2017 IMMAF European Open Championships

29 March – 2 April 2017
Tournament Draw: 28 March

The 2017 IMMAF European Open Championships took place in Bulgaria’s capital city, Sofia, from 29 March to 2 April 2017 at the EFE Hotel Marinela.

With IMMAF’s 2016 European Open completed at the end of November, demand for more competition in the region led to IMMAF returning to the continent for its first event of 2017.The 2016 IMMAF European Open attracted more than 150 athletes from 30 countries to compete in the nation vs nation, Amateur MMA tournament. With new national teams and athletes debuting, fresh challenges were posed in each division bringing some notable upsets. Finals day saw the crowning of new and reinstated European champions, with Sweden and Bulgaria dominating the medal stakes and topping the IMMAF World Amateur MMA Rankings. The contest attracted the attendance of notable professional promoters.

Besides 5 days of competitive action, the fight week also included an MMA seminar series for IMMAF members that encompassed the science and research around weight-cutting, Cutman education and MMA business.

Hosted by the Bulgarian MMA Federation (BULMMAF), the 2017 IMMAF European Open Championships increased competitive opportunities for returning veterans and new talent alike, as IMMAF’s talent pool continues to deepen.

As part of the week, IMMAF presented its second seminar series for participants to include MMA training seminars on later days for athletes no longer in the competition. The event is expected to again attract 150+ competitors.

IMMAF enjoyed broadcast deals with Extreme Sports Channel, BT Sport, UFC FIGHT PASS, Combate Channel, Bahrain TV, Sky Sports (New Zealand) and ITW, with further new deals soon to be announced.

The Bulgarian MMA Federation was formed in 2013 by a collective of clubs and gyms and affiliated with IMMAF in 2014. Headed by former UFC competitor, Stanislav Nedkov, the organisation is formally recognised by Bulgaria’s Ministry of Sport, which is endorsing the event.

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