Liam Thor Mayes carries the weight of expectation lightly for a sixteen-year-old. In just over a month, the Brackenhurst teenager will step into the cage at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi, representing South Africa against some of the world’s most talented young mixed martial artists. The journey to this moment has demanded years of discipline, sacrifice and relentless training, but for Liam, it represents another crucial step toward a much larger dream.
His path to the August championships began in April, when he competed at the 2026 South African MMA Nationals in Vanderbijlpark. Fighting in the U18, U65.8kg division, he secured a bronze medal that earned him selection to the national team. The performance was decisive enough to confirm his place alongside fellow competitors from Valhalla MMA in Alberton, where he trains under coach Shane Carr. Teagan and Tannith Snyman, along with Josef Moosa, will join him as part of Team South Africa for the championships running from August 16 to 23.
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Preparation extends beyond his home gym. Liam has worked extensively with professional EFC fighters Coenie Lamprecht and Bryn Gwavava, athletes who have helped him develop the technical depth and mental toughness required at elite levels of competition. That mentorship has shaped not just his fighting ability but his understanding of what it takes to succeed in the sport.
The foundation for his mixed martial arts career began earlier than most. At age twelve, Liam discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and committed to the discipline. A year later, he expanded his training to include boxing, MMA and Muay Thai, building the well-rounded skill set that characterizes modern combat athletes. Before grappling and striking entered the picture, he had already trained in karate, establishing early habits of focus and respect for martial tradition.
This will be Liam’s second appearance at the IMMAF Youth World Championships. In 2025, he represented South Africa in the U16 division at the championships in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, finishing seventh in the world in his category. Returning with another year of maturity and experience, he aims to improve significantly on that result.
When asked about the opportunity, Liam spoke with clarity about what the moment means to him. “Representing South Africa again is a huge honour and something I have worked incredibly hard for. Every training session, every competition and every challenge has helped me grow as an athlete and as a person. My goal is to give my best in Abu Dhabi, make my country proud and continue working towards my dream of one day competing in the UFC. I am grateful to my coaches, teammates, family and everyone who has supported me on this journey,” he said.
The financial reality of competing at this level is substantial. The estimated cost of the trip is R35 000, covering flights, accommodation, competition entry fees, team kit, visa costs, airport transfers and general expenses. For a teenage athlete and his family, that figure represents a serious commitment to his sporting ambitions.
His long-term vision extends far beyond Abu Dhabi. The UFC remains his ultimate goal, and he views each competition as a stepping stone toward it. As he prepares to represent Alberton and South Africa on one of the biggest youth MMA stages in the world, the question that will follow him into the cage is whether a seventh-place finish from 2025 is the ceiling or simply the starting point.