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Tickets on Sale: 2020 IMMAF Oceania Open Championships
Watch world-class MMA athletes from around the world compete on the Gold Coast, as the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation brings its three-day, nation vs nation tournament to Australia from 6 to 8 March with the 2020 IMMAF Oceania Open Championships. Highlights include watching the Australian National Team go toe-to-toe against international World Champions from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Bahrain, amongst talent from across 13 nations. Watch rising MMA stars here first; New Zealand’s World Lightweight Champion and Olympic (wrestling) hopeful, Michelle Montague, and world #1 ranked junior amateur, Muhammed Mokaev (England). Opponents are selected randomly by tournament draw across male and female weight divisions, meaning competitors only learn who they will […]
IMMAF Medalist Santoro Claims First Pro MMA Title in The UK
As a veteran medalist of the IMMAF platform, Giacomo Santoro (pictured, at the 2018 IMMAF European Open) is the latest European standout to win a domestic MMA title in the UK. The charismatic 24-year-old fighter kicked off his professional career on the evening of February 8 with a rear-naked-choke submission triumph that saw him claim the Fusion Fighting Championships’ pro flyweight title. Santoro bested Elliot Hoye, an English up-and-comer of notable experience. In 2017 and 2018 Santoro qualified for the Italian amateur MMA team via the national circuit under FIGMMA, Italy’s MMA regulatory body. He represented Italy at the 2017 IMMAF World Championships where he reached the quarter-final stage in […]
What’s Next for MMA in France?
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 Federation as host for the development of MMA until December 31, 2020. She also confirmed that MMA is now recognised in France and that professional competitions could be organised. “This is an anticipated day for lovers of MMA,” said Maracineanu. “Their passion is recognised today. I took the time to discover this sport that I […]
IMMAF Board Approves 2020 Action Plans & Welcomes Uzbekistan as New Member
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) while continuing to strengthen IMMAF’s operational capacity. The membership of IMMAF Commissions was approved, as was a new IT platform designed to ensure efficiency of communication. In addition, a 2020 Action Plan for each team was approved. IMMAF was also pleased to welcome a new member from Uzbekistan (with Observation status). The formation of Area […]
French Sports Ministry Announces Official Decision for MMA to be Housed within Boxing – MMA Governing Bodies Respond
[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 a crucial step on the path to creating a dynamic MMA structure in France. IMMAF will continue to supply constructive support and advice to all the MMA stakeholders.” IMMAF Board Director and CFMMA Co-President, Bertrand Amoussou said: “After many years of commitment and hard work by MMA activists in France, it is a major milestone […]
IMMAF Africa Open Championships Returns to South Africa for 2020
Registration opens for athletes today The International MMA Federation announces the return of its Africa Open Championships to Johannesburg, South Africa, as registration opens today to MMA’s elite amateurs from around the globe. Those wishing to compete should contact their National Federation for information. Hosted by MMASA (Mixed Martial Arts South Africa), IMMAF’s 3-day, nation vs nation tournament will take place this year at the new EFC Performance Institute from 15 – 18 April 2020, with the Tournament Draw on 14 April. The Championships will be available to watch at IMMAF.TV and the programming schedule will be published shortly. Africa broadened its footprint on the international mixed martial arts platform in 2019, with […]
Australia’s MMA Prospects Excited to Face World’s Best at Oceania Open
In five weeks time Australia’s amateur MMA prospects will be taking on some of the world’s very best at the 2020 IMMAF Oceania Open Championships on the Gold Coast. This year the Oceania Open is set to enjoy an added influx of world champion talent with four reigning gold medalists of the IMMAF World Championships looking to claim the continental title, including New Zealand’s women’s lightweight world champion Michelle Montague, Bahrain’s Ramazan Gitinov (welterweight) and Murtaza Talha Ali (light-heavyweight), plus the renown UK prodigy Muhammad Mokaev (men’s bantamweight). Australia currently occupies 7th place in the senior team world rankings and the Australian MMA Federation has made clear its statement of […]
IMMAF Creates first Regional Committee in Africa
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 is will be the first of a global network of representative bodies to help deliver IMMAF strategy and goals more effectively at national level. IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said: “This is a key strategic development for IMMAF and proves that our organisation has reached a mature stage of its development. Our African Committee, made up […]
2020 Swedish Amateur MMA Finals: Results and Video
The 2020 Swedish Amateur MMA National Championships concluded this past weekend with finals taking place on January 26 in the city of Gothenburg. Under the Swedish MMA Federation (SMMAF), the national amateur championships span three divisions separating experience levels: C-Class, B-Class and A-Class. A-Class competitors compete under the elite level IMMAF Unified Amateur MMA Rules with SMMAF finalists battling for qualification to the national team ahead of the 2020 IMMAF international championships events schedule. Watch the full SMMAF national championships finals below via Kimurase and scroll down for A-Class results and list of medalists. For full results including C-Class and B-Class, visit mmanytt.se. Finals (A-Class) Results: Men’s Flyweight: Sebastian Gonzalez […]
Afghan MMA Community Comes Together; Over 250 Athletes Compete in Kabul Event
