By Frank Bonada In the first week of October, two former IMMAF Champions made waves with statement victories, continuing their ascent in the professional MMA scene. At Octagon 64, two-time IMMAF World Champion Yersultan Shakenbay delivered an impressive pro debut. The Kazakh flyweight squared off against Dastan Kanybek Uulu in a fiercely contested flyweight bout […]
We are delighted to announce that Daniyal Shamkhalov has agreed terms to become IMMAFs Lead Safeguarding Officer. The 25-year-old attended IMMAF’s Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi as part of the Safeguarding staff and will now Lead on IMMAF’s approach to safeguarding for future events. A graduate from Uppsala Universitet with a Master of Law, […]
As President of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, I am proud to have returned to the UAE for the fourth time in our history. This Championship marks the third year running that the Youth World Championships have taken place in collaboration with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation. With 850 athletes from […]
Youth Categories to Be Held Alongside Senior and Junior Tournaments for the Very First Time • Belgrade, Serbia – Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall • 29 March – 6 April 2024• Senior, Junior & Youth Tournaments The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is happy to announce the official scheduling of the 2024 IMMAF European Championships, […]
By Frank Bonada Over the past decade, the IMMAF pathway has proven to be an invaluable asset for amateur MMA athletes, paving the way for their subsequent success in the professional scene. A decade after the inaugural IMMAF World Championships in 2014, the benefits of a well-nurtured amateur career are becoming increasingly evident. Held in […]
By Frank Bonada The year 2023 proved to be a landmark period for IMMAF alumni who transitioned into the professional ranks of mixed martial arts. Former IMMAF competitors celebrated victorious debuts, ascended to title contention and a select few even secured coveted championship accolades. The relationship between IMMAF and BRAVE CF continues to bear fruit, […]
By Frank Bonada The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, effective from January 1, 2024. The full list can be seen here As a WADA Code signatory, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) supports all changes made by WADA to uphold the sport’s integrity and keep […]
By Frank Bonada On the final day of the 2023 IMMAF Asian Championships, the next wave of Asia’s mixed martial artists faced off for the honour of claiming an IMMAF continental title. IMMAF record breaker Gadzhi Gadzhiev (Bahrain), a standout competitor across Youth, Junior, and Senior divisions, showcased his prowess once again. In the Senior […]
By Frank Bonada The penultimate day of the 2023 IMMAF Asian Championships saw fierce competition amongst Asia’s emerging MMA talents as each athlete looked to secure a coveted spot in the Finals. Kazakhstan once again stole the spotlight as Adilhan Ginayatov delivered the tournament’s standout moment so far, landing a spectacular head kick KO against […]
By Frank Bonada Day 3 of the 2023 IMMAF Asian Championships marked the beginning of the Senior and Junior bouts, as the best of Asia clashed in the Quarter-Finals. Host nation Bahrain, as well as Team Lebanon both topped the power rankings, with three wins apiece. Bahrain’s Mahammat Hissein put on one of the most […]
By Frank Bonada IMMAF World and Continental Champion Otabek Rajabov has officially inked a multi-fight deal with professional MMA promotion Cage Glory Championship, widely known as CGC. Fresh from his stellar performance at the 2023 IMMAF World Championships, Tajikistan’s Otabek Rajabov exits the amateur ranks with two World titles to his name, as well as […]
By Frank Bonada The second day of the 2023 IMMAF Asian Championships unfolded with Youth A athletes vying for a shot at continental gold. Kazakhstan took over Team UAE’s status as the tournament’s dominant force, securing all but two of the available gold medals. A clear standout was Kazakhstan’s new welterweight star, Chingiz Nurakhmetov, who […]
By Frank Bonada The opening day of the 2023 IMMAF Asian Championships commenced with the Youth B and C age brackets, setting the stage for an exciting showcase of amateur mixed martial arts in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The show stealers of the day were undeniably Team UAE, following their highly successful Youth World Championships […]
