NATO underlined the FFB’s full commitment to making mixed martial arts a credible and respected sport in France, which would put the well-being of athletes at the forefront and be of interest to both recreational practitioners and serious competitors.

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown, Managing Director Densign White and Board Member Bertrand Amoussou were joined in their conference with NATO by members of the task force creating the French Martial Arts Federation ( FMMAF), which was created by the executive committee of the FFB.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) was banned in France in 2016, with the French sports ministry banning the use of an octagonal cage and many key techniques involved.

The government warned at the time that the sport would only be legal once taken over by an existing French sports federation.

In September 2019, the current French Minister of Sports, Roxana Maracineanu, decided to go ahead with measures to legalize the sport.

Six federations had applied to supervise MMA in France and in February Maracineanu announced that the responsibility had been given to the FFB to supervise its return, initially until the end of last year, after which a decision would be made on the opportunity to create an autonomous national MMA. Board of Directors.

The first official gala organized in France took place in Vitry-en-Seine in October 2020.

From now on, the FMMAF is responsible for ensuring the representation, management and coordination of MMA activities in France in accordance with ministerial guidelines and FFB regulations.

NATO discussed progress in putting in place the necessary structures for the FMMAF – a process that has been hampered by the COVID-19 crisis – and announced that a General Assembly, including the election of an executive committee of the FMMAF, was scheduled for September.

Another key discussion concerned plans for a French competition system – based on regional, then national qualifications – that would allow French teams to be selected for IMMAF championships.

Nato, amateur and professional French champion, national trainer and national boxing technical director, wants a system in France which is rigorous and which will select competitors with proven talent and form and who will compete for medals.

In conclusion, he affirmed his commitment to work hand in hand with the IMMAF to ensure the achievement of the mission entrusted to the FFB by the French Ministry of Sports last year.

Brown said: “We were very impressed with the energy and drive of Dominique Nato and his determination to show that the FFB was chosen by the ministry for a reason – because they have all the skills, structures and ideas to take MMA in France to the next level of growth.

“The IMMAF will work closely with the FMMAF working group to develop our sport in France and we look forward to welcoming French coaches, officials and athletes to our major events, hopefully by the end of 2021. “