Today, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has signed a deal that sees International Sport Management and Marketing GmbH (ISMM) buy the hosting rights to the IMMAF Senior & Junior World Championships for the next five years, from 2023 – 2027.
As part of the deal, ISMM gains certain commercial and media rights composite to the World Championships hosting rights package. ISMM will be responsible for the securing of locations and licensing of hosting rights to national federations, sports authorities, cities and commercial entities for the organisation of IMMAF’s flagship annual event.
As contracts were signed on the sidelines of IMMAF’s 2022 Youth World Championships this afternoon in Abu Dhabi, IMMAF President Kerrith Brown commented: “We’re pleased to be able to announce this substantial deal that assures financial security for IMMAF’s growth through our World Championships platform. While the investment demonstrates the growing value of the IMMAF brand and amateur MMA, it will empower us both to escalate this growth and maximise commercial opportunities. We look forward to announcing the location of our 2022 World Championships very soon.”
ISMM CEO Zuhher Andovic said: “I am very grateful to the IMMAF to be here. I would like to advance the sport of MMA with the IMMAF. We are pursuing our goal of making MMA Olympic. I would like to contribute to that and through the awarding of the World Championships, we can take that one step forward. Together we will make it and shape the future.”
The IMMAF board directors responsible for brokering the deal were Tom Madsen (Germany, and Wissam Abi Nader (Lebanon), IMMAF’s Director for the Middle East.
Madsen said: “I am happy that we have found a solid solution with a well-connected and capable agent. The deal secures financial stability and progress to the amateur MMA community. The cooperation will create advantages for both IMMAF partners and athletes for the next five years and beyond.”
Abi Nader commented: “In two words, I’m really happy to make this deal that will secure IMMAF financially but will also give us more time to focus on the development of the sport itself around the world and other deals.”
IMMAF CEO Densign White concurred: “This deal secures the financial future of our organisation for the next five years. We will use this opportunity to continue to develop our sport to an even higher level and provide more members services.”
