Above: Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira presents atheltes with medals at the 2016 IMMAF World Championships in Las Vegas By IMMAF.org lead writer, Jorden Curran MMA’s iconic Nogueira brothers, Rodrigo Minotauro and Rogério Minotouro, are leading the charge for Brazil’s return this year to the IMMAF World Championships of Amateur MMA. Brazilian MMA promotion CBMMA held a national amateur championships last week as part of a year long series of sporting events that celebrate Brazil’s Olympic legacy, Extra.Globo.com reports. The contest was the only non-Olympic sport invited to take part. CABMMA – Brazil’s national regulatory body for mixed martial arts and representative to IMMAF – has not put forward an amateur world championships team since 2014 when the now UFC contender Amanda Ribas earned the gold medal in the women’s flyweight division. Last year the Nogueira brothers attended the 2016 IMMAF World Championship Finals in Las Vegas and took part in the medal presentation ceremonies. Impressed by the event, Minotauro, a former UFC and Pride heavyweight champion, expressed his desire to put in motion the return of Brazil’s national amateur team. [caption id="attachment_14616" align="alignright" width="642"]
2016 World Championships, from left to right: IMMAF president Kerrith Brown, former director of brand & commerce David Allen, Rogério Nogueira, Rodrigo Nogueira.[/caption] Ahead of the 2017 IMMAF World Championships, the MMA Amador Olympic Park Cup took place on August 5 and was sponsored by Brazil’s Ministry of Sports. Per translation, “We are very happy to be the only non-Olympic sport in this celebration. It is a sign that we are on the right track, always showing the good side of our sport, such as respect and discipline,” said Minotauro, director of CBMMA and Creator of the event. Competitors and bouts were chosen through a nominated technical committee and based on competitor history and experience. The event was complimented by an educational gathering for public school students that included the teaching of social projects and a training seminar of basic MMA skills lead by the Nogueira brothers alongside a host of top Brazilian MMA professionals including Poliana Botelho, Jéssica Andrade, Alan Nuguette, Thiago Marreta and Davi Ramos.]]>
