2016 World Championships: Team Australia in Focus

Federation: International Mixed Martial Arts Federation Of Australia Number of Competitors: 5 In a first venture to UFC International Fight Week™ the Australian National Team will make a near 20-hour trip to Las Vegas with aspirations to jumpstart its IMMAF campaign with some Gold, Silver and Bronze. Australia’s inclusion at the 2016 IMMAF World Championships comes off the back of a nationally definitive 2015 for the sport of mixed martial arts. Under a new elected government, Sports Minister John Ehren lifted the ban on ‘the cage’ for professional mixed martial arts competition, a historic move for the sport in the Victoria area. This paved the way for the Ultimate Fighting Championship to hold UFC 193 PPV in Melbourne, to see Holly Holm dethrone then champion Ronda Rousey in front of 56,214 live fans. The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation of Australia hosted its final team selections at the Australian National Championships of Amateur MMA. The event took place at the legendary Arnold Classic Multi-Sports Festival in Melbourne. This coincided with the UFC’s Fight Night in Brisbane, showcasing how grassroots and premier level leagues can work in tandem to promote MMA. The 5-member Australian squad includes undefeated female prospects, Brenda Tran and Yyvonne Chow alongside amateur veteran Eben Cox. Under the supervision of former U.S. Muay Thai Boxing Champion, Ed Bavelock (Head Coach of Kimekai MMA with 31 years coaching experience), Team Australia enters the #2016Worlds with high hopes of success at its first ever international IMMAF event.