Hasan Khan
Founded in 2017, the Asociación Peruana de Artes Marciales Mixtas (APMMA) was born from a collective of MMA academies across Peru, supported by municipalities and led by key figures such as David Dacko Ibérico Celis, the federation’s founding president. Their mission was clear: to create structured pathways for competitors at all levels, including amateur, youth and professional, allowing them to train and compete within a regulated system that would help establish MMA’s legitimacy across the country.
The federation emerged to counter a prevalent trend: athletes bypassing amateur development and jumping straight into professional fights. APMMA’s founders insisted on progressive preparation and structured progression from national tournaments to Pan-American and world championships.
Credibility was earned through consistent action and a clear commitment to professionalism. From the very beginning, APMMA focused on building the foundations of a credible sport by launching official training programmes for referees, judges and coaches. These courses helped unify technical standards across the country, ensuring that competitions were conducted fairly, safely and in line with international best practices. By late 2018, this steady work began to pay off. The federation gained recognition not only from Peru’s growing network of MMA academies and clubs but also from local municipalities and regional sports councils, who acknowledged APMMA’s role in bringing structure and legitimacy to the sport. This recognition laid the groundwork for broader national acceptance and opened doors for international collaboration.
In January 2023, IMMAF officially welcomed Peru as its Twenty-ninth Pan-American member. Signed by President Celis and supported by IMMAF Director Andrew Moshanov, the affiliation brought safety protocols, governance frameworks and international competition access to Peruvian fighters. At the 2024 IMMAF Pan American Championships, held in México, Team Peru impressed by claiming two gold medals, both earned in Junior divisions, demonstrating the depth of emerging talent. Notably, Renzo Aldave secured victory in the Junior Heavyweight category, concluding the tournament with a perfect amateur record of 7–0
On November 17, 2024, Lima played host to APMMA’s flagship event: the National MMA Championships, featuring approximately 260 athletes representing all corners of Peru. From the coliseum of Colegio Mariano Melgar in Breña, Lima, competitors battled across weight divisions, signaling the federation’s expanding reach and operational maturity. Youth divisions and female categories, once sparse, now form a core part of these championships, reflecting APMMA’s commitment to inclusivity and long term development.
One of Peru’s most prominent MMA export today is Kevin “El Gallo Negro” Borjas. A product of APMMA’s amateur system, he rose through regional competitions, including a standout performance at Inka FC in Lima, where he captured the flyweight title in March 2019. His record in Lima included a string of decisive victories and swift finishes in national bouts throughout 2017–2019. In August 2023, Borjas earned a UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series, debuting at UFC 295 in November before registering his first UFC win against Ronaldo Rodríguez on 29 March 2025. Now based in Lima’s Pitbull Martial Arts Center and boasting a 10–3 professional record, his rise underscores APMMA’s effectiveness in nurturing elite talent. Other notable Peruvian MMA figures include bantamweight Daniel “Sóncora” Marcos, flyweight Rolando Bedoya, plus Gastón Bolaños and José Ochoa, all contributing to a growing legacy of Peruvian athletes.
Peru’s MMA community reflects a rich blend of military discipline, Lucha Libre flair and ground breaking techniques like the “Peruvian Necktie” submission. These culturally infused practices enhance Peru’s presence, both technically and creatively in the broader MMA scene.
Operating with limited government funding, APMMA depends on dedicated volunteers and professionals. Their cross country coaching and officiating courses, overseen by leaders like Celis and Moshanov, ensure events meet high standards for safety and fairness. Structured rules, regular updates and IMMAF alignment position APMMA for both national respect and international credibility.
Now, APMMA is pursuing formal recognition from the Peruvian Olympic Committee, an important step toward integrating MMA into mainstream sport. Concurrently, increased youth and female participation, combined with strengthened athlete pipelines and professional transitions, solidify the federation’s forward momentum.
In just eight years, APMMA has transformed from modest beginnings into a federation known for its organisational strength, athlete development and cultural identity. It all began in 2017, when the first amateur tournaments, including a landmark event in Los Olivos, set the stage for what has become a growing national movement. With Pan-American and global competitions now on the horizon, the federation’s influence continues to expand.
APMMA’s priorities now include achieving Olympic recognition, deepening IMMAF engagement and reinforcing pipelines from grassroots to global arenas. Peru’s MMA federation stands as a powerful example of how vision, structure and community support can transform combat sports within a national context and send its best, well equipped into the global arena.
