Sweden is set to return to the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) platform in 2027, following the approval of the Swedish Mixed Martial Arts Team Association (SMMATA).
Approved by the IMMAF Board of Directors and formally confirmed on Friday November 6, at the 2026 IMMAF Annual General Assembly, SMMATA exists as a collective of athletes, clubs and stakeholders, united by a single objective: to establish a new Team Sweden under the IMMAF banner and create opportunities for Swedish athletes, from youth to adults, to develop and compete internationally.
The association will focus exclusively on rebuilding Sweden’s presence within the IMMAF competition pathway, providing a platform for athletes across the country to access international amateur MMA competition.
Vladimir Babovic serves as the inaugural President of SMMATA, alongside directors Vlado Petrovic and Martin von Friessendorff. Multiple-time IMMAF heavyweight champion and IMMAF Board member Irman Smajic is among the association’s founding members, together with several regional clubs forming its initial membership.
Former IMMAF medallist for Sweden, Daniyal Shamkhalov will serve as SMMATA’s qualified Safeguarding Officer and National Liaison Officer, supporting communication as the point of contact for the Swedish MMA community.
IMMAF Board member Irman Smajic said:
“I’m really happy to see Sweden back in IMMAF and to give Swedish athletes the chance to compete at the highest level and participate in the sport.
“The ambition is straightforward and free from wider distractions. This represents a brand-new opportunity, particularly for youth athletes, to receive the support they need to enter international competition and develop as young individuals.”
Sweden’s return will mark a new chapter for a nation with a strong history in IMMAF competition, as SMMATA prepares to establish its national team structure ahead of the 2027 international calendar.
