IMMAF | Who we are

Board | Honorary Board Members | Honorary Presidents | Administration Team | Committees

Board | Honorary Board Members

Honorary Presidents | Administration Team

Committees

BOARD

Kerrith Brown

President, UK

BIO

Kerrith Brown was appointed as President of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), following election by unanimous board vote in Berlin on 20th June 2015.

Following discussions with both the EJU and the BJA Board, Kerrith Brown had resigned as Chairman of the British Judo Association due to ideological differences with the leadership of the European Judo Union and the International Judo Federation.

Under Brown’s leadership since 2012, British Judo went from strength to strength, most markedly opening the doors of its Centre of Excellence at the University of Wolverhampton (UK) in 2013. The centre heralded the launch of a new performance programme for British athletes. Brown also oversaw a transformation in the governance of the BJA. Brown is himself a former elite level judoka, at his peak earning bronze for Great Britain at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Since his retirement from competition, he has pursued a successful career in business, as owner, manager and consultant.

Under Brown too, the BJA significantly lent professional sports consultancy and support to the development of the United Kingdom Mixed Martial Arts Federation (UKMMAF), to enable its application for official recognition by Sport England. It was through this relationship that Brown was recommended for and voted to a position on the IMMAF Board in October 2014. Brown has featured notably in the successes of IMMAF since his involvement.

For communications for IMMAF President Kerrith Brown contact: [email protected]

Wissam Abi Nader

Interim Vice President

BIO

Having started training in Judo aged five, Wissam Abi Nader has developed a deep understanding of the core principles of all martial arts – respect, discipline, hard work and the physical challenge.

As Wissam progressed, he started to compete in Judo at national and international level. Among the many accolades he won in the sport Wissam can boast to being a 12-time consecutive Lebanese Judo champion, 1st West Asian Ju-Jitsu champion, he was runner-up in the Asian Sambo championships and placed 3rd in the Sambo World Cup in 2011. His success lead him into coaching and to eventually form his own team which also competed at international level. He was also given the honour of coaching the Lebanese National Sambo and Combat Sambo teams, with the latter placing first four-years running at the Arab Championships.

It was in 2001 that Wissam became hooked on MMA and is a pioneer of the sport’s development in the region. He is responsible, along with IMMAF consultant Dr Nadim Nassif, for creating the first MMA club in Lebanon. This lead to the formation of the Lebanese Mixed Martial Arts Committee. Wissam had the foresight to govern MMA under the umbrella of the already established Lebanese Judo Federation and has seen the sport go from strength to strength.

After organising the first Lebanese MMA Championship in 2010, Wissam was elected president of the Lebanese MMA Committee and oversaw the first ever Arab amateur MMA championship. Although a solid base, there was more to be achieved for Wissam who saw MMA as a sport that needed a structure from grassroots to professional level. He worked closely with FILA, a recognised sports federation by the Internal Olympic Committee, and this relationship lead him to the IMMAF.

Wissam is adamant the IMMAF must play a key role in ensuring that a grassroots structure is in place that will help the sport flourish and ultimately be recognised as an Olympic sport.

Tatiana Klimenko

Director, Israel

BIO

Tatiana has worked in MMA for over 8 years. With a Masters Degree in Public Relations, Tatiana started working in the promotion of MMA because she had fallen in love with the sport. She worked with the World Mixed Martial Arts Association from its early days starting as PA to the President and then becoming Secretary General and finally, Executive Director. She remains Events Manager for M-1 Global and also works on the IMMAF Administration Team, since the IMMAF – WMMAA merger, as Member Relations Director and managing Participant Operations for IMMAF Championships. She has managed the first two IMMAF| WMMAA Amateur MMA Awards.

Bertrand Amoussou

Director, France

BIO

Bertrand Amoussou is a former Mixed Martial Artist and judoka who in 2008 became the president of the French governing body for MMA, the Commission Française de Mixed Martial Arts (CFMMA).

Born in Dakar, Senegal to a Beninese instructor of judo and karate, Amoussou moved to France aged 10 where he began his training in judo. Amoussou went on to become a national champion in judo and was a member of the French team for ten years, scoring a bronze medal at the 1990 European Judo Championships. Amoussou was also European champion, three-times world champion and world games winner in Ju-Jitsu Combat, additionally immersing himself in kickboxing under Dominique Valera.

Amoussou is the pionneer of MMA in France taking part in 1995 at the 1st international Vale Tudo Championship in Rio De Janeiro. In 2004, he made waves as the first and only French competitor to win at Pride FC. He also served as an ambassador for ju-jitsu at the 2010 SportAccord Combat Games in Beijing.