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,” the AMMAF stated. “It was very effective for the development of Amateur MMA and its athletes, many who travel from far provinces for their wish to compete in these events, and so we pave the ground for them. They gained good experience before returning home to their provinces, Afghan people are very talented and these […]
French Sport Ministry chooses Boxing as host federation for MMA
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 the sport of MMA in France. In a statement, the Ministry said: “Having requested and analysed all relevant information received from a number of combat federations who were interested in welcoming MMA, we have decided, by an official Ministerial Decision, to delegate the sport of MMA to the French Boxing Federation.” It has been made […]
Lightweight World Champion Michelle Montague Teases Move To Featherweight
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 the most imposing and physically impressive athletes at the international level, dominating at both the Oceania Open and World Championships, accumulating a trio of first round submission wins in addition to a single knockout triumph. Not wholly content with reigning over the -155lbs ranks, Montague is an athlete in search of challenges and is strongly […]
IMMAF Origins Story: “We believed in the mission”
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 times in Sweden, when MMA, and all full-contact combat sports faced the threat of a ban,” said August. IMMAF’s story begins in Sweden where a martial artist called August Wallen had the vision, the plan, and like all good fighters, the discipline and determination to change the world. In 2005 Sweden elected a new Sport Minister […]
IMMAF CEO “Satisfied” with Progress of Case to Gain WADA Recognition
[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 (Gros & Waltenspühl). The hearing was technical and its main purpose was to restrict (from both parties) the number of statements to be disputed and for which witnesses will be called. WADA requested a suspension of the proceedings, on the grounds that the admission process to the WADA is currently being modified and that the 2021 […]
IMMAF Fantasy Matchmaking: Jose Torres vs. Muhammad Mokaev
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 to become the first ever two-time IMMAF world champion. After his two years competing on the IMMAF platform Torres was the world’s most recognised amateur prospect and the top talent within Team USA at a time when the nation was the leading force of the World Championships. Torres blazed a trail for the prominence of […]
Additions From Canada, Finland, India and French Polynesia Join 2020 Oceania Open Challenge
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 debuts following last week’s announcement confirming the region as an IMMAF member. French Polynesia has become the first French territory to supervise the practice of MMA and Amateur MMA under a government mandate. Canada’s’ Justin Grey continues his travels, entering the men’s featherweight division as a veteran of the 2018 IMMAF World Championships and 2019 […]
IMMAF International Growth Continues as Venezuela Becomes New Member
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 growing fast around the world with the Pan-American region one of the most diverse and dedicated. IMMAF is consistently investing in the continent with sports’ development resources, and we are excited about the potential of this region, especially with the Pan-American Open Championships heading to Cancun, Mexico in May, which is a renowned destination for […]
French Polynesia becomes the First French Territory to Legalise MMA
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, jiu jitsu and associated disciplines (FPLALDA) to supervise the practice of MMA and Amateur MMA competitions. A decree was published on January 3 in the Official Journal of French Polynesia. A Public Service Delegation can only be granted to a sports federation by the country’s President on the advice of the French Polynesia Olympic Committee: […]
GEMMAF Confirms Additional Merge of MMA Governing Bodies in Germany
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 and WMMAA. Despite this, GAMMAF representatives later separated from the national unity, dividing the German scene once again. Founded in 2014, GEMMAF serves as the oldest and largest regulatory body for German MMA and has been working with the UFC since 2014. GEMMAF begins 2020 by expanding its reach further upon merging with GAMMA², […]
IMMAF Resumes Legal Action Against WADA
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 WADA for signatory status has been rejected. IMMAF CEO Densign White, said: “At the end of August 2019 we accepted a request of WADA to postpone our court case (scheduled for 4 September) to allow them more time to review the current procedure for a sport organisation to become a signatory. But now WADA has […]
IMMAF World Champions Set Sights on 2020 Oceania Open
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 Open. In 2020, the opportunity for a major impact presents itself with world leading contenders from Bahrain and UK added to the fold, set to challenge for the Oceania Open titles. Two-time junior bantamweight World champion and European Open gold medalist, the undefeated Muhammad Mokaev (21-0) of the English national team begins the most compelling […]
2019 IMMAF – WMMAA Pan American Open Championships
ATHLETE REGISTRATION OPENS TODAY! Athlete registration opens today for the 2019 IMMAF- WMMAA Pan American Open Championships of amateur MMA. Hosted by national federation, Empire Mixed Martial Arts Bahamas, the tournament is scheduled to take place from 15 to 18 May 2019 in Nassau, at the Kendal G. L Isaacs National Gymnasium at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre. Amateur MMA competitors from all IMMAF-WMMAA affiliated nations are welcomed to participate across 14 weight categories, from Atomweight to Lightweight for women, and Strawweight to Super Heavyweight for men. There is a limit of 8 participants for each weight category. Gold, silver and 2 bronze medals will be available to win in […]
