IMMAF, the world governing body for amateur Mixed Martial Arts, is proud to welcome Venezuela as its latest international observational member.
Venezuela becomes the 13th IMMAF member in the Pan-American Area, joining Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, El Salvador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said: “MMA is growing fast around the world with the Pan-American region one of the most diverse and dedicated. IMMAF is consistently investing in the continent with sports’ development resources, and we are excited about the potential of this region, especially with the Pan-American Open Championships heading to Cancun, Mexico in May, which is a renowned destination for combat sports.”
Mauricio Delgado, IMMAF’s representative in Venezuela, runs the Fundacion Pugilatus, the most important combat sports promotion in Venezuela which is involved in the development of MMA, Boxing and Kick Boxing at both amateur and professional level.
“Venezuela is very proud to become the latest member of the IMMAF family” said Delgado, “and we are working hard to develop the Venezuelan Federation. Through the MMA Venezuela Alliance, we have united the 18 MMA clubs in the country, which is equivalent to 60% of the entire MMA amateur community.”
The priorities for Venezuela are to create the necessary administrative and competition structures as well as coaching and technical official certification pathways. “We are looking forward to preparing a Venezuelan team for IMMAF events in 2020, starting at the Pan-Am Open and with the goal of competing at the World Champs at the end of the season,” said Delgado.
