The main organization of amateur MMA continues to grow. The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is now making more moves and gaining recognition in Africa, now adding Zimbabwe. IMMAF has done a great job in being the leader in security and creating a thriving amateur MMA scene in Europe, and they continue to grow. Same UFC fighter Conor McGregor worked with the Irish IMMAF team earlier this year. In a press release, IMMAF gave details of what this expansion is and what it means.

IMMAF press release:

ZIMBABWEAN MMA FEDERATION EXPANDS IMMAF’S FOOTPRINT IN AFRICA

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is pleased to announce that Zimbabwe is the latest African country to join IMMAF through the Zimbabwe Mixed Martial Arts Association (ZMMAA).

ZMMAA, led by the organization’s president Felix Munyaradzi Matsitsiro, now joins a thriving network of skilled and dedicated people in Africa. The objectives of the ZMMAA are to develop and ensure the regulation of MMA in Zimbabwe, to enhance the overall development of MMA, to ensure the protection of the members and to introduce an engaging promotion of the sport in accordance with the values ​​of the ‘IMMAF.

In particular, ZMMAA emphasizes youth development and the acquisition of young members with a vision to spread respect through the sport of MMA among the youth of Zimbabwe.

To date, foundations have been established by ZMMAA through its fundraising efforts, through social events, collaborations with music festivals, sponsorship donations and annual memberships. Plans are in place for the national championships and the participation of the Zimbabwe team in the IMMAF international championships, with the training and official certification of coaches being the priority objectives of the organization.

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said:

“It’s fantastic to see the sport of MMA continue to grow and develop locally across Africa. The recognition of the Zimbabwe MMA Federation as a member brings the number of IMMAF nations on the continent to nineteen. We look forward to welcoming Zimbabwean delegates and talent to IMMAF events in 2022 and witnessing Zimbabwe’s rising stars.

MMA is an extremely international sport that has been a powerhouse in North and South America, Asia, Australia and Europe, but has yet to leave a huge legacy on the African continent. With great UFC fighters from Nigeria and Cameroon as well as IMMAF news on Zimbabwe, the sport will continue to grow in Africa and internationally.

For more information on IMMAF’s objectives, security procedures and regulations, they add:

About IMMAF:

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) provides the platform for the next generation of MMA athletes and rising stars. Founded in 2012, the IMMAF aims to promote the development, recognition and regulation of MMA (mixed martial arts) sport, enabling amateur competition through the organization of national MMA federations around the world. With seven years of experience in organizing international amateur championships and ten years of developing sport on a global scale, IMMAF today has 120 national federations around the world, 49 of which are recognized by their National Olympic Committee. or their national sports authority. IMMAF has advanced programs for the training and certification of MMA coaches, referees and other technical officials, and for youth development. Backed by the UFC®, IMMAF is the only legitimate international governing body for MMA, working to gain recognition for the sport and see MMA in the Olympic Games.

The main objectives of IMMAF are to ensure the safety of MMA enthusiasts all over the world. And this organization is also the leader in trying to bring the sport of MMA into the Olympics. Recently, IMMAF published: “Is Mixed Martial Arts Really a Dangerous Sport? in which they discuss the safety of serious injury in MMA compared to other sports.

Images attached: MMA training at UK Academy in Harare, Zimbabwe

Featured Image Courtesy IMMAF