Hasan Khan
At the 2025 World Police Summit in Dubai, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and Dubai Police formalised a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing law enforcement training through structured Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) education and coaching systems. The agreement establishes the foundation for a global coaching framework tailored for police forces, with a focus on tactical development, professional standards and community focused outcomes.
The MoU represents a significant step forward in the professionalisation of police sport systems. By aligning with international federation standards, the initiative seeks to enhance the technical proficiency, discipline and operational readiness of law enforcement personnel. IMMAF’s Director of Development, Dr. Andrew Moshanov, described the collaboration as “a shared belief that sport has the power to reform, train, and transform societies, from our streets to our institutions.”
The newly introduced Police Coach Development Program is the cornerstone of the partnership. Designed with scalability and global compatibility in mind, the program is built around two key pillars: assessment and education.
The assessment component includes rigorous evaluation of coaches’ theoretical knowledge, practical skills, fitness and medical competencies. A centralised digital platform will facilitate structured assessments and the verification of certifications through official IMMAF databases. Federation nominated experts will conduct evaluations on site or online, producing detailed competency profiles to guide professional development.
On the educational front, coaches will be classified according to demonstrated competencies and offered guided access to accredited learning modules from international federations. The program also allows for tailored content to meet specific operational needs within the policing context. Certified modules will lead to internationally recognised qualifications, ensuring a consistent standard across civilian and law enforcement sectors.
From a strategic standpoint, the partnership underscores a commitment to modernising police training methodologies while reinforcing credibility and technical excellence in global sports forums. It also establishes a long term pathway for collaboration between IMMAF and police institutions worldwide on future joint initiatives beyond coaching, paving the way for broader applications of sport in public service.
During the signing ceremony at the World Police Summit, IMMAF President Kerrith Brown expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting its impact on community engagement and police training.
“As President of IMMAF it was an honour to formalise this agreement with Dubai Police at such a prestigious global event,” stated Brown. “This MoU marks a significant step in fostering community initiatives and integrating MMA into police training frameworks. It will enable our national federations to collaborate with police departments, strengthening ties and promoting the development of MMA within law enforcement.“
Brown noted that the agreement reflects IMMAF’s commitment to diversity and community inclusion, reinforcing sport’s role in social transformation.
The initiative reflects a broader movement at the World Police Summit, which this year convened global leaders under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE. As part of its vision to foster innovation in policing, Dubai Police also signed MoUs with several other international sports federations; including the World Karate Federation, International Shooting Sport Federation, International Snowboarding Federation, International Badminton Federation and the World Obstacle Federation.
Together, these agreements highlight Dubai Police’s progressive strategy to integrate sport based training into law enforcement systems. The collaboration with IMMAF in particular marks the first structured attempt to introduce MMA methodologies into a global coaching curriculum for police personnel. Reflecting the sport’s growing recognition not only for its athletic merit but also for its capacity to enhance decision making, physical preparedness and public trust through disciplined application.
As the MoU moves toward implementation, it sets a new standard for cooperation between the sport and security sectors, offering a blueprint for institutions seeking to develop policing frameworks that are both tactically effective and socially responsive.
