• ONSITE MEDICAL PROVISION LED BY UFC ‘A’ TEAM • DRUG TESTS CONDUCTED AT FINALS • IMMAF PARTNERS WITH SAFE MMA FOR FUTURE ATHLETE CLEARANCE [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) successfully partnered with medical consultancy and non-profit services provider, Safe MMA, for athlete medical clearance for the IMMAF European Open Championships. The British hosted event at the Walsall Centre, from November 19 to 22, marked the first in IMMAF’s Continental Open series. Housed at the Centre of Health and Human Performance at 76 Harley Street in London, Safe MMA is a UK based voluntary led organisation. It was founded by promoters in 2012 to address medical risk to professional MMA athletes, in view of there being no regulation of the sport within the UK and Ireland. It forms the medical consultancy and athlete clearance arm of the United Kingdom Mixed Martial Arts Federation (UKMMAF). Safe MMA clearance to compete requires that all athletes pass an annual medical examination plus blood tests for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. Athlete medical data is reviewed and held by Safe MMA as an independent third party and medical suspensions are observed by all promoters that join up to the scheme. The IMMAF European Open saw 156 Amateur athletes compete, all of whom were medically cleared as part of their registration process. It also saw the creation of an IMMAF Amateur ‘medically clear’ database, which uses a green light system to mark athletes as medically approved for competition. British and Irish athletes are now also publically listed (on request) in the UK & Ireland Safe MMA ‘clear’ list, in a first for Amateur athletes in the region. See UK and Ireland list: http://publish.smartsheet.com/9cfc583421024daebcd9d31a0ac9e620 The medical clearance system will be implemented for all IMMAF competitions moving forward. [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block title=”ONSITE MEDICAL CARE & SUSPENSIONS” icon=”ONSITE MEDICAL CARE & SUSPENSIONS” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] Onsite medical care at the IMMAF European Open was independently led by experts Dr. Chris Lam, Dr. Mark Banks and paramedic company owner, Tom Quinn, renowned on the MMA circuit for their work with the UFC in EMEA territories. The medical provision met and exceeded UKMMAF requirements. Dr. Chris Lam designed the at event Pre/ Post –Fight Medical form for IMMAF use, and the form has since been approved and adopted by the UKMMAF and Safe MMA as the new standard, leaving behind a legacy in the United Kingdom. Athlete medical suspensions prescribed by the team will be published onto the IMMAF ‘medically clear’ database, to be made public via the IMMAF website shortly. Not only will the database be used for future IMMAF athlete clearance, but it will provide reference for coaches and promoters working to promote athlete safety and minimise risk. [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block title=”ANTI-DOPING” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] In-competition Anti-doping tests were carried out at the Finals of the IMMAF European Open. The tests were conducted under the charge of consultant Michelle Verroken of Sporting Integrity, in line with IMMAF’s WADA compliant Anti-doping policy]]>
