Garba will return home as double European champion - the only athlete at the tournament to do so - after winning gold in both the men's under-93-kilograms elite MMA and striking MMA finals.

The 25-year-old defeated Moldovan Dmitri Ceacusta by submission in the MMA final, and then returned to the ring to beat Spain's Alberto Blanco Marina by survivor rule in the striking final.

"I’m not sure I really won the second fight because it was no contest, but anyway, I just wanted to fight as much as I could and that’s why I chose to enter the striking MMA category, too," said Garba.

"These championships have been great and it’s my first experience of a big tournament like this, so I am happy that I won.

"It is really important to have these European Championships as one day I want to see MMA on the Olympic Games programme."

The Czech Republic enjoyed a strong showing at the championships, finishing with five gold, two silver and four bronze medals which was good enough for second place overall behind runaway winners Ukraine, who ended with a haul of 12 gold, eight silver and six bronze medals.

"It has been a tremendous European Championship here in Kyiv," said GAMMA President Alexander Engelhardt.

"We have seen a number of excellent matches across all weight categories and in the two disciplines - MMA and striking MMA.

"With some fans being allowed into the stadium it helped with the atmosphere and you could see the positive impact that had on the Ukrainian athletes.

"I would like to thank the UF-MMA and its President Volodymyr Teslia as well as all those who have worked so hard to make this event happen so successfully.

"After a small celebration tonight, our focus will shift immediately to the World Championships in Berlin next month, which I am sure will be another fantastic event for the global MMA community."

All the medallists in Ukraine will receive higher seedings at the 2021 GAMMA World Championships, set to take place from December 7 to 11.