Amoussou has trained the French special forces (RAID) and works today as a TV consultant as well as teaching MMA at the famous Racing Club de France (RCF) academy.

Amoussou served as President of IMMAF from September 2013 through to June 2015.

Tom Madsen

Director, Germany

BIO

Tom Madsen is the founder of the German MMA Federation & Krav Maga Survival. He has gained long experience across many martial arts over the years. Past stand out achievements include being part of the WKA National Kickboxing Team for Denmark, as well as Amateur World Champion in MMA and (twice) in Grappling. Madsen placed 2nd in the Kickboxing World Championships and took 3rd place at the Europeans in Pankration.

Madsen has been honoured with an 8th Dan in Kyokushin Budokai, IBK International Budo Kaikan – All Round Fighting, a 6th Dan in Kyokushin Karate and a 5th Dan in Kickboxing
Tom holds a Higher Diploma in International Business from Copenhagen Business College and studied for his MBA in Edingburg.

Raymond Phillips

Director, South Africa

BIO

Raymond is a former world champion kickboxer and current coach and administrator who is playing a key role in MMA development in South Africa.

Starting at the age seven, Raymond trained in Karate, competing internationally for South Africa and receiving his country’s national colours. He made the switch to kickboxing in his late 20s and has been an instructor as well as continued his training ever since. He started his own organisation in 2004 and has built it up to be one of the top three kickboxing organisations in South Africa.

Raymond opened up his school to other combat styles, including Muai Thai, Jiu-Jitsu and combat grappling as MMA gained more popularity. He trains seven professional MMA fighters and was privileged to coach his national team for the inaugural IMMAF World Championships in 2014 to win two titles.

He currently holds the positions of Vice-president for MMA-SA and President of Amateur MMA-SA. He is an executive member of the South African Kickboxing Association and chairperson of his province (Ekurhuleni) for kickboxing and MMA.

As part of his role for MMA-SA, Raymond is committed to creating an All-Africa MMA Championships as well as strengthening his country’s team ahead of the 2015 IMMAF World Championships.

Stewart Brain

Director, Australia

BIO

Olympian Stewart Brain has competed internationally in Judo since 1974, reaching the quarter finals of the Seoul Games in 1988 in the 73 kilo category.

He has been involved in the sports administration since 1985 and has served as National Administration Coaching Director, National Sports Commissioner and National Secretary for the Judo Federation Australia. He established the Kokodan Commission and Kata Commission of Australia and was also the Judo National Team coach.

Away from Judo Stewart runs his own construction business.

Han Juili

Non-Executive Director, China

BIO

Han Jiuli is Vice President of Chinese Boxing Federation and Department Minister of the MMA Department of Chinese Boxing Federation, charged with supervising the promotion and development of MMA as a sport in China.

As the Asia Regional Chairman of WMMAA (World MMA Association), Jiuli was responsible for the licensing and facilitation of large-scale MMA events, including M-1 and UFC, in China.

He oversaw the successful hosting of the 2016 WMMAA World Championships in Macau and the 2018 WMMAA Asian Championships in Harbin China. Jiuli is as an industry consultant to the General Administration of Sports of People’s Republic of China and former China National Judo Champion in the Absolute Division Following the IMMAF – WMMAA merger, Jiuli was voted to the IMMAF Board of Directors in November 2019.

Svetlana Odintsova

Non-Executive Director, Netherlands

BIO

Svetlana’s education and corporate background is in management and accountancy. She has worked as Cost Controller firstly for M-1 Nederland B.V. and now M-1 Global Holding since 2010.

Svetlana took on World Mixed Martial Arts Association’s administration and accountancy in 2012 and joined the WMMAA Member Governing Board as Treasurer in July 2014, where she held the position until WMMAA’s merger with IMMAF.

Svetlana was voted to the IMMAF Board in November 2019.

Mohamed Ali Qamber

Non-Executive Director, Bahrain

BIO
- M.A Olympic studies, German Sports University, Köln
- President of Bahrain MMA Federation
- Events Operation Consultant of Brave Combat Federation

Valentina David

Non-Executive Director, Thailand

BIO

Valentina David is a successful Trade and Compliance professional, having worked for over 15 years in various industries within MNCs on a global scale, drafting and implementing processes, procedures, and policies. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Masters in Trade and Commercial Law, and a Postgraduate in Data Science and Business Analytics.

