Hasan Khan
David Iberico Celis, better known in MMA circles as “Escorpión”, has been instrumental in transforming mixed martial arts in Peru. As the founding President of the Asociación Peruana de Mixed Martial Arts (APMMA), he has fused a rich family legacy of combat sports with a bold vision for national athletic progress and global Olympic recognition.
Born into a family steeped in martial tradition, Iberico’s grandfather was a boxer, his father a wrestler, his brothers MMA athletes, and he now trains alongside his son and nephews. That lifelong immersion fueled his fierce dedication to formalizing MMA in Peru. Rather than competing in isolated events, he wanted a structured system: uniting clubs, organizing championships and supporting athletes from grass roots to international podiums.
Iberico’s own fighting credentials lend credibility to his leadership. Records from FightMatrix place him as a Bantamweight ranked #202 in early 2013, with a 13‑2‑0 professional record while representing Lima’s Escuela Pitbull gym. He also holds a 3rd‑Dan black belt and is a world champion in Luta Livre, credentials that inform his federation’s technical standards and emphasis on athlete safety.
Iberico achieved a major milestone when IMMAF officially welcomed Peru as a full member on 4 January 2023, following approval at the IMMAF board meeting on 21 December 2022. IMMAF noted that APMMA had already built robust frameworks, fielding national trials with over 250 athletes and establishing Peru’s first delegation to the 2023 IMMAF World Championships. This international recognition followed a visit by IMMAF’s Director of Development, Andrew Moshanov, in late November 2022. Moshanov’s tour of Lima area facilities validated Peru’s adherence to global standards in governance, athlete safety and competition readiness, paving the way for its formal inclusion.
Since this breakthrough, APMMA has hosted regional championships across Lima, Arequipa, Tarapoto, Piura, Picota, Tacna, Moyobamba, Mancora and Rioja, complemented by national tournaments culminating in 2023 and 2024 Pan-American events. At the 2024 IMMAF Pan-American Championships, Peru secured two gold medals, alongside strong performances from Uruguay and Jamaica, asserting its arrival alongside traditional MMA powerhouses . The team’s two golds came from both senior and junior divisions, reinforcing the federation’s balanced development . Peru’s medal tally places it firmly within the top five MMA nations in the Americas, a notable achievement for a federation established less than two years prior. These victories reflect depth in Iberico’s leadership, indicating a successful athlete pipeline from amateur to elite levels.
Behind the scenes, Iberico and his cadre manage APMMA’s operations via messaging apps and online portals, connecting stakeholders across Peru’s disparate regions. This digital backbone enables seamless management of event calendars, official training, athlete welfare monitoring and logistical coordination, critical in a country challenged by geography and resources. Operationally, Iberico’s leadership is defined by efficiency and community outreach. APMMA organizes training workshops, referee seminars and athlete education on nutrition and sports psychology. These serve as platforms for athletes from underprivileged backgrounds to access professional mentoring, the kind Iberico himself lacked in his early career.
APMMA’s training ecosystem has also flourished. Coaches like his son Mijail Iberico La Puente, trained under Iberico’s mentorship, have guided youth athletes toward regional success. In April 2025, APMMA spotlighted Mijail’s strong competitive results and academic achievements on social media, showcasing the federation’s holistic athlete-development focus .
Iberico’s ultimate aspiration is Olympic inclusion for MMA. Iberico views Peru’s participation in IMMAF World Championships not as an end, but as a strategic stepping-stone toward technical recognition by major international bodies. Aligning with IMMAF’s global push for member federations to meet Olympic criteria.
Despite facing funding constraints, APMMA collaborates with national universities and the Peruvian Olympic Committee to secure access to standardised venues. Through modest sponsorships and volunteer efforts, the federation has maintained its growth trajectory, expanding from 10 clubs in 2022 to over 40 today.
Looking ahead, Iberico has charted a clear path forward: maintain Peru’s presence at upcoming IMMAF World Championships, expand coach accreditation programs in 2025 and achieve recognition from Peru’s Olympic authorities by 2026. These goals are set against a backdrop of continued medal ambitions, with senior and junior squads earmarked for medal contention at the 2026 Pan-American Championships and the 2027 youth continental events.
David Dacko Iberico Celis stands as the architect of Peru’s MMA renaissance. His multifaceted leadership, rooted in family tradition, competitive passion, administrative acumen and global vision, has elevated Peru as an international MMA force in the amateur MMA circuit. If Olympic inclusion is the next frontier, then APMMA under Iberico’s guidance is building the bridge.
