Picture: Team France Federation: Commission Française de Mixed Martial Arts Number of competitors: 8 In its purest form, MMA is still greatly restricted in France, with many French practitioners competing under pankration rules. The Commission Française de Mixed Martial Arts (CFMMA) are working tirelessly to change this and it is obvious that there is a clear sign of change progressing in their country. This is what makes the previous success of the French National team even more astounding, with their ability to produce top level amateur talent as abundant as any other IMMAF member federation. Although this year’s French team may be lacking any former IMMAF medallists, their performances at previous IMMAF World and European events have proven that they always come prepared. Most recently, at the European Open Team France claimed two Bronze medals through Celine Provost (145lbs) and Alexis Guilleux (135lbs). At the 2015 World Championships, France raided the medal’s table, picking up four IMMAF prizes including a Gold for 125lber Iurie Bejenari. Women’s bantamweight Lucie Bertaud also won a Silver medal while Nicolas Ott (145lbs) and Allan Guichard (265lbs) both took Bronze. With their homeland hosting the European football pinnacle, UEFA Euro 2016, the CFMMA team will be looking to find their own success away from home and return to France to show that despite their restrictions, their level of progression in MMA is just as good as anywhere else in the world. Attend the 2016 IMMAF World Championships at UFC International Fight Week™ in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA): July 5 – 7, Las Vegas Convention Center FREE ENTRY July 8 & 10, UFC Fan Expo® BUY TICKETS: ufc.com/event-ticket-info FOLLOW the results live at mynextmatch.com or on Twitter at @IMMAFed]]>
