The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation invites its top 8 ranked national teams to enter athletes for the 2021 IMMAF World Championships, when priority online registration opens on Monday 28 November.
Hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation, with backing from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and in partnership with Palms Sports, IMMAF’s annual flagship tournament is to take place at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Zayed Sports City, near UFC Fight Island (Yas Island). IMMAF’s Worlds in 2019 attracted around 450 athletes from 49 nations, before COVID-19 put a stop to competition in 2020, making this IMMAF’s first Worlds in two years. Returning medallists and new rising stars made their mark this year at the European Championships and World Cup Prague, establishing compelling rivalries expected to play out at a highly competitive World Championships, which will be broadcast globally.
To enable equitable, international representation, IMMAF is operating a more phased registration process this year, as outlined below.
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said:
“IMMAF’s World Championships typically allows priority registration for the top 32 ranked nations, their being 32 spaces in the tournament brackets. This to set elite performance as the bar for entry to our premier event. However, with the pandemic shutting down competition in 2019 and 2020 there are continents that have not seen competitive opportunities in two years, and those for whom travel has remained restricted. The registration system in place this year aims to both acknowledge the achievements of the nations that excelled in Europe in 2021, whilst not excluding burgeoning talent from other regions, to ensure that the event is a true and representative World Championships.”
With IMMAF continental tournaments now closed to athletes from outside the host continent, the World Championships will be IMMAF’s sole premier tier event open to seniors and juniors from all around the world in 2022.
About Registration
This Senior and Junior World Championships is open to all IMMAF Member Federations. There is a limit of 32 participants for each weight category and each federation can enter a maximum of 2 entries per weight category, subject to the following criteria.
Following online registration, all registered athletes must be medically precleared and vetted regarding their pro/ am eligibility by IMMAF to confirm their place. Competitor entry is finalised following pre -bout weigh-ins and medical examinations onsite at the event prior to submission into the tournament draw.
/ENDS
About IMMAF:
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) provides the platform for MMA’s next generation of athletes and rising stars. Founded in 2012, IMMAF’s purpose 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 ten years developing the sport globally, IMMAF's membership today includes 120 National Federations worldwide, of which 49 are recognised by their National Olympic Committee or National Sports Authority. IMMAF has advanced programmes for the education and certification of MMA coaches, referees and other technical officials, and for 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.
