The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) welcomes its newest member in the United Arab Emirates, the UAE Mixed Martial Arts Federation (UAEMMAF).
The UAE boasts a historical role in the development of the sport of MMA and is globally renowned for the hosting of flagship MMA and martial arts events, including in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Indeed, Abu Dhabi has fostered an international reputation as the Jiu-Jitsu Capital of the World. Now, the newly formed UAEMMAF, registered in Abu Dhabi, aims to be the official regulator and provider of both amateur and professional MMA in the territory, responsible its governance and technical development.
UAEMMAF President H.E Abdulmenem al Hashmi has stood also as the President of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation since its inception. An athlete and a Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt, H.E. also holds the posts of Vice-President of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF), Chairman of the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union (JJAU) and Chairman of Palms Sports, alongside governmental appointments.
The UAEMMAF plans to promote the development of MMA in the UAE, regionally and internationally in tandem with the sport of Jiu-Jitsu.
UAEMMAF President H.E Abdulmenem Sayed Mohamed Alhashmi commented:
“We are very pleased to become a member of the very distinguished International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and we are certain we will be able to catapult the sport in our beloved UAE and the world as we did with the sport of Jiu-Jitsu. Hence, on behalf of my colleagues and members of the Board of Directors, I want to congratulate IMMAF for their continued success in safeguarding and promoting the sport of MMA amongst many other achievements. Today, our beloved UAE has become a destination for MMA, and Abu Dhabi has been referred to as the new capital city of MMA as it is also the world capital city of Jiu-Jitsu. We are determined to build on this success and disseminate the sport of MMA across all facets and tiers of our communities.”
IMMAF Board Director and Regional Director for Asia, Wissam Abi Nader, said:
“I’m really happy to see the UAE Mixed Martial Arts Federation join the IMMAF family. The UAE is a pioneering country in the Middle East for the hosting of largescale MMA events, such as the UFC. And now in the eyes of many, it is becoming the world capital for MMA following the ground-breaking UFC Fight Island events. We’ve witnessed huge success for the sport of Jiu-jitsu in the territory, under the leadership of H.E Abdelmenem Al Hachemi, and I’m confident that the sport of MMA is in safe hands under his patronage and his team.”
IMMAF President, Kerrith Brown, said:
“The joining of the UAEMMAF marks a turning point for the further development of MMA in the Middle East, expanding on the significant footprint already laid by the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation as driven by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad and Mohammed Shahid. It also opens the door for some exciting opportunities which we look forward to evolving with our new member. I would like to especially thank UAEMMAF President H.E Abdulmenem Sayed Mohamed Al Hashmi, Secretary Mohammed Jassim Mohammed Alhosani and Director Fouad Fahmi Darwish, alongside IMMAF Board Director Wissam Abi Nader, for their work to bring this latest membership signing to fruition.”
Follow the UAE Mixed Martial Arts Federation on Instagram: UAEMMAF
