Pictured: Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad celebrates with Gamzat Magomedov on his winning of a gold medal for Bahrain The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation’s World Championships is set to return to Bahrain in 2018, as announced at IMMAF’s General Assembly on Friday 17 November. IMMAF’s annual, nation vs nation, amateur MMA tournament ended yesterday in Manama on a high. A successful collaboration between IMMAF and the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Association, with support from the office of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad, has laid strong foundations for future years’ events in Bahrain. The Championships was IMMAF’s biggest to date, with 248 athletes taking part. With the backing of the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the royal endorsement, the event enjoyed a prestigious platform and was broadcast internationally via Bahrain TV. 
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said: “I cannot thank their Highnesses Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa enough for their passionate support of MMA. On behalf of IMMAF I would like to thank the Bahrain MMA Federation, headed by Colonel Khalid Al Khayyat, and the HHSK royal office for their generous hospitality over the 2017 IMMAF World Championships. I would like to thank also all the staff and volunteers who worked so hard to achieve an incredible and aspirational event. “It really felt like the Olympics, from the airport welcomes and Opening Ceremony to the national participation and coverage, through to the Closing Ceremony and Awards. The level of medical care was unparalleled, and our hosts were generous too in the entertainment they laid on for athletes no longer in competition – from trips to the local camel farm to Wahooo water park. “We very much look forward to developing our working relationship with Bahrain in preparation for a much anticipated return in the final quarter of 2018.”]]>
IMMAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TO RETURN TO BAHRAIN IN 2018
