As I return to my duties after laying my wife to rest, I am reminded of the values she lived by: honesty, integrity, and doing what is right even when it is difficult. Those values guide everything I say today. For more than a decade, IMMAF has built the global foundation of amateur Mixed Martial […]
Change takes effect from the 2026 European Youth Championships The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) will transition to the year-born system for all youth divisions (D, C, B, and A) starting in 2026, replacing the current date-of-birth eligibility rule. This change aligns IMMAF with international sport standards, creating a simpler and fairer framework for […]
IMMAF has announced a restructuring of its operations to further enhance efficiency and coordination in the areas of education and sports development. Under the new structure, all activities related to Coaches, Officials, Youth, Education and Certification will be consolidated within the SPORTS DEPARTMENT. These areas will be led by Andrew Moshanov, who will oversee the […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has released This Is Sport, a landmark publication that captures the data, stories, and progress driving the world’s fastest-growing combat sport. Compiled by IMMAF’s Strategy & Development department, the report brings together federation participation data, medical research, gender representation, and sustainability initiatives — offering a first-of-its-kind look at MMA’s […]
Tbilisi, Georgia – 1 October 2025 The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) gathered its global membership in Tbilisi for the 2025 General Assembly – a reflection of the sport’s continued growth and unity under IMMAF’s leadership. Member federations from across all continents came together to review the federation’s progress, approve financial and operational reports, […]
Hasan Khan In 1999, the Council of Europe issued Recommendation R(99)11 calling for the prohibition of “free fighting contests, such as cage fighting” due to concerns over safety, lack of regulation, and perceived associations with violence and criminality. At the time, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as a formalised sport was in its infancy. These events […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has selected leading direct-to-fan streaming platform provider, Joymo, to revamp and power IMMAF.tv, creating a new digital content hub for the global body for MMA. The dedicated video streaming platform launched last week with live coverage of the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Al Ain, which registered record-breaking […]
On June 26, 2025, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) unveiled a new Medal Reallocation Policy for handling doping disqualifications—with notification en route to rightful recipients and requests for medals to be returned by disqualified athletes. National Federations will have an opportunity to acknowledge receipt and organize delivery of upgrades to the relevant athletes. […]
The IMMAF Regulatory Affairs Department, under the leadership of Director Guilherme Bravo, has officially completed the revision of the IMMAF Rules Book for 2025. The updated manual is set for release before the Youth World Championships, scheduled for 20–27 July 2025 in Al Ain, UAE. “This edition brings not only structural clarity and updated competition […]
Hasan Khan As part of its continued drive to raise standards in athlete welfare, IMMAF has announced that its Safeguarding Liaison, Sophie Mueller, will begin the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Certificate: Safeguarding Officer in Sport course this September. The course, which is globally recognised and the first of its kind, marks a significant development in […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has implemented a new Medal Reallocation Policy, aimed at upholding the integrity and fairness of competition in cases where an athlete is disqualified due to a failed doping examination. The policy, approved by the IMMAF Board on May 28, 2025, has been developed in consultation with the IMMAF Athletes Commission […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is proud to officially welcome Ms. Rasha Mohammed Alkhamis as the newly appointed Chairwoman of the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation. Ms. Alkhamis’ appointment marks a significant milestone for both Saudi Arabia and the global MMA community. Her election is a reflection of her steadfast commitment to advancing […]
Hasan Khan At the 2025 World Police Summit in Dubai, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and Dubai Police formalised a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing law enforcement training through structured Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) education and coaching systems. The agreement establishes the foundation for a global coaching framework tailored for […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is happy to announce the appointment of Joanna Cook to its Safeguarding Commission. Joanna Cook brings with her a wealth of experience from the elite sporting world, with a proven track record in high-performance leadership, pathway development, and safeguarding. She currently serves as the Performance Lead for British […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is delighted to announce the appointment of Sharon Ogaji to its Safeguarding Commission. With an extensive background in sports safeguarding and athlete welfare, Ogaji brings a wealth of expertise to IMMAF’s efforts in promoting safe and ethical sporting environments. Ogaji is a dedicated Safeguarding Officer in Sports and […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is reinforcing its commitment to athlete safety and well-being by introducing two specialized Safeguarding Courses for its members. These courses are designed to educate and equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure a safe and inclusive sporting environment at IMMAF events. IMMAF has developed two […]
