International Mixed Martial Arts Federation Explained

International Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Abbreviation:(IMMAF)
Purpose:Mixed martial arts sanctioning organization
Headquarters:Grono
Location:Switzerland
Region Served:Worldwide
Membership:123
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:Kerrith Brown[1] [2]

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]

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

Since 2017, IMMAF has partnered with last1=Ravindran |first1=Renjith |title=MMA Super Cup: Bahrain crowned inaugural champions, wins $100,000 |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-mma-super-cup-bahrain-crowned-inaugural-champions |website=SportsKeeda |access-date=29 April 2024}}ave Combat Federation to host world championships outside the USA.[15] 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.[16] [17] 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.[18] 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.[19]

Championships

See main article: List of IMMAF 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 Silver Bronze
1 United States of America617
2 United Kingdom127
3 Sweden072
4 Italy106
5 Finland311
6 Canada212
7 Poland113
8 Norway031
9 France013
10 South Africa201
11 Ireland111
12 New Zealand003
13 Denmark200
14 Czech Republic101
14 Germany101
16 Kazakhstan020
17 Lebanon011
17 Romania011
17 Ukraine011
20 Belgium002
21 Austria100
21 Brazil100

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Former British Judo Association president to lead MMA body. 8 July 2015.
  2. Web site: Kerrith Brown elected as President of IMMAF.
  3. Web site: ESPN. ESPN. 5 January 2015.
  4. Web site: UFC backs creation of International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). MMAmania.com. 12 April 2012. 5 January 2015.
  5. Web site: Dana White Discusses UFC's Support of IMMAF ». Fightersource.com. 5 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150106160352/http://fighterssource.com/dana-white-discusses-ufcs-support-of-immaf-2/. 6 January 2015. dead.
  6. Web site: UFC Supports Creation of International MMA Federation. UFC. 5 January 2015.
  7. Web site: Swedish Mixed Martial Arts Federation: an exclusive in-depth interview with President Johan Halldin. Ben Szwediuk. 17 October 2014. Mirror.co.uk. 5 January 2015.
  8. Web site: SMMAF explains why Lapilus was denied, Rosa approved for UFC Fight Night 53. MMAjunkie. 29 September 2014. 5 January 2015.
  9. Web site: CABMMA official responds to Piotr Hallmann's UFC drug test denials. MMA Fighting. 13 October 2014. 5 January 2015.
  10. Web site: Piotr Hallman Says UFC Brazil Drug Testing was Unprofessional; Commission Responds. 14 October 2014. Yahoo Sports. 5 January 2015.
  11. Web site: BRAVE CF and AIMMAF Partner To Make History . The Daily Tribune . 24 April 2023.
  12. Web site: IMMAF suspends The Russian MMA Union & Belarusian MMA Federation . IMMAF . 1 March 2022 .
  13. Web site: National Federations. IMMAF. 11 March 2021.
  14. Web site: MMA India – National Sports Federation now the only recognised Indian MMA body by IMAAF - MMA INDIA. 15 September 2018 .
  15. Web site: Amir . Mohammed . BRAVE CF and IMMAF partner to make history, boost sports development . The Daily Tribune . 1 May 2023.
  16. Web site: Netherthon . Alexander . BRAVE CF 57: MMA SUPER CUP DATES, FIGHT TIMES, HOW TO WATCH ON DAZN . DAZN . 13 March 2022 . 1 May 2023.
  17. Web site: Ravindran . Renjith . MMA Super Cup: Bahrain crowned inaugural champions, wins $100,000 . SportsKeeda . 1 May 2023.
  18. Web site: Netherton . Alexander . BRAVE CF 69: UNDISPUTED LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION ABDISALAM KUBANYCHBEK CROWNED IN SERBIA . DAZN . 19 February 2023 . 1 May 2023.
  19. Web site: Xavier . Joao . BRAVE CF and IMMAF's groundbreaking collaboration continues to yield benefits for MMA, forging new paths for emerging talents in the sport . Blackbelt Mag . 15 March 2024 . 29 April 2024.

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