Governance News
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
French Anti-doping Agency makes surprise call in on Amateur MMA team trials
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. As MMA competition is not permitted in France and its legality contentious, the team selections were made through assessed training sessions. The selection day was open to applicants from all across France. According the CFMMA President, Bertrand Amoussou, they were taken aback by the arrival of Anti-doping officials just 15 minutes before the start of training, at 7:45am. […]
Competitor Safety Ladder sees Swedish amateurs progress to national team
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 of MMA. The direct effects of this can be seen in each and every competing Swedish fighter from the moment they begin their grass roots amateur career and throughout their days in the professional ranks. The results of this will be on display at the IMMAF European Open Championships of Amateur MMA later this month, taking place from November 19-22 […]