The FK Federation Combat has announced a significant leadership transition, as Donato Milano steps down from his role as President. Milano, a pivotal figure in the expansion of Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Savate, Shoot Boxe, Sambo and MMA in Italy, and on the global stage, leaves behind a legacy of dedication and progress. Under his leadership, […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with MMARAP (Mixed Martial Arts for Reform And Progression) to bring inclusivity to the forefront of mixed martial arts. This collaboration will see the adoption of MMARAP’s DILEMMA program, Disability, Inclusion, Learning & Empathy for Mixed Martial Arts. Scheduled for early […]
Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, one of the most iconic figures in Brazilian mixed martial arts, has been officially named an Ambassador for the IMMAF Technical Grading Scheme. A celebrated pioneer of the sport, Nogueira’s career is marked by an impressive professional record of 34-10-1. As a former Pride FC Heavyweight Champion and Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, […]
Renato Subotic, a highly respected figure in the global MMA community, has officially joined the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Coaching Commission. With over 12 years of involvement with IMMAF and 25 years of experience in MMA, Subotic has been instrumental in shaping the careers of fighters worldwide, contributing to the remarkable growth and […]
On November 9, during the 2024 IMMAF World Championships finals, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation hosted a Black Belt Awards Ceremony to honour the extraordinary achievements of 17 distinguished coaches. The black belt, a universal symbol of mastery and dedication in martial arts, was awarded to coaches who have excelled either by producing IMMAF […]
On behalf of the IMMAF Board and our CEO, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to every member of the IMMAF staff, volunteers, and the exceptional team at the Uzbekistan MMA Federation. Your hard work and commitment made this landmark event possible. A special thank you goes to our partners—UFC, BRAVE, RDX, all […]
On 9 November 2024, IMMAF members convened for the Ordinary General Assembly to review the 2023 achievements and chart strategic goals for the future. President Kerrith Brown, Interim Vice President Wissam Abi Nader, special guest Minister of Sport Adkham Ilkhamovich Ikramov, and the IMMAF Board of Directors were in attendance. CEO Densign White led the […]
On November 1, 2024, the Africa MMA Confederation (AMMAC) held its first elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) in an online session, attended by IMMAF President Kerrith Brown, CEO Densign White, and Africa Director Raymonde Phillips. This landmark event resulted in the election of AMMAC’s first official president, vice presidents, and board of directors, marking a […]
The Asia MMA Federation (AMMAF) convened its inaugural elective general assembly on November 5, 2024, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, coinciding with the IMMAF World Championships. Most member federations were present in person, with Japan and Kyrgyzstan participating virtually. Asia IMMAF Vice President Wissam Abi Nader was also in attendance at this pivotal gathering. IMMAF President Kerrith […]
We have been contacted by many of you in reaction to some rumors pertaining to the recognition of MMA by the IOC, such rumors being spread by GAMMA USA and possibly others after the UWW general assembly held on 27 October 2024 in Albania. Even though we did not have access to UWW meeting or […]
Abu Dhabi, UAE: In a significant achievement that further solidifies Abu Dhabi’s status as a global hub for combat sports, the Abu Dhabi Martial Arts Academy (ADMA) has announced its official accreditation from the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). This makes ADMA the first academy in the UAE to receive this prestigious international recognition, […]
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown had a productive conversation with Otabek Umarov, a key figure in the rise of combat sports in Central Asia, as preparations ramp up for the 2024 IMMAF World Championships. Umarov, who serves as Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), President of the Central Asian MMA Confederation, and Deputy […]
IMMAF is excited to announce a new partnership with MMAON, a revolutionary platform designed to empower athletes, federations, and trainers within the MMA community. What is MMAON? MMAON is a one-stop platform that provides a comprehensive suite of tools and resources specifically tailored for the needs of the MMA world. Whether you’re a seasoned fighter, […]
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, […]
Today, we embark on a compelling, 10-week journey that will educate and transform your understanding of fitness and well-being at a cellular level. Because, what happens if you haven’t treated your cells properly? Tired, not feeling fully sharp, prone to cramps and injury. You pushed yourself so hard yesterday, and today your body is simply […]