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown and Board Member Wissam Abi Nader were in attendance for the Saudi Games alongside the Executive Director of the Saudi Federation Abdullah Al-Hazaa. With mixed martial arts included in the Games as a demonstration sport, the IMMAF delegates witnessed the next generation of Saudi mixed martial artists compete on a national […]
By Frank Bonada 2015 IMMAF World gold medallist Frans Mlambo will compete to become PFL Europe Bantamweight Champion on December 8. Since his days with IMMAF, Mlambo has seamlessly transitioned from the amateur MMA circuit to become a prominent figure in the world of professional mixed martial arts. His combat sports journey has been marked […]
By Frank Bonada The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) today announced that the 2023 IMMAF World Championships, held in Tirana, Albania, the 2023 European City of Sport, broke records across the board in terms of digital viewership. Taking place from the 20th to the 25th of November, the 2023 IMMAF World Championships showcased the […]
By Frank Bonada A true trailblazer of Finnish and European MMA, Minna Grusander has announced her decision to retire from the sport of MMA. The impact of Grusander’s career as a mixed martial artist resonates far beyond her competitive years, having more than left her mark on Finland’s MMA landscape and standing as a key […]
By Frank Bonada Fresh off the historic 2023 IMMAF World Championships in Tirana, Albania, anticipation is soaring for the upcoming 2023 IMMAF Asian Championships. This landmark event, working in partnership with BRAVE Combat Federation, is poised to deliver an unforgettable spectacle, solidifying its place as the most significant amateur MMA event on the continent. In […]
On the final day of the 2023 IMMAF World Championships, the very best under the IMMAF banner faced off for a shot at the most prestigious of amateur MMA awards, an IMMAF World Senior Title. Despite fielding one of the smallest nations in the Championships, Team Brazil were mightily impressive in the Senior Finals. All […]
The Junior World finals saw a new set of MMA stars born on the penultimate day of the 2023 IMMAF World Championships. The day was stacked with exciting results as big underdogs and IMMAF newcomers captured gold medals on the highest stage of amateur MMA. In a rematch between last year’s finalists, Czech’s Tagir Machmudov, […]
Get your special 2-day 2023 IMMAF World Championships pass through our Black Friday deal. Buy now for $2.99 at IMMAF.tv In the 2023 IMMAF World Championships semi-finals, the very best in the world of amateur MMA clashed for a spot in the Senior and Junior Finals. After having his first two opponents fall through, […]
Day 3 of the 2023 IMMAF World Championships saw the stakes rise to a near-insurmountable level as athletes competed for a spot in the semi-finals. After being in the shadow of Ukraine and Kazakhstan for much of the tournament, Tajikistan finally took the lead with 16 wins across the day. Fans worldwide tuned in to […]
The second day of the 2023 IMMAF World Championships elevated the tournament to brand new heights, building on an already spectacular opening stanza. Returning champions continued to build on their past successes, while emerging talents left an indelible mark on the landscape of amateur MMA. Team Kazakhstan continued to assert its dominance, securing numerous decisive […]
The 2023 IMMAF World Championships commenced with a riveting start, showcasing amateur Mixed Martial Arts at its finest. Taking place at the Tirana Olympic Park in Albania, athletes representing nations all across the world competed for the chance to claim IMMAF gold. Team Kazakhstan and Team Ukraine asserted their dominance, firmly positioning themselves as frontrunners […]
By Frank Bonada At the 2023 International Mixed Martial Arts Federation World Championships, Finland’s breakout star, Sani Brannfors, will seek to etch her name into the annals of IMMAF greatness. Already a Youth and Junior World Champion, Brannors will attempt the remarkable feat of completing the trifecta, by capturing a Senior World Championships gold medal. […]
From IMMAF to the UFC, Brazil’s Amanda Ribas is one of the biggest stars to emerge from the Pan-American continent. The daughter of respected Brazilian Martial Arts coach, Marcelo Ribas, Amanda began training from a very young age. Initially joining a national Judo youth team, she would later find her true calling in Mixed Martial […]