While her professional interests lean towards structure, regulations and the arm of the law, her sporting interests are varied and diverse, having practiced extensively in swimming, dance, aerial acrobatics, horse riding (she was a racetrack rider), karate, MMA and currently in bodybuilding.

Valentina was elected on the IMMAF board of Directors as a Non-Executive member in April 2024.

Amanda Ribas

Athlete Non-Executive Director, Brazil

BIO

Amanda Ribas represented Brazil at the inaugural IMMAF Amateur MMA World Championships in 2014, winning gold in the flyweight division. She was the first IMMAF champion to enter the top tier of professional MMA and is a current top 10 challenger in the UFC, competing in the Women’s Flyweight and Strawweight divisions. Amanda has continued to support amateur MMA in Brazil, attending national events and accompanying Team Brazil at IMMAF championships.

Irman Smajic

Athlete Non-Executive Director, Sweden

BIO

Irman Smajic is among the most decorated champions in IMMAF history after first entering the sport of MMA to combat obesity.

The Bosnian born athlete represented Sweden during the nation’s most successful period on the IMMAF platform to date and is a two-time heavyweight world champion in addition to winning European and Asia Open titles. As a professional Irman has competed in several standout promotions, including BRACE CF, and he has been Chairman of the IMMAF Athletes Commission since 2020.

Outside of MMA Irman is a dentist and has been involved with charitable projects to provide dental care to children overseas.

Honorary Board Members

Frank Babcock

USA

BIO

Marketing and Broadcast Executive Frank Babcock is a Master Instructor of Hapkido and senior instructor of Tae Kwon Do and Jujitsu. He possesses long experience teaching competitors that include military and law enforcement personnel.

As President of UMMAF (USA Mixed Martial Arts Federation), Frank has combined 50 years of marketing and advertising experience with his extensive expertise in martial arts to drive forward full-combat competitive Amateur MMA in the US.

His work has included the development of TV programming that covers competitive combat sports for audiences across the United States. He also developed medical safety and legal standards for training and competition that are essential to the legalization of MMA: In coordination with officials from many states, Frank has been successful in standardising rules, refereeing and judging for Amateur combat sports.

Frank’s dedication to building a strong foundation in combat sports for Amateur athletes lead him to co found Karate International Council of Kickboxing (Kick International) in 1982 which evolved into the UMMAFKI Federation, a not-for-profit corporation formed under the federal standards of the Ted Stevens Olympic Amateur Sports Act.

Frank Babcock was a Board Director of IMMAF from 2013 to 2019.

Honorary Presidents

Vadim Finkelchtein

Russia

BIO

Vadim Finkelchtein is a successful self-made businessman who operates in several countries. After building his name in non-sporting projects, he was introduced to MMA in the late 1990s and became an immediate and eternal fan, turning his passion into the world class MMA Promotion M-1 Global.

In 2012 Finkelchtein decided it was the time to take the sport on the new level by recognizing it officially. This decision was followed by establishing the Russian MMA Union and not long after the world governing body – WMMAA. With his experience and connections in the field, the amateur MMA events instantly became the new hit.

After the successful amalgamation with IMMAF and becoming the organisation’s Honorary President, Vadim has launched several new business projects, including the M-1 Arena in St.Petersburg, Russia.

ADMINISTRATION TEAM

Densign White

Chief Executive Officer

BIO

Olympian Densign White was announced as the CEO of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in November 2014.

The British judoka has past international sporting credentials that include triple Olympian, World Championship medallist, 5 times European medallist and Commonwealth Champion.

At the close of his competitive days, White chose to pursue a career in sports administration serving 11 years as the Chairman of the British Judo Association, from 2001 to 2012. He moved onto serve internationally as the European Judo Union Head Sports Director and has acted for 2 years as an executive member of the British Olympic Association. In total White has four decades of experience in judo under his belt, as athlete, coach and administrator; and continues to coach today.

In 2018, White was elected to the Council of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), an organisation founded to tackle corruption in sport by industry stakeholders.

White is the Chairman for Sporting Equals, which works to promote ethnic diversity in UK sport, and a trustee of the charity, the Tessa Sanderson Foundation.