Athletes Commission’s Smajic and Shamkhalov Comment on Growth of Youth MMA After Attendance at 2024 IMMAF Youth Championships 2024 was another history-making year for the IMMAF Youth World Championships. Hosted in Abu Dhabi by the UAE MMA Federation, the 2024 IMMAF Youth World Championships demonstrated that elite youth competition might just be the fastest growing […]
Ahead of our 2024 World Championships in Uzbekistan, IMMAF President Kerrith Brown flew out to Tashkent to meet with Asian MMAF president Mohammed Qamber, Uzbekistan Sports Minister Afkham Ikramov, General secretary of NOC of Uzbekistan Oybek Kasimov and vice president of NOC Uzbekistan Sherzod Tashmatov. Speaking on the meeting ahead of our championships in November, […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is delighted to reconfirm its ground-breaking partnership with Cellnutrition Sport, the world’s leading developer of cellular fitness solutions, in the run-up to this year’s MMA Youth World Championships. The collaboration aims at maximising fighters’ safety and performance before, during, and after the tournament, with a close focus on brain hydration and […]
On July 30th IMMAF President Kerrith Brown, announced IMMAF’s plans to achieve recognition from SportAccord for the sport of MMA. Brown travelled out to Abu Dhabi earlier this week, ahead of IMMAF’s Youth World Championships starting on the 6th of August, to announce a groundbreaking renewal with Abu Dhabi which will see our Youth World […]
Abu Dhabi will be hosting the next three editions of the IMMAF Youth World Championships The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation have announced a three-year extension for the UAE to host the IMMAF Youth World Championships. This announcement was made during a press conference in […]
The International Mixed Arts Federation is delighted to announce that Team Sweden veteran, Daniyal Shamkhalov, will attend the 2024 IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi, UAE, as a Safeguarding Officer appointed by the IMMAF Safeguarding Commission. Daniyal, 25, is a member of the IMMAF Athletes Commission and retired from competition in 2022. He remains […]
Martial Arts have long been celebrated for their rich traditions, discipline, and most importantly, the structured path of skill development they offer. The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has embraced this cultural ethos by introducing the Youth MMA Grading progression scheme that has resulted in groundbreaking changes in how people perceive and learn MMA […]
As of the 29th of June 2024, IMMAF have decided to implement an exclusive new weight category policy which will further protect its athletes and their welfare. The policy will be implemented for the first time at the World Championships in Uzbekistan, this coming October. The board of Directors raised their concerns relating to extreme and […]
IMMAF were present at Major Events International’s 2024 Hosts and Federations Summit last week. IMMAF CEO Densign White MBE, travelled out to Lausanne Switzerland on Monday 17th of June with the aim of representing our federation and further increasing our opportunities to take IMMAF’s championships further around the world. The summit, designed to provide an environment […]
On behalf of the IMMAF Board & CEO, I would like to thank our hosts, the Namibia MMA federation, Natasha De Sousa, president of the federation, and her team, as well as Carlos De Sousa for hosting a fantastic African Championships, which held for the first time a Youth edition. I would also like to […]
Mr. Brown talked about the efforts of National Federations in Africa and the progress that the sport is making in the continent The 2024 edition of the IMMAF African Championship began yesterday with the first-ever Youth African tournament, marking a significant milestone in the development of MMA on the continent. The action from Windhoek, Namibia, […]
A veteran in the regulatory side of Mixed Martial Arts, Guilherme Bravo took on the important role of Head of Refereeing at the 2024 IMMAF European Championships held in Serbia from March 29 to April 6, and has now been appointed as the new Director of IMMAF Regulatory Affairs. In his new role, Bravo will […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has announced the appointment of Wissam Abi Nader, Valentina David and Mohamed Ali Qamber as the new non-executive directors of the federation. Wissam Abi Nader, previously serving as the Asia Director, has been promoted to interim Vice-President of IMMAF. With a lifelong dedication to martial arts and a […]
Shooting legend Zorana Arunovic (standing in the middle in the photo above) has been impressed with what she has seen during her two-day stay as a Safeguarding Officer of the IMMAF European Championships, in its Youth edition. The tournament ran from March 30 to March 31, with the Junior & Senior editions set to continue from April 2 […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) continues in its mission to further the sport on a global scale with President Kerrith Brown having visited China last week. He was welcomed by the Wushu Management Center of the General Administration of Sport, with the support of the CIMMAF (Chinese International MMA Federation), and fruitful discussions […]
IMMAF is delighted to announce the addition of Amanda Ribas and Irman Smajic as non-executive members of the Board of Directors. Amanda and Irman join the IMMAF Board of Directors as athlete representatives with their combined experience as IMMAF champions and professional contenders enabling the IMMAF leadership to benefit from a world class athlete perspective. […]
