The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) continues its international expansion and has now added Canada. The IMMAF will be partnering with the organization ‘Mixed Martial Arts – Canada’ (MMAC). The IMMAF will assist the MMAC in its amateur MMA development along with training officials, such as judges and referees, and unify rules nationally.
In a press release, the IMMAF offered more details. See below for further details regarding this agreement.
“‘MIXED MARTIAL ARTS – CANADA’ AFFILIATES WITH IMMAF
[London. 6 July 2022] On 22 June, the organisation, “Mixed Martial Arts – Canada” (MMAC), was approved by the IMMAF Board of Directors as the affiliated Canadian body under the international IMMAF banner.
By mutual agreement, the Canadian affiliate of IMMAF will govern MMA as a respective sport discipline of WAKO Canada with its own independent organizing committee. Using IMMAF resources, Mixed Martial Arts – Canada (MMAC) will establish rules and regulations, train officials and create a competition schedule for amateur MMA in Canada, establishing a pathway for national amateur talent to represent the country and medal at the elite IMMAF level.
WAKO Canada has already published the following appointments to its MMA Committee, which will be responsible for the roll-out of officials’ courses, coaching courses and sanctioned tournaments and club shows under IMMAF rules and regulations:
- Nikos Apostolopoulos
- Lance Gibson
- Nick Castiglia
- Joey De Los Reyes
- John Stanley
- Pat Chapman
- John Cole
- Amanda Dominchetti
- Dr. Faisal Rehman
The committee will continue to recruit additional members with specific skills and national/regional presence.
WAKO Canada President, Muzammal Nawaz, said:
“Sport has the potential to unite. This is the philosophy I have always lived by. A wonderful example of this is the work between WAKO and IMMAF. At the international level the two federations have agreed to support each other for the ultimate benefit of the athlete. It has been a wonderful experience working with the management of IMMAF to begin the creation of an amateur MMA federation in Canada. Even though our sports are different we have the same level of commitment to safe sport, organisational transparency and athlete/coach development. I’m excited to support IMMAF Canada as they create a grassroots structure to bring together the many clubs, coaches and athletes in Canada involved in the exciting sport of amateur MMA.”
IMMAF President, Kerrith Brown said:
“I have every confidence in this development for MMA in Canada, which puts the management of amateur MMA into capable and experienced hands. That the new federation has already embarked on its national selections and is promising to send a substantial team to upcoming IMMAF events is a positive indicator, and I fully expect to see an acceleration in the progress of the sport in Canada.”
About IMMAF:
Founded in 2012, the purpose of IMMAF is to further the development, recognition and regulation of the sport of MMA (mixed martial arts), enabling amateur competition through the organisation of national MMA federations around the world. With a seven-year track record of organising international amateur Championships and developing the sport globally, IMMAF’s membership today includes 117 National Federations worldwide with National Olympic Committee recognition in 49 countries. IMMAF has advanced programmes for education and certification of MMA coaches, referees and other technical officials, as well as Youth Development. Supported by the UFC®, IMMAF is the only legitimate international governing body for MMA, working to gain sport recognition and see MMA into the Olympic Games.”
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