Gosha Malik

Director of Members Services

BIO

Gosha Malik joined IMMAF as a volunteer during the first IMMAF World Championship in 2014. She then continued providing support at IMMAF Championships in various roles until she started working full time for IMMAF in 2016 as an administrator, moving to Members Relation management at the end of that year. Since then, Gosha increased the number of affiliated IMMAF Federations to 110 + as well as ensuring new members adhered to the principles of good governance and education, as well as supporting access to IMMAF coaching progression schemes on the IMMAF App. With a strong focus on online management systems, Gosha is encouraging member federations to use digital platforms efficiently . Another aspect of Gosha’s key roles is to support Federations to build storing organisational structures so as to be able to select representative teams for IMMAF events. Gosha is also responsible for co-ordinating efforts to secure Government recognition for IMMAF Members with French Polynesia and the Dominican Republic securing recognition in 2020. For more information regarding all aspects of Federation co-ordination, including new membership applications, please contact.

E: [email protected]

Andrew Moshanov

Director of Development

BIO

As Head of Development for International Sambo Federation from 2012 to 2017, Dr. Andrew Moshanov was responsible for the development of new and existing national federations. During that time he introduced sambo to thirty-two new nations, supporting them to gain recognition from National Olympic Committees and national sport authorities.

Andrew’s prior role saw him as Technical Director of the British Judo Association from 2005 to 2010. His work included the implementation of a new comprehensive technical syllabus and system of non-competitive grading. He worked on the implementation of the United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) and Long-Term Athlete Development concept (LTAD).

With an IJF 6th Dan in Judo, Andrew’s early career heralded him as personal of coach of five World Sambo Champions (1988-1992), before he led the Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) National Judo team in their training for the XIII Asian and Olympic Games (1996- 2000). Moshanov entered sports administration as Sports Director for Russian Judo (2000-2004) in charge of the preparation of the national team for all major events.

With a PhD from Moscow State University of Physical Education and Sport (2000), he has lectured in Sports Training Science at the University of Bath and acted as a postgraduate student supervisor at Anglia Ruskin University. He holds an honours in coaching for Russia (the highest coaching distinction) and is a lifetime Honorary National Judo coach for the UK police.

Andrew joined IMMAF as its Head of Development in 2018.

Jorden Curran

Member Development Consultant

BIO

With a background in Mixed Martial Arts training and journalism spanning over 10 years, Jorden Curran first joined the IMMAF team in 2015 as the organisation’s in-house journalist and developed a vast knowledge of the IMMAF landscape, its national members and worldwide teams of athletes. In 2020 Jorden completed a master’s degree in leadership and development of sport and physical activity, and subsequently joined the Member Services department of IMMAF as a Development Consultant, contributing to progressive action and a global understanding of what constitutes sport development from the grass roots, understanding regional government targets and how the sport of MMA can have a wider community impact. Jorden developed the IMMAF Event Legacy Policy and further contributes with informative literature, in areas such as gender barriers in sport and how MMA can work to engage more women at a grass roots level. Jorden is also liaison of the IMMAF Athletes Commission and is dedicated to cultivating new pathways of opportunity for elite MMA athletes, practitioners and youth around the world.

E: [email protected]

Guilherme Bravo

Director of Regulatory Affairs

BIO

Guilherme Bravo’s role in IMMAF involves aligning event organization with international MMA protocols and elevating them to a world class standard. He also oversees the training of officials, instructors, and leaders for events, updates referee protocols and improves judging processes.

COMMITTEES

The IMMAF administration is assisted in its work by a number of Committees (elected by the General Assembly) and Commissions (appointed by the Board of Directors) made up of expert advisers coming from within the sport of MMA and outside. As volunteers with different backgrounds and nationalities, they bring a wealth of different experience and are committed to making IMMAF an outstanding example of good governance and athlete-oriented sport development.

Elected Committees

The Anti-doping, Anti-doping Disciplinary, Arbitration, Disciplinary, Financial Audit and Nominations Committees are elected by the General Assembly:

Anti-doping Committee

The Anti-doping and TUE Committee oversees IMMAF’s anti-doping policies and implementation across IMMAF competitions ensuring that IMMAF’s Anti-doping Policy is WADA compliant. The committee includes a panel of expert medical professionals who are highly experienced in the field of Anti-doping. The panel is responsible for reviewing applications from athletes for the therapeutic or medical use of banned substances.

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Download Anti-doping Committee Terms of Reference
Anti-doping Disciplinary Committee

The role of the Anti-doping Disciplinary Committee is to manage and resolve any asserted Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) or other dispute arising from the implementation of those rules policies and procedures arising from the Results Management Process as described in the Anti-Doping Rules (ADR).