In the dynamic setting of the International Convention Center (ICC), IMMAF President Kerrith Brown and CEO Densign White graced the SportAccord World & Business Summit. The prestigious event, hosted by the City of Birmingham and the West Midlands Growth Company from the 7th to the 11th of April 2024, brought together industry leaders and visionaries […]
Olympic ties and a 40-year friendship united several titans of sports in Serbia as IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) president Kerrith Brown and IMMAF CEO Densign White met with Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, and World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon in Belgrade, as both the IMMAF and World Athletics prepared to oversee an intense day of competitions within their chosen […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), the governing body for amateur MMA globally, today announces BitDelta, a leading cryptocurrency exchange enabling diverse asset and commodity trading, as its official global trading platform partner. The groundbreaking partnership will see IMMAF and BitDelta work collaboratively to support the evolution of Mixed Martial Arts on a worldwide […]
The International Testing Agency ITA will start a new webinar series on the topic of anti-doping on Tuesday 9 April 2024. It involves five dates on different topics. There is a separate registration link for each topic. It is important that participants register separately for each session using the links below, as they are stand-alone webinars. […]
The International Testing Agency (ITA), official anti-doping partner of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), the is set to hold a February webinar dedicated to “A coach’s role in clean sport” with athletes, coaches, and other support personnel all invited to sign up. IMMAF and the ITA started an official partnership on January 1st, […]
AMATEUR MMA COMPETITORS WILL BENEFIT FROM ROBUST ANTI-DOPING PROGRAM PRESERVING CLEAN SPORT The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has officially partnered with the International Testing Agency (ITA). With the initial 4-year contract starting on January 1st, 2024, the ITA will aim to provide IMMAF with a high-quality anti-doping program, which includes independent results management […]
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has informed its members of the latest updates to safeguarding requirements to be completed by all coaches attending IMMAF competition with their national teams in 2024. 2024 marks the latest step in IMMAF youth safeguarding. As indicated in 2023, alongside the introduction of the Declaration of Honour, all […]
IMMAF’s policy for the annual revalidation of referees and judges is set to play a key condition in the selection of IMMAF-certified Referees and Judges to officiate in IMMAF events throughout 2024. The annual revalidation process aims to establish transparent pathways for the professional advancement of IMMAF-certified specialists, progressing from National level C to Continental […]
On Friday 7 February, the Ministry of Sport officially announced that MMA will be regulated in France under the auspices of the French Boxing Federation. The announcement was made by Sports Minister, Roxana Maracineanu, at a dedicated press conference. [Watch press announcement video via Boxe Mag – French Language] The Minister formalised the French Boxing […]
The Board of Directors of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) met on 7/8 February in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, to formulate policy and approve action plans for 2020. The IMMAF Directors agreed to step up efforts to gain official recognition from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Global Association of International Sports Federation (GAISF) […]
[London. 7 February 2020] The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and the Comité Français de Mixed Martial Arts (CFMMA) welcome today’s official announcement by the French Ministry of Sport that MMA is to be legalised in France under the auspices of the French Boxing Federation. IMMAF President Kerrith Brown commented: “The official announcement is […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
The German Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GEMMAF) has announced the completion of an agreement to further unite MMA in Germany, expanding unified goals for regulatory and development standards within the sport. In 2019 GEMMAF merged with counterpart, GAMMAF, to unify Germany’s standout governing bodies under the GEMMAF banner following the merger of international umbrella bodies, […]
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 national team tryouts in France for the 2016 IMMAF World Championships took a surprising turn when the French Anti-doping Agency arrived unannounced to test the athletes. Hosted by the Commission Française de Mixed Martial Arts (CFMMA), the team trials took place last weekend on Sunday 31 January at Paris Fight Team headquarters at 16 rue capron. […]
Picture: Anja Saxmark (left) receives her silver medal at the 2015 IMMAF World Championships of Amateur MMA from SMMAF and IMMAF founder August Wallen As the founding nation of IMMAF, Sweden and the Swedish Mixed Martial Arts Federation (SMMAF) boasts some of the best and most effective government relations seen anywhere in the world for the sport […]
