International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) brought you details of the upcoming ban on IV rehydration via IMMAF CEO Densign White who was present for discussions at the 2015 Annual Convention of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) in San Diego, USA. Today we bring you a review of IMMAF’s role at the ABC meet with reports from both Densign White and USA Mixed Martial Arts Federation (UMMAF) Director of Operations Ryan Brueggeman (pictured refereeing at the IMMAF World Championships of Amateur MMA). As explained in Tuesday’s article, the main objective of their trip was to further inform and introduce the various State Directors to both IMMAF and UMMAF, and their international role in supporting Amateur MMA globally. “I was giving some background info to the organisation, the relationship with UMMAF and the UFC,” explained the IMMAF CEO. “UMMAF were trying to open doors to the various state commissioners. Since the presentation with Ryan Brueggeman and Frank Babcock, some progress seems to have been made. “The presentations seem to have been very well received and our relationship to UFC definitely is a plus that elevates our position and credibility.” In addition to the previously reported discussions regarding the IV ban, an in depth seminar was conducted that gave insight into all banned substances. “All aspects of anti-doping were covered including presentations from some very imminent physicians who explained in detail each of the banned substances and their impact on the body, short term and long term. Anabolic steroids, diuretics, amphetamines and the recreational drugs, Marijuana and cocaine. Obviously, education is key to preventing the proliferation of drug abuse.” Furthermore, the IMMAF CEO also met with anti-doping expert Jeff Novitzky, who was announced in April as the UFC’s Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance. “I also met with Jeff Novitzky who was recently appointed by the UFC to tackle these doping matters. It was a brief meeting and we have agreed to meet again in Dublin in October at the next UFC event in Europe. Our consultant, Michele Verroken, who has supported IMMAF in the anti-doping policy framework, will also attend. “Critically, we need to become a signatory to the WADA code. That work has already begun and we have started in competition tests at the world championships. At the same time the UFC have stepped up their game and have signed a contract with USADA to carry out an out-of-competition testing programme as well as to provide education to their athletes globally. “This is a huge investment and bringing in Jeff Novitsky demonstrates their seriousness further. We also need to reach a point where we can have a whereabouts system. The stumbling block for us is cost. So we are looking at what we can do in partnership with the UFC in this regard. Failing that we hope to convince WADA to allow us to use their ADAMS system which will be at little or no cost to IMMAF.” UMMAF’s Ryan Bruggeman explained why the ABC convention provided an abundance of opportunity to further the cause of the domestic governing body, as he broke down the complexity of the nation’s sanctioning system: “In the United States we have a federal government and each state has their own government as well. “Each state government has appointed an athletic commission to oversee combat sports within those states. Usually each state commission sanctions MMA events themselves to collect revenue and sanctioning fees, making it difficult for a third party such as UMMAF to sanction MMA events. “It is also left up to each state commission to enforce rules approved by each state government. In theory, each state commission is a member of the ABC and has approved the unified rules, however each state government is the deciding factor in allowing those rules or modifying them within their borders. This makes unifying each state under one rule set, and sanctioning events very difficult for UMMAF. “The presentation to the ABC commission was given to alleviate the state commissioners’ fears of revenue loss. It was also to solidify the relationship between UMMAF and each state by introducing the UMMAF rule set, which in many cases is safer than each states’ rules for amateur competition. We introduced co-sanctioning opportunities in partnership with each state, educated the ABC on our goals for Olympic recognition, the promotion of fighters within their borders, as well as their opportunities for international competition. “The presentation was accompanied by a bullet point presentation. The results so far have been positive with several states inviting UMMAF in for sanctioning opportunities and an increase in membership. Some states have also invited us in for a private presentation with their commissioners. “This is still a work in progress. The many challenges we face here have made sanctioning very difficult. However, our team remains dedicated in moving forward; and convincing commissions and promoters of our goals and that cooperation with UMMAF can be beneficial.” Pictured: Ryan Bruggeman of UMMAF officiating at the 2015 IMMAF World Championships [/spb_text_block]]]>
