By Erik Uebelacker
It was announced in July that IMMAF President Kerrith Brown had been nominated for the Leading Man of the Year Award in the 14th annual Fighters Only MMA Awards. Marc Goddard, IMMAF Director of Regulatory Affairs, was nominated for Referee of the Year.
This week at the Youth World Finals in Abu Dhabi, the two reflected on their respective nominations for the prestigious awards show.
“It’s an honor to be given that recognition for the work we’ve been doing within the sport,” Brown said of his nomination. “But it’s collective. Right across the board, it’s the whole IMMAF family that is part of that, that put us into that position.”
This marks the third consecutive year that amateur MMA will be represented at the Fighters Only MMA Awards. In the two years prior, IMMAF CEO Densign White was nominated for the same honor.
“It’s really great for me and I’m really pleased that I have the opportunity,” Brown said. “But at the same time, I have to make sure that we represent and make sure that I’m leading for the next generation.”
Goddard was pleased that, with Brown’s nomination, IMMAF continues to gain recognition in the wider MMA community.
“Obviously, it’s good, the recognition that IMMAF are getting,” Goddard said. “There’s nobody like us, nobody, like us in what we’re doing for amateur MMA in the world. It remains one of the most fulfilling things that I do in MMA.”
Of his own nomination for Referee of the Year, Goddard thanked the fans, as well as Fighters Only Magazine.
“It’s good recognition because it’s voted for by the fans, but it’s not why you do the job,” he said. “It’s always nice to be nominated. As I said, that’s not why we do it. But it’s nice to be recognized and I’m in some good company.”
Voting is now open at WorldMMAAwards.com and runs until September 30. The nomination period spanned from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.
