Tsybulia of Ukraine, the Tajik winning by TKO. 

"I'm very happy because I got very big experience in the MMA World Championships," Mannonov said.

"This was the first time for me and I got a gold medal, for me it's a top achievement.

"I'm sorry for my team-mates, their fights were so close. 

"But the tournament was top level, it was beautiful and the organisation of it all was very good.

"First, I represent my country, this win was for my country and my family and for me."