International Mixed Martial Arts Federation

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International Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Abbreviation(IMMAF)
Formation29 February 2012;12 years ago (2012-02-29)
Type Sports federation
PurposeMixed martial arts sanctioning organization
Headquarters Grono
Location
Region served
Worldwide
Membership
123
President
 Kerrith Brown [1] [2]
Website immaf.org

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) was founded on 29 February 2012 as the international governing body for amateur mixed martial arts (MMA). Registered as a non-profit organization under Swedish law, IMMAF serves as a democratic hub for national MMA federations and supports the growth of regulation and sport safety globally by aiding countries in the formation of federations where none exist. [3] IMMAF launched with support of market leader, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). [4] [5] [6] The UFC is among promotions sanctioned by federations under the IMMAF umbrella in countries that include Brazil and Sweden. [7] [8] [9] [10]

Contents

IMMAF now is in Switzerland (Roveredo via Toveda n. 3) near the Swiss Mixed Martial Arts Federation, which oversaw the transfer in all administrative aspects. In 2023, IMMAF extended its partnership with Brave Combat Federation to expedite the development of the sport at grassroots levels with financial and operational support. [11]

After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine the IMMAF suspended the memberships of the Russian MMA Union and the Federation of Hand-to-Hand Fighting & MMA of Belarus. It barred the Russian and Belarusian federations from participating in all IMMAF Championships, and banned the organization of IMMAF events in Russia and Belarus. [12]

Amateur vs. professional level athletes

The IMMAF considers an athlete to be on a professional level and thus not eligible for participation if he or she meets any one of the following criteria:

Amateur MMA rules

Compulsory equipment

Unauthorized techniques

The same from the Unified Rules of MMA plus:

Length of the match

Suspension

A contestant who was knocked out as a result of a blow to the head, or whose match was stopped by the judge because of several tough blows to the head which have made him/her defenseless and unable to continue, shall be suspended from competition and sparring matches.

Suspension periods starting from the day of the latest match:

Listed suspension periods are minimum periods and can be extended at the physician's discretion.

In the event that a match was not stopped the physician still has the right to decide on a suspension if he/she deems it necessary due to the contestant having received many tough blows to the head

Members

National Federations: [13]

Pan America

Asia

Europe

Oceania

Africa

Partnership with BRAVE Combat Federation

Ireland vs. Mexico at IMMAF World Championships held in the Kingdom of Bahrain IMMAF World Championships held in the Kingdom of Bahrain.jpg
Ireland vs. Mexico at IMMAF World Championships held in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Since 2017, IMMAF has partnered with Brave Combat Federation [15] to host world championships outside the USA. [16] As a result, Bahrain became the second nation to host IMMAF World Championships in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Subsequently, IMMAF partnered with the organization to host the 2021 IMMAF World Cup and 2022 MMA Super Cup. [17] [18] Further, the organization hosted its first world championship in Europe by partnering with Brave Combat Federation to host IMMAF World Championships Week from February 10–18, 2023 in Belgrade, Serbia. [19] In partnership with Brave Combat Federation, IMMAF has hosted the first ever World Cup in 2021 followed by 2022 MMA Super Cup in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The promotion also absorbs athletes transitioning from amateur to professional MMA, including major names such as Jose Torres, Frans Mlambo, Mohammed Mokaev, Eliezer Kubanza, Nkosi Ndebele, and many more. [20]

Championships

World Championships

Youth World Championships

Junior World Championships

World Cup

Super Cup

European Championships

African Championships

Asian Championships

Oceanian Championships

Pan American Championships

Overall Medals Standing (World Championships)

Totals do not include medals from the 2016 or 2017 World Championships.

RankingCountryGold Med 1.png Silver Med 2.png Bronze Med 3.png
1 Flag of the United States.svg United States of America 617
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 127
3 Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 072
4 Flag of Italy.svg Italy 106
5 Flag of Finland.svg Finland 311
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada 212
7 Flag of Poland.svg Poland 113
8 Flag of Norway.svg Norway 031
9 Flag of France.svg France 013
10 Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa 201
11 Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland 111
12 Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand 003
13 Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark 200
14 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic 101
14 Flag of Germany.svg Germany 101
16 Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Kazakhstan 020
17 Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon 011
17 Flag of Romania.svg Romania 011
17 Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine 011
20 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium 002
21 Flag of Austria.svg Austria 100
21 Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil 100

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References

  1. ↑ "Former British Judo Association president to lead MMA body". 8 July 2015.
  2. ↑ "Kerrith Brown elected as President of IMMAF".
  3. ↑ "ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "UFC backs creation of International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF)". MMAmania.com. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "Dana White Discusses UFC's Support of IMMAF". Fightersource.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  6. ↑ "UFC Supports Creation of International MMA Federation". UFC. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  7. ↑ Ben Szwediuk (17 October 2014). "Swedish Mixed Martial Arts Federation: an exclusive in-depth interview with President Johan Halldin". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "SMMAF explains why Lapilus was denied, Rosa approved for UFC Fight Night 53". MMAjunkie. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "CABMMA official responds to Piotr Hallmann's UFC drug test denials". MMA Fighting. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  10. ↑ "Piotr Hallman Says UFC Brazil Drug Testing was Unprofessional; Commission Responds". Yahoo Sports. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  11. ↑ "BRAVE CF and AIMMAF Partner To Make History". The Daily Tribune. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "IMMAF suspends The Russian MMA Union & Belarusian MMA Federation". IMMAF. 1 March 2022.
  13. ↑ "National Federations". IMMAF. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  14. ↑ "MMA India – National Sports Federation now the only recognised Indian MMA body by IMAAF - MMA INDIA". 15 September 2018.
  15. ↑ Ravindran, Renjith. "MMA Super Cup: Bahrain crowned inaugural champions, wins $100,000". SportsKeeda. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  16. ↑ Amir, Mohammed. "BRAVE CF and IMMAF partner to make history, boost sports development". The Daily Tribune. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  17. ↑ Netherthon, Alexander (13 March 2022). "BRAVE CF 57: MMA SUPER CUP DATES, FIGHT TIMES, HOW TO WATCH ON DAZN". DAZN. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  18. ↑ Ravindran, Renjith. "MMA Super Cup: Bahrain crowned inaugural champions, wins $100,000". SportsKeeda. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  19. ↑ Netherton, Alexander (19 February 2023). "BRAVE CF 69: UNDISPUTED LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION ABDISALAM KUBANYCHBEK CROWNED IN SERBIA". DAZN. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  20. ↑ Xavier, Joao (15 March 2024). "BRAVE CF and IMMAF's groundbreaking collaboration continues to yield benefits for MMA, forging new paths for emerging talents in the sport". Blackbelt Mag. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
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