This membership is a step forward for MMA everywhere as the world of martial arts turns to Brazil for inspiration” says IMMAF President August Wallén. “Brazil has had and continues to have a great impact on the development of MMA, and for the sport to be properly organized on a national level means great progress. The IMMAF has devoted much time into finding the right solution for the representation of this great MMA community, and I am happy to welcome the CABMMA as a member.” The CABMMA is already up and running when it comes to the governance of professional MMA, and will now work to develop into a national federation that represents MMA in every aspect of the sport. The first official event that the CABMMA supervises is a UFC event in the Ibirapuera Arena, Sao Paulo, tomorrow January 19th. “The purpose of the CABMMA is to assure an adequate environment for the practice and teaching of MMA in Brazil, with focus on the ethical conduct of the parties involved and the total safety of the practitioners” says CABMMA Executive Giovanni Biscardi. “There are many involved with MMA in Brazil and we aim to be the focal point of the sport that they can turn to. We look forward to reaching out to the key players of the MMA community, and we invite all actors, commercial and non-profit, to join up and support the formation of this federation.” “Brazil is a sizeable country that is fairly fragmented when it comes to MMA, and no existing organization has had a formal, nation-wide position to work from. The CABMMA is a fresh start that we believe is needed for MMA to grow and for all parties to come together, a key requirement of IMMAF membership. We also have complete faith in the board to represent MMA with the Brazilian government and further the position of MMA among Brazilian sports, ensuring a strong platform for MMA in all of South America” says Erika Mattsson, Director of Communications for the IMMAF. In the spring of 2013 the IMMAF and the CABMMA will together host a National Summit in Rio de Janeiro open to all those interested in the development of MMA in Brazil. More information on the Summit will follow.]]>
