[Pictured: New venue, the Pala Pellicone in Rome, set up for FIGMMA national MMA and grappling tournaments] MMA world governing body, IMMAF – WMMAA, has today announced the moving of the 2019 European and Junior European Championships from Belfast to Rome. The dates of the five-day amateur MMA tournament remain as scheduled, from 17 to 23 June 2019. There has been a lot of uncertainty in the wake of Brexit as the United Kingdom navigates its exit from the European Union. It is not yet clear how various factors affecting the Championships may be impacted, such as travel to and from the UK, currency and insurance for competitors. UAMMA fully intends to host a major amateur MMA event in the near future with full backing from local government and significant funders. However, to mitigate any potential disruptions and to confidently guarantee a stable platform for the Championships, the IMMAF leadership is grateful to FIGMMA (Federazione Italiana Grappling Mixed Martial Arts) for stepping in as late hosts. FIGMMA is already set to host the inaugural Youth MMA Championships for under 18s in Rome in August, and the same venue and infrastructure will now also be utilised for the European Championships. Danny Corr of the Ulster Amateur MMA Association said: “We are disappointed that we have had to review hosting this event in June. We have worked hard over the last 18 months to gain major support from the local government, medical teams and event organisers. We are determined to be able to announce another major MMA event in the very near future.” IMMAF President, Kerrith Brown, said: “We are hugely grateful to Danny Corr and the Ulster Amateur MMA Association for the incredible groundwork they have committed to the originally planned event in Northern Ireland. None of this work is lost, as foundations have been laid and relationships built that can, without doubt, facilitate an exceptional event once the UK political horizon is more certain. At the same time, we can equally give thanks to FIGMMA who have stepped up to the plate to take the 2019 European Championships onto Italian soil. FIGMMA is recognised by FIJLKAM (Italian Judo Wrestling Karate Martial Arts Federation), the NOC recognised organisation that governs the sports of judo, wrestling, karate and martial arts in Italy, and has long experience in hosting properly regulated MMA competitions. We have every confidence that the Championships will be no less of a success in the beautiful, historic city of Rome.” FIGMMA President, Saverio Longo, said: “I am very proud to be organising the IMMAF – WMMAA European Championships in Rome, together with Vito Paolillo, FIGMMA’s Vice-president. I want to thank IMMAF – WMMAA presidents, Kerrith Brown and Vadim Finkelchtein, and CEO Densign White for the trust they have given us, and I want to thank FIJLKAM President Domenico Falcone for granting us use of the temple of Italian martial arts, the Pala Pellicone of Ostia, a marvellous venue on the Roman seafront, where the tournament will take place. We are committed to delivering, for the participating national teams, a well organised tournament and a comfortable stay in the beautiful city of Rome.” Athlete registration for the 2019 IMMAF- WMMAA European and Junior European Championships will open in the coming weeks. Interested competitors should contact their national federation for advice on how to apply. Video Highlights: Italian National MMA Cup hosted recently by FIGMMA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXFRHnhh1jA]]>
IMMAF – WMMAA 2019 European Championships Moves to Rome
