By Ross Patterson
The English Mixed Martial Arts Association (EMMAA) is ready for a tough challenge at the IMMAF World Championships in Abu Dhabi. But they are confident they can win medals and will be looking to move up the International rankings. On the 3rd of January, the UK was moved to the Covid red list for the UAE, and Covid is still disrupting movement between countries.
The EMMAA held trials in December which attracted talent from all over the UK. The 2021 IMMAF World Championships were cancelled and rescheduled to January 2022. But despite having a short window in which to work EMMAA knuckled down to the job. Despite trying circumstances, a team was formed, funds raised, and the squad are now ready to fly to Abu Dhabi (Covid dependant!).
EMMAA coach, Andrew Fisher, said:
“Our target is to win medals. Unfortunately due to the situation we are in it’s been a bit of a rushed way of getting a squad together, but I’m confident we have a few guys in the mix who have a good chance of winning medals.”
Teddy Adlington-Stringer, the Almighty Fighting Championship Lightweight Champion, is returning to IMMAF competition. Teddy competed in the 2019 IMMAF World Championships. A highly regarded mixed martial artist in the UK, he will be looking to use his experience to challenge for a medal in the welterweight division.
Two young athletes from TFT MMA – Daniel Bainbridge and Jamie Roper – impressed everyone at the trials. Daniel will be in the senior bantamweight division and Jamie in the Juniors. It will be an IMMAF debut for both young men.
Due to mixed vaccination statuses, it is still unclear whether all of the members of the England team will be able to travel to the UAE. The EMMAA are awaiting information on who will be able to make the trip, but there have been some positive signals from the UAE.
Under difficult circumstances, the English Mixed Martial Arts Association has put together a strong squad for the IMMAF World Championships. With multiple medal hopefuls and an experienced coaching team, the representatives for the UK will be one to watch very closely come January 24th.
The rescheduled 2021 IMMAF World Championships will be streamed live from Abu Dhabi at immaf.tv from 24 to 29 January 2022.
