IMMAF Congress Meeting and highlighted the developments in MMA regulation in Portugal following the tragic death of professional Portuguese competitor Joao Carvalho, who sadly passed away following a match at TEF 1 at The National Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, on 9 April. The incident provoked significant reform in Ireland with discussions taking place for government recognition of the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association (formerly known as IAPA), as well as further advancement in medical safety within the UK scene. The Portuguese body continues its push for full government recognition while currently part funded under the IOC recognized national wrestling federation, the Federação Portuguesa de Lutas Amadoras (FPLA). CAPMMA will be setting an example for the nation on October 9 with thorough medical safety standards, including blood testing, on-site medical experts, and emergency contingencies. “Everyone has to have the legal sports medical exam needed in Portugal,” Barneto explained, “plus showing HIV, Hepatitis B and C negative tests that are no more than 6 months old. We will have at least one ambulance with life support systems and two paramedics, along with two doctors, during the fights and evaluating competitors before and after the fights. “Since our event in April, all events done or related with CAPMMA are following these medical needs and that will not change. If we have MMA recognized by the Government by the end of the year, something I am pretty sure will happen, we will enforce it to everyone. Most of the serious events here are already working with us and following this standard.” The 2016 IMMAF European Open Championships welcomes Amateur MMA competitors from member countries as selected by their national, IMMAF affiliated federation. 210 athletes competed at the recent 2016 IMMAF World Championships at UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas; and with its dynamic European membership, the IMMAF European Open is expected to at least match the World Championships in numbers. The tournament will see IMMAF Worlds medal winners of 2016 looking to maintain a successful year, and European Open medallists from 2015 returning to defend or surpass last year’s accolades. https://vimeo.com/173646643 By IMMAF.org lead writer and website manager, Jorden Curran]]>
