International Mixed Martial Arts Federation

International Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Abbreviation	(IMMAF)
Formation	29 February 2012; 12 years ago
Type	Sports federation
Purpose	Mixed martial arts sanctioning organization
Headquarters	Grono
Location	Switzerland;
Region served	Worldwide
Membership	123
President	Kerrith Brown
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]

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:

holds a Pro MMA or professional combat sports license issued by any sanctioning body
is under contract with a professional MMA or professional combat sport promotion
has received a fee for participating in an MMA or professional combat sports match
has participated in a professional MMA match under the Unified Rules of MMA or equivalent in the country where the bout took place
has competed against an opponent with a Pro MMA record at the time the bout took place
has a professional MMA fight record published anywhere
National amateur criteria do not hold for IMMAF international competition if it does not conform to the above stipulations

Amateur MMA rules

Compulsory equipment

Competition gloves
Competition shin guards
Competition shorts made in a durable material and designed in such a way that they can't inflict injury on either one of the contestants
Mouthpiece
Competition top or rashguard (women only)
Protective groin cup (optional for women, compulsory for men)
Protective chest gear (optional for women, not applicable for men)
Knee protection (optional)
Ankle protection (optional)

Unauthorized techniques

The same from the Unified Rules of MMA plus:

Elbow and forearm strikes of any kind
Heel hook
Twisters/Sit through crucifix and/or any submission deemed as applying pressure to the spine
Knees to the head at any point
U18 competitions only: Any attacks (kicks, punches, elbows, knees, et. al.) to the head at any point.

Length of the match

A match shall contain three rounds.
A round shall last three minutes.
The round break shall last sixty seconds

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:

One knockout: Minimum four weeks suspension
Two knockouts during a period of three months: Minimum three months suspension.
Three knockouts during a period of twelve months: Minimum twelve months suspension.

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

Argentina - Argentine Association of Mixed Martial Arts and Contact Sports
Aruba - Millard Academy
Bahamas - Empire Mixed Martial Arts Bahamas
Barbados - Barbados Mixed Martial Arts Federation (BMMAF)
Belize - MMA Federation of Belize
Bolivia - MMA Federation of Belize
Brazil - Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission / Comissão Atlética Brasileira de MMA (CABMMA)
Canada - Canadian Combat Alliance
Cayman Islands - Under Review
Colombia - Asociación Colombiana de Artes Marciales Mixtas (OCAMM)
Costa Rica - Federacion de Artes Marciales Mixtas
Dominican Republic - Federation Dominicana de Artes Marciale Mixtas
Ecuador - Ecuador Mixed Martial Arts Federation (EMMAF)
El Salvador - Federacion Salvadoreña de Kickboxing & MMA / Salvadorean Kickboxing & MMA Federation (presiding over Commission Salvadoreña de Artes Marciales Mixtas / Salvadorean Mixed Martial Arts Commission)
Grenada - Grenada mixed martial arts federation
Guatemala - Asociación Guatemalteca de Artes Marciales Mixtas
Guyana - Guyana Mixed Martials Federation
Jamaica - MMA Jamaica Sports Federation
Mexico - Federacion de Artes Marciales Mixtas Equidad y Juego Limpio
Panama - Asociación Nacional de mixed martial arts
Paraguay - Federacion Paraguaya de Kick Boxing Muay Thai & MMA
Puerto Rico - Federacion Independiente de Artes Marciales Mixtas de Puerto Rico (FIAMMPR)
Saint Martin - Sint Maarten Martial Arts
St Lucia - St Lucia Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Trinidad and Tobago - Trinidad and Tobago Mixed Martial Arts Federation (TNT MMAF)
Uruguay - Asociacion Uruguaya de Artes Marciales Mixtas Amateur y Profesional – AUAMMAP
United States of America - USA Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Venezuela - Federación Venezolana de Artes Marciales Mixtas (FEVAMM) National

