BAMMA Joins MMA Promotions Working with IMMAF Federations

December 10, 2014

SEE BELOW FOR BAMMA 17 PHOTO GALLERY [Lead banner photo by Marc Moggridge, Burghley Images] (10.12.14) Last Saturday 6th December, British based BAMMA, joined the growing number of commercial MMA promoters worldwide to now be working with IMMAF affiliated, national MMA federations. In the UK where there is no legal requirement for regulation, BAMMA became the first professional MMA event-holder to voluntarily work with the United Kingdom Mixed Martial Arts Federation (UKMMAF). UKMMAF board representative, Robbie Olivier, was present to “shadow sanction” operations at BAMMA 17 at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester. IMMAF CEO Densign White was also in attendance as a guest spectator. Shadow sanctioning forms part of the partnership process between the UKMMAF and affiliated promoters working towards full independent sanctioning in 2015. It involves working together to evolve best practice both for the promoter and governing body. As part of this, event processes are independently reviewed at no extra cost to the promoter. In the UKMMAF’s press release, UKMMAF Subcommittee member and BAMMA referee Mark Woodard, commented: “I think it’s awesome that the UKMMAF are now in a position to be able to start pressure testing the protocols that we have worked so hard to create. Shadow sanctioning on a show like BAMMA will give UKMMAF the feedback that is necessary to make sure that everything is in place to support and help promotions run a smooth, safe, professional event.” In 2012 BAMMA was among the leading British promotions that helped found the UK medical advisory board, Safe MMA, with leading medical and sports experts. Meeting Safe MMA criteria is now mandatory for promoters working with the UKMMAF. BAMMA 17 competitors were cleared by Safe MMA to compete prior to the event ( http://bit.ly/1vXapfE ) Medical suspensions for BAMMA 17 were submitted to Safe MMA post-event and are published in the public domain here: http://bit.ly/1vXapfE. Under Safe MMA, other member promotions have agreed also not to use the competitors listed, for the duration of their suspension periods. In follow up to BAMMA17, the UKMMAF has now to prepare a report for BAMMA management.