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IMMAF REFEREE & JUDGES LICENSING

IMMAF awards licenses for refereeing and judging internationally in MMA. The licenses are awarded on completion of an IMMAF International Referee & Judges Certification course and on the basis of individuals referee and judging competency and experience.

In order to be eligible to participate in an IMMAF International event as an official all entrants must have completed and successfully passed the Referee & Judge course. 

For more information on upcoming courses and interest in hosting an IMMAF certified Referee & Judge Certification course hosted and presented by Andrew Moshanov, please send your enquiry to [email protected]

IMMAF Cutman Licensing

IMMAF Award Levels C, B & A

The IMMAF Cutman Progression includes 3 levels (C, B & A) with professional licenses issued at levels B (National Level) and A (International Level). Licenses are awarded on completion of IMMAF Cutman Certification courses and based on records of events serviced, as outlined below.


Class C Certificate

This is an entry level course on which a certificate of attendance can be obtained. The aim is to provide participants with a general education in the field and the course is designed as an introduction for participants who would like to progress to the Class B licensing course.

A Class C course certificate of attendance enables participants to shadow experienced, IMMAF qualified Cutmen of Class A level.

Their duties may consist of:

  • Hand wrapping
  • Greasing athletes before entering the Octagon
  • Shadowing an experienced Cutman with Class A status on amateur or professional events

A Class C Cutman should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the Unified Rules of MMA.

A minimum of 3 months must pass before Class C course participants may sit the Class B Cutman Certification Course Exam.

Class B License – National Level

Participants who have served a minimum of 3 months shadowing Class A Cutmen may apply through their national federation to sit the Class B written and practical examination.

A Class B license will allow them to service amateur matches only that take place over 3 x 3 minute rounds and only after they have participated in Fetac Level 5 first aid course, or similar.

Each participant will be handed an activity logbook which demands that they service a minimum of 20 MMA events to include an average 280 bouts, over a minimum time frame of 2 years from the time and date of being issued the Class B licence. The logbook can only be signed off by IMMAF officials at national IMMAF events and forwarded for review on completion of attendance to the required number of events/ bouts. Only IMMAF official signatures, dates, the event and duties may be entered into the log book which may be presented as evidence on application for Class A Licensing.

On completion of the logbook, Class B Cutmen must service an event under a Class A Cutman.

To be successful in their application for a Class A licence, a Class B Cutman must demonstrate;

  • an understanding of the role of a Cutman under the Unified Rules of MMA
  • an understanding of core values of the profession e.g. fighter safety first over self promotion
  • adherence to the use of natural hemostatic agents only (i.e. non prescribed substances that do not require training such as alginate dressings in the treatment of wounds)
  • adherence to dress code and professionalism.

The Class A License – International Level

In order to be eligible to participate in an IMMAF International Cutman Certification course, participants must already have a national level Cutman Certificates Grades C & B and have a minimum of two years national level experience.

Those who have just qualified and attained a Class A licence as a Cutman may service both amateur and professional matches, including main event and title fights.

Each participant will be provided with an activity logbook which demands that they service a minimum of 30 MMA Events, to include approximately 420 bouts within a minimum time frame of 3 years from the time and date of being issued a Class A licence. The logbook can only be signed off by IMMAF officials, including Class A Cutmen at national & international amateur and professional events. The logbook will be forwarded for review on completion of the required bouts, in order that the Cutman may retain his/ her Class A license.

It is mandatory that IMMAF licensed Cutmen participate in a minimum of 10 hours of Career Professional Development annually e.g. first aid courses, wound care, research, evidence based an referenced articles which can be published or submitted for review through IMMAF.

IMMAF OFFICIALS COURSES

The IMMAF International Referees and Judges Certification Course

The two day IMMAF International Referees and Judges Certification Course caters for experienced officials, and includes both theoretical and practical teaching and assessments. The qualification attained is a prerequisite to officiating at IMMAF championship events.

Please contact your National Federation for information about upcoming dates and to apply.

Entry Requirements

  • National Level Federation course or approval from Federation Officer/ license (in any country or state) or IMMAF officials certificate
  • 2 years officiating experience
  • Recommendation letter from national federation


Syllabus – Day 1

The course covers:

  • The Unified Rules of MMA
  • Fouls – explanations and break down
  • Responsibilities
  • Code of Conduct and ethics – in fight scenarios and how they are dealt with
  • Mock sparring demonstration (all participants shall referee one round of action)


Syllabus – Day 2

  • 10 point must, scoring criteria and its application.
  • Decisions and ways to win
  • Mock judging of a 5 round fight that all participants shall score
  • Written examination paper (60 minutes)
  • Q&A session

IMMAF National Level Referees and Judges Certification Course

Please contact your National Federation for details of upcoming national level officials courses in your region.

Where national federations do not offer their own course or licensing system, IMMAF provides national level courses and assessments all over the world. Member federations may contact [email protected] for information.

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