Asia

Afghanistan - Afghanistan MMA Federation (AMMAF)
Bahrain - Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation
China - MMA Department Of Chinese Boxing Federation
Hong Kong - Hong Kong MMA Federation Ltd
India - MMA India^[14]
Indonesia - Indonesia Committee for Martial Art Sports / Komite Olahraga Beladiri Indonesia – KOBI
Iran - Iranian MMA Federation (IRMMAF)
Iraq - Iraqi Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IQMMAF)
Japan - Japan MMA Federation JMMAF
Jordan - Jordan Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Kazakhstan - Kazakh National Public Union of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Federation
Kuwait - MMA Kuwait Association
Kyrgyzstan - Republic Of Kyrgyzstan Federation Of MMA And Pankration
Lebanon - Lebanese MMA Federation
Malaysia - Malaysia Mixed Martial Arts Association (MASMMAA)
Mongolia - Mongolian Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Nepal - Nepal National Martial Art Games Confederation
Pakistan - Mixed Martial Arts Pakistan (PAKMMA)
Philippines - Philippines Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Saudi Arabia - Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Singapore - Under Review
South Korea - Under Review
Sri Lanka - Mixed Martial Arts Federation Sri Lanka
Taiwan - Chinese Taipei Mixed Martial Arts Association
Tajikistan - Federation Of Mixed Martial Arts Of The Republic Of Tajikistan
Thailand - Thai Mixed Martial Arts Federation (TMMAF)
United Arab Emirates - UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Uzbekistan - Uzbekistan MMA Association
Vietnam - Vietnam MMA Federation

Europe

Albania - Albanian Free Fighting Federation
Armenia - MMA Federation of Armenia
Austria - Austrian Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Belgium - Belgian Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Bulgaria - Bulgarian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (BULMMAF)
Croatia - Croatian Mixed Martial Arts Union (HMMAU)
Cyprus - Cyprus Mixed Martial Arts Federation (CMMAF)
Czech Republic - Czech Association of MMA
Denmark - Danish Mixed Martial Arts Federation
England - England Mixed Martial Arts Association
Estonia - Estonian Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Finland - Finnish Mixed Martial Arts Federation / Suomen Vapaaotteluliitto ry
France - French Mixée Martial arts Federation (FFMMA)
Georgia - National Federation of Universal Martial Arts
Germany - German Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GEMMAF)
Greece - Panhellenic MMA Federation
Hungary - Hungarian MMA Federation (HMMAF)
Iceland - Iceland MMA Federation
Ireland - Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association (IMMAA)
Israel- ISR Mixed Martial Arts
Italy - Federazione Italiana Grappling Mixed Martial Arts / Italian Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts Federation (FIGMMA)
Kosovo - Kosovo Miksed Martial Arts Federation / Federation Federata Arteve Mikse Marciale
Latvia - Under Review
Lithuania - Lithuanian Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Luxembourg - Fédération Luxembourgeoise de MMA (FLMMA)
Malta - Malta Mixed Martial Arts Association
Moldova - Moldovan MMA Federation
Netherlands - MMA Union Netherlands
Northern Ireland - Ulster Amateur MMA
Norway - Norwegian Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Poland - Stowarzyszenie MMA Polska
Portugal - Federação Portugusea de Lutas Amadoras (FPLA) / Comissão Atlética Portuguesa de MMA (CAPMMA)
Romania - Romanian Kempo Mixed Martial Arts Federation (RKMMAF)
Russia - Russian MMA Union (suspended)
Scotland - Mixed Martial Arts Federation Of Scotland
Serbia - Serbian MMA Federation
Slovakia - Slovakian MMA Association
Slovenia - Slovenia MMA Federation
Spain - Federación Española de Lucha Olímpica y Disciplinas Asociadas (FELUCHA-IMMAF)
Sweden - Swedish Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Switzerland - Federation Switzerland Mixed Martial Arts
Turkey - Turkey Combat Mixed Martial Arts Sport Association
Ukraine - MMA League of Ukraine
Wales - Mixed Martial Arts Cymru

