On November 9, during the 2024 IMMAF World Championships finals, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation hosted a Black Belt Awards Ceremony to honour the extraordinary achievements of 17 distinguished coaches.
The black belt, a universal symbol of mastery and dedication in martial arts, was awarded to coaches who have excelled either by producing IMMAF World Champions or guiding athletes to remarkable success in the professional MMA landscape.
Leading the list of honorees were Christophe Midoux (France), renowned for coaching the legendary Georges St-Pierre, and Bayan Zhangalov (Kazakhstan), the mentor of rising UFC star Shavkat Rakhmonov.
The ceremony also recognised the contributions of the following coaches:
- Aybek Shokputov (Kazakhstan)
- Muzzafar Rajabov (Uzbekistan)
- Batirkhon Rakhmanov (Uzbekistan)
- Abdullaev Ayubkhon (Uzbekistan)
- Subhonov Rashid (Uzbekistan)
- Hudyakov Dmitriy (Uzbekistan)
- Bahtiyor Tursunov (Tajikistan)
- Shaik Khalid (India)
- Santiago Gallo (Uruguay)
- Madaminov Farruh (Uzbekistan)
- Alijanov Jasur (Uzbekistan)
- Aghabalyan Garegin (Armenia)
- Otabek Musaev (Uzbekistan)
- Daniel Solorzano (Mexico)
- Irman Smajič (Sweden)
IMMAF Director Bertrand Amoussou on Why an MMA Grading System is Essential for the Future of the Sport
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is currently one of the most popular and dynamic combat sports in the world. However, unlike other martial arts disciplines such as judo, karate, or taekwondo, MMA has never benefited from a structured grading system to evaluate and certify practitioners’ levels. Implementing such a system represents a significant step forward, addressing concrete and strategic needs for the global development of MMA. Creating the graduation system and the syllabus was a crucial element in my efforts with the French Ministry of Sports to legalize MMA in the country.
Here are the fundamental reasons that justify this initiative by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF):
Recognition and Progression of Practitioners
A grading system allows practitioners’ progress to be acknowledged through concrete, measurable, and standardized steps. This framework provides students—whether amateur or professional—a clear vision of their technical and physical development. Each grade becomes a motivating objective while offering tangible recognition of their efforts and skills.
International Unification and Standardization
Currently, MMA is practised in thousands of clubs worldwide, but learning criteria vary significantly from one place to another. A grading system creates a universal structure that transcends borders. This ensures that, regardless of where a fighter trains, their level is assessed according to globally recognized and respected standards.
Accessibility for Amateurs
MMA is often perceived as a sport reserved for professional competitors. However, the majority of practitioners are passionate amateurs seeking to learn and progress without necessarily turning to competition. A grading system provides these amateurs with a structured and rewarding framework to fully commit to the discipline while strengthening their sense of belonging to the MMA community.
Promotion of Educational and Martial Values
MMA is more than just a combat sport—it is a discipline that demands discipline, respect, and resilience. Through a grading system, these fundamental values are emphasized, reminding us that MMA shares the same ethical and educational foundations as traditional martial arts.
Safety and Guided Progression
A grading system is not just a tool for evaluation; it is also a means to ensure that practitioners develop their skills safely and appropriately for their level. It reduces the risk of injuries by ensuring that practitioners master foundational techniques before progressing to more advanced ones. It also guarantees a minimum technical level for competition.
Professionalization and Global Development
For MMA to continue its growth as a credible and sustainable sport, investing in its educational structure is essential. A grading system helps professionalize the discipline by strengthening the role of coaches and establishing a solid foundation for MMA federations and regulatory bodies worldwide.
Strengthening the MMA Community
Finally, a grading system creates a common culture and a shared language among practitioners from all backgrounds. It enhances the sense of belonging to a larger community where everyone can recognize themselves in a clear and structured progression pathway.
By adopting a grading system, MMA takes a crucial step in its development. This framework not only democratizes the practice but also enriches practitioners’ experiences while enhancing MMA’s image as a complete and structured martial art. It is a visionary initiative marking a new era for the sport and laying the groundwork for its international expansion. With this system, we honour the martial roots of MMA while paving the way for a future where every practitioner can fully thrive, regardless of their ultimate destination on this martial journey.
More information on IMMAF Grading scheme:
[email protected]
Andrew Moshanov, Director of Development
