WISSAM ABI NADER (LEBANON), STEWART BRAIN (AUSTRALIA) AND RAYMOND PHILLIPS (SOUTH AFRICA)
FOUNDER AUGUST WALLEN AWARDED HONORARY PRESIDENCY
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is excited to announce three additions to its Board of Directors following IMMAF’s first General Assembly on 12
th July in Las Vegas (USA), at the LinQ Hotel and Casino. The newly elected candidates are Raymond Phillips of Mixed Martial Arts South Africa, Wissam Abi Nader of the Lebanese Mixed Martial Arts Committee and Stuart Brain of the Mixed Martial Arts Federation Australia. Founder, former president and current Board Director August Wallen was also awarded the title of Honorary President.
RAYMOND PHILLIPS – SOUTH AFRICA 
Raymond is a former world champion kickboxer and current coach and administrator who is playing a key role in MMA development in South Africa. Starting at the age seven, Raymond trained in Karate, competing internationally for South Africa and receiving his country’s national colours. He made the switch to kickboxing in his late 20s and has been an instructor as well as continued his training ever since. He started his own organisation in 2004 and has built it up to be one of the top three kickboxing organisations in South Africa. Raymond opened up his school to other combat styles, including Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu and combat grappling. He trains both professional and amateur MMA competitors and was privileged to coach his national team for the IMMAF World Championships in 2014 and 2015. He currently holds the positions of Vice-president for MMA-SA and President of Amateur MMA-SA. He is an executive member of the South African Kickboxing Association and chairperson of his province (Ekurhuleni) for kickboxing and MMA.
WISSAM ABI NADER – LEBANON 
During his athletic career, Wissam Abi Nader attained the accolades of 12-time consecutive Lebanese Judo champion, 1st West Asian Ju-Jitsu champion, runner-up in the Asian Sambo championships and came 3
rd place in the Sambo World Cup in 2011. His success lead him into coaching and to eventually form his own team which also competed at international level. He was also given the honour of coaching the Lebanese National Sambo and Combat Sambo teams, with the latter placing first four-years running at the Arab Championships. It was in 2001 that Wissam became hooked on MMA and is a pioneer of the sport’s development in the region. He is responsible, along with IMMAF consultant Dr Nadim Nassif, for creating the first MMA club in Lebanon. This lead to the formation of the Lebanese Mixed Martial Arts Committee. After organising the first Lebanese MMA Championship in 2010, Wissam was elected president of the Lebanese MMA Committee and oversaw the first ever Arab amateur MMA championship. Wissam has worked closely with FILA, a recognised sports federation by the Internal Olympic Committee, and this relationship lead him to the IMMAF.
STEWART BRAIN 
Olympian Stewart Brain has competed internationally in Judo since 1974, reaching the quarter finals of the Seoul Games in 1988 in the 73 kilo category. He has been involved in the sports administration since 1985 and has served as National Administration Coaching Director, National Sports Commissioner and National Secretary for the Judo Federation Australia. He established the Kokodan Commission and Kata Commission of Australia and was also the Judo National Team coach. Away from Judo Stewart runs his own construction business. [/spb_text_block]]]>