Oceania

Australia - International Mixed Martial Arts Federation of Australia
French Polynesia - Wrestling Polynesian Federation & Associated Disciplines
New Zealand - New Zealand Mixed Martial Arts Federation

Africa

Algeria - Algerian Federation of Kickboxing, MMA & Similar Sports
Angola - Associação Provincial de MMA de Luanda
Cameroon - National League Mixed Martial Arts Cameroon (NLMMAC)
Cote D Ivoire - Federation Ivoirienne D Arts Martiaux Mixtes
Democratic Republic of Congo - Democratic Republic of Congo MMA Federation (DRCMMAF)
Egypt - The Egyptian MMA Committee
Ghana - Ghana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GHAMMAF)
Guinea - Guinean Federation of Krav-Maga and Associated Disciplines (MMA)
Mauritius - Mixed Martial Arts Federation Mauritius
Morocco - Fédération Royale Marocaine Du Sport de Combat Libre Et Mixte (FRMSCLM)
Namibia - Namibian MMA Federation
Nigeria - Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Senegal - MMA Senegal
The Seychelles - The Seychelles Mixed Martial Arts Association
South Africa - Mixed Martial Arts South Africa (MMASA)
Tunisia - Tunisian Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Zambia - Mixed Martial Arts Zambia
Zimbabwe - Mixed Martial Arts Association (ZMMMA)

Partnership with BRAVE Combat Federation

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

2014 IMMAF World Championships
2015 IMMAF World Championships
2016 IMMAF World Championships
2017 IMMAF World Championships
2018 IMMAF World Championships
2019 IMMAF World Championships
2021 IMMAF World Championships
2022 IMMAF World Championships
2023 IMMAF World Championships

Youth World Championships

2019 IMMAF Youth World Championships
2021 IMMAF Youth World Championships
2022 IMMAF Youth World Championships
2023 IMMAF Yonth World Championships

Junior World Championships

2019 IMMAF Junior World Championships
2020 IMMAF Junior World Championships
2021 IMMAF Junior World Championships
2022 IMMAF Junior World Championships
2023 IMMAF Junior World Championships

World Cup

2021 IMMAF World Cup

Super Cup

2022 MMA Super Cup

European Championships

2015 IMMAF European Open Championship
2016 IMMAF European Open Championships
2017 IMMAF European Open Championships
2018 IMMAF European Open Championships
2019 IMMAF European Open Championships
2021 IMMAF European Open Championships
2022 IMMAF European Open Championships
2023 IMMAF European Open Championships

African Championships

2016 IMMAF Africa Open Championships
2017 IMMAF Africa Open Championships
2018 IMMAF Africa Open Championships
2019 IMMAF Africa Open Championships
2022 IMMAF Africa Open Championships
2023 IMMAF Africa Open Championships

Asian Championships

2017 IMMAF Asian Open Championships
2019 IMMAF Asian Open Championships
2022 IMMAF Asian Open Championships
2023 IMMAF Asian Open Championships

Oceanian Championships

2018 IMMAF Oceania Open Championships
2019 IMMAF Oceania Open Championships
2020 IMMAF Oceania Open Championships

Pan American Championships

2019 Pan American Open Championships
2022 Pan American Open Championships
2023 Pan American Open Championships

Overall Medals Standing (World Championships)

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

Ranking	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze
1	United States of America	6	1	7
2	United Kingdom	1	2	7
3	Sweden	0	7	2
4	Italy	1	0	6
5	Finland	3	1	1
6	Canada	2	1	2
7	Poland	1	1	3
8	Norway	0	3	1
9	France	0	1	3
10	South Africa	2	0	1
11	Ireland	1	1	1
12	New Zealand	0	0	3
13	Denmark	2	0	0
14	Czech Republic	1	0	1
14	Germany	1	0	1
16	Kazakhstan	0	2	0
17	Lebanon	0	1	1
17	Romania	0	1	1
17	Ukraine	0	1	1
20	Belgium	0	0	2
21	Austria	1	0	0
21	Brazil	1	0	0

References

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

External links

Official website

[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.

[3]