Main picture: Hocine Mesboua (Algeria), IMMAF Director Wissam Abi Nader, Africa Union Chairman Avinash (Mauritius), IMMAF President Kerrith Brown and IMMAF Africa Director, Raymond Phillips at formation meeting in Bahrain, November 2019. The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is proud to announce the creation of its first Area Committee in Africa. The African Committee […]
The inspiring power of community was recently on display within Afghanistan’s developing MMA scene. National regulatory body, The Afghan MMA Federation (AMMAF), which caters to grass roots development of MMA within the nation, welcomed over 250 young athletes to compete at an amateur championships in Kabul on January 9. “254 athletes participated from 11 provinces,” […]
London – 21 January – The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) welcomes the announcement earlier today that the French Boxing Federation has been given the responsibility of supervising the first phase of development of the sport of MMA in France. This decision, by the French Sport Ministry, is part of a historic legalisation of […]
IMMAF world lightweight gold medalist Michelle Montague recently took to Instagram, teasing a move to the women’s featherweight division of amateur MMA’s premier international platform, on the hunt for more competition. The 26-year-old announced herself under the IMMAF banner in 2019 while representing the New Zealand national team. Montague quickly established herself as one of […]
Main picture: IMMAF Board celebrates at the close of the inaugural IMMAF World Championships in Las Vegas in 2014 , with August Wallen centre facing. The lessons learned the hard way in Sweden helped to make IMMAF what it is today. Founder August Wallen talks to immaf.org about IMMAF’s origins. “IMMAF’s journey began during dark […]
[LONDON – 15 January 2020] A hearing, requested by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in the dispute regarding recognition of IMMAF as an official signatory to the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA), took place on Tuesday 14 January in Lausanne, Switzerland. IMMAF CEO Densign White was present together with representatives from IMMAF’s legal representatives […]
What if the original face of amateur MMA took on today’s most talked about amateur champion, who would have taken victory in this battle of IMMAF bantamweight prodigies? Jose Torres (USA) In his early 20’s Jose Torres earned gold at the inaugural IMMAF World Championships in Las Vegas 2014 and retained the title in 2015 […]
Athletes from Canada, Finland and India have joined the list of contenders set to challenge at the 2020 IMMAF Oceania Open in March, joining standouts from the UK, Bahrain and host nation Australia. The event will also welcome the first appearance of a French Polynesia national team and will feature five athletes making their international […]
IMMAF, the world governing body for amateur Mixed Martial Arts, is proud to welcome Venezuela as its latest international observational member. Venezuela becomes the 13th IMMAF member in the Pan-American Area, joining Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, El Salvador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA. IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said: “MMA is […]
FRENCH POLYNESIAN TEAM TO COMPETE IN IMMAF OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIPS In France’s mainland the Sports Ministry has postponed its decision about the guardianship of MMA and its legalisation until February. Meanwhile, in France’s overseas territory of French Polynesia, a Public Service Delegation (DSP) was granted on December 27 for the Federation of Wrestling, mixed martial arts, […]
IMMAF, the World Governing Body for the sport of amateur Mixed Martial Arts, has resumed legal action against the World Anti-Doping Agency. The case between IMMAF and WADA will be heard at the Tribunal d’Arrondissement in Lausanne on 14th January 2020. IMMAF is challenging the decision in the ordinary Swiss Courts because IMMAF’s application to […]
The 2020 IMMAF events calendar kicks off the new year with the Oceania Open Championships taking place from 6 – 8 March at Australia’s Gold Coast Recreation Centre on Palm Beach. In previous years the event has served up a collision for Australia and New Zealand’s national teams to battle for superiority of the continental […]
See listed below the IMMAF competitors for the 2015 World Championships at UFC® International Fight Week, pending final review. Competitors are listed as entered by their national federations, both by national team and by weight class. A handful more athletes are yet to be finalised (due to matters such as visas and injury). Please note […]