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Download Anti-doping Disciplinary Committee Terms of Reference
Arbitration Committee

The IMMAF Arbitration Committee should be considered as an independent entity. The IMMAF Arbitration Committee has the exclusive role to resolve complaints and disputes and appeals arising from decisions of the IMMAF Disciplinary Committee and complaints and disputes related to decisions of the IMMAF Anti-doping Disciplinary Committee.

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Disciplinary Committee

The IMMAF Disciplinary Committee is responsible for the management and resolution of any asserted violations of the IMMAF Code of Ethics and other IMMAF Rules and Procedures, except for asserted violations of anti-doping rules which come under the jurisdiction of the IMMAF Anti-doping Disciplinary Committee. Any complaints, disputes or appeals arising from decisions of the IMMAF Disciplinary Committee will be settled by the IMMAF Arbitration Panel which is independent of the Disciplinary Committee.

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Financial Audit Committee

The role of the the Financial Audit Committee, which should be considered as independent of IMMAF, is to oversee and audit the financial activities of IMMAF and to provide independent oversight of financial matters related to IMMAF.

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Nominations Committee

The role of the Nominations Committee is to ensure that all candidates for elected positions at IMMAF are eligible in accordance with the IMMAF Constitution and other IMMAF rules and regulations. The Nominations Committee will also monitor the election procedures to ensure that they comply with the relevant articles of the IMMAF Constitution.

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Appointed Commissions

Athletes’ Commission

The Athletes’ Commission serves as a link between the athletes and IMMAF. The IMMAF Athletes’ Commission ensures that the athletes’ viewpoint remains at the heart of all decisions by IMMAF and encourages and empowers the Athletes’ voice in all matters related to Amateur MMA globally.

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Coaching Commission

The role of the Coaching Commission is to advise IMMAF Board of Directors on matters related to Amateur Mixed Martial Arts from the coaches’ perspective including providing strategic direction and leadership to ensure that IMMAF coaches have the most up-to-date level of competency and can deliver effective teaching of the skills of mixed martial arts to their membership. The Commission will provide a coach’s perspective and voice to the decision-making processes within IMMAF and advocate for the rights and interests of coaches within the sport of Amateur Mixed Martial Arts globally.

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Competition Bidding Commission

The role of the Competition Bidding Commission is to identify and attract high quality and appropriate candidates to host IMMAF competitions. The Commission will develop and manage all the relevant information and guidelines to inform potential candidates of the benefits and responsibilities of hosting IMMAF events.

The Commission will also ensure that the necessary evaluation and decision-making processes, as well as communication with prospective candidates, is handled in the most transparent manner possible and in full compliance with the IMMAF Statutes, Code of Ethics and other relevant IMMAF rules and guidelines.

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Ethics Commission

The role of the Ethics Commission is to advise the CEO and Board on the development, implementation and review of organisational procedures and policies guidelines relating to ethical issues; and whom the CEO can call upon to provide advice and consultation to the IMMAF on ethics matters depending on the issues arising.

The Ethics Commission is responsible for ensuring that IMMAF acts in accordance with its Statutes and Policies including its Conflicts of Interest and Whistle-blowing policies. The Commission is responsible for the investigation of complaints at the request of the IMMAF CEO.

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Medical Commission

IMMAF’s Medical Committee consists of a panel of doctors with a specialism or experience in medical care within Mixed Martial Arts. The committee is responsible for providing guidance on medical safety within the sport and for developing medical protocol for IMMAF competitions.

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Peace through MMA Commission
Regulatory Affairs Commission

The role of the Regulatory Affairs Commission is to develop universal protocols for safe Amateur MMA competition, developing and managing rules and regulations, and providing technical and safety guidelines for the sport.

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Women’s Commission

The role of the Women’s Commission is to advise the IMMAF Board of Directors on the development and implementation of an IMMAF women and sport policy and to promote equal opportunities for girls and women to participate in, and benefit from, amateur mixed martial arts as a sport and physical activity.

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Youth Development Commission

The role of the Youth Development Commission is to oversee programmes to guide young athletes on appropriate pathways for lifelong participation, competition preparation and personal development in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. The Commission will ensure that training pathways are created for all officials that adhere to the accepted concept of “Long term Athlete Development” (LTAD).

In addition, because young Athlete development frameworks need to be holistic and embrace the complex nature of athlete development, this Committee will cover Coaching, Regulatory affairs, Medical, Anti-doping and Ethics.

Part of the work of IMMAF is carried out by committees consisting of a number of people of different experience, backgrounds and nationalities. Most committees are composed of volunteers, but in some cases professionals may be appointed.

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Download Youth Development Commissions Terms of Reference