The Irish were at a disadvantage before a blow was landed, with two athletes forced to withdraw, meaning they started 0-2 down at Khalifa Sports City.

Sabrina Laurentina de Souza, a world champion, the top-ranked fighter in the women's International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) rankings and one of a number of naturalised athletes in the Bahrain team, beat Kerry Anne Vernon via submission - brought about by a rear-naked choke - to get the action going.

Haji Mohamed Ali then submitted Jordan Bradshaw to move Bahrain within one win of the title.

World champion Kurban Idrisov obliged, defeating Lewis Byrne in a unanimous decision.

Magomed Isaev defeated Jordan Furey - who had been one of the leading Irish lights - via submission.

Technical knockout victories for Ramazan Gitinov and Gadzhi Gadzhiev followed, versus Cameron Clements and Dennis Perry, while Sultan Gapizov completed the rout with a unanimous-decision win over Gustavo Lopez.

In the bronze-medal match, Kazakhstan swept Mexico.

Ireland receive $75,000 (£58,000/€69,000) as runners-up and Kazakhstan $50,000 (£38,000/€46,000).

The eight-team event was organised by the Brave Combat Federation under IMMAF rules.

It required a late change in line-up, with Ukraine unable to participate following the Russian invasion.

The Russian Mixed Martial Arts Union has been suspended by the IMMAF, so also could not compete.

Mexico and a combined Oceania team took their places.