History was made at the 2019 European Open Championships last weekend, with the first joint meeting of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) board with nominees to the board from the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA), ahead of elections at the November AGM in Bahrain.
This meeting in Rome was a decisive milestone in the World Governing Body’s quest for recognition, as it proved that one, legitimate and credible organisation has now replaced two rival bodies, who had been founded independently from within the MMA community. The companies merged as a legal entity in 2018, with WMMAA staff joining the IMMAF team.
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said:
"I am delighted to see how our desire to overcome rivalry in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts has led to this day. Our brand is growing in strength through our drive for new members, our organisation of major championship events, our protocols that raise the bar for MMA safety. We are also constantly refining our regulatory developments and the implementation of progression pathways and educational licensing courses. Together, we have built a compelling case to gain GAISF Observer recognition."
WMMAA President Vadim Finkelchtein:
"As President of WMMAA, it’s an honour for my team to take part in our first joint meeting. I am confident that we will be able to take the sport of MMA to a new level internationally. By joining forces, we have become a truly global organisation and are offering world class services to our National Federations and Athletes. "
WMMAA Board members present were Vadim Finkelchtein, Viktor Frolov, Svetlana Odintsova, Galimzhan Yessenov, Tatiana Klimenko and Han Jiuli, and a wide ranging discussion led to a renewed commitment to providing world class representation and support for the athlete participants and National Federations of amateur Mixed Martial Arts.
ENDS
IMMAF- WMMAA is the global governing body for MMA working for the development, recognition and regulation of the sport.
IMMAF - WMMAA has a seven-year track record of organising international amateur MMA Championships and developing the sport globally.
It takes at least three years of organisational compliance to meet the sport recognition criteria required by the Global Association of International Sports Federations.
According to GAISF’s own website, IMMAF - WMMAA meets all known criteria.
IMMAF- WMMAA has 110 member federations with National Olympic Committee recognition in around 50 countries.
With Olympian leaders coming from judo, IMMAF- WMMAA fully respects Olympic values.
IMMAF-WMMAA has a democratically elected board, audited accounts, General Assemblies, a robust anti-doping programme and a qualifying number of recognised members.
IMMAF-WMMAA governance is subject to independent audit by the Sport Integrity Global Alliance.
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