The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation [IMMAF] has joined with stakeholders across MMA to launch a public petition that demands formal recognition of the sport by the Olympic Movement and governments around the world.

Formal recognition of MMA as a sport would enable the implementation of governance and regulations to ensure health and safety for recreational participants, as well as amateur and professional athletes.

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown says the lack of transparency around how sports are recognised at an international level not only affects MMA but has far-reaching impact across various sports communities worldwide, outcasting participants and exposing them to unnecessary risk.

"This includes children and impacts our ability to foster the development of the next generation in a safe and well governed environment.

"The power of the International Sport Federations movement cannot be underestimated, as their judgements are frequently deferred to by governments worldwide in their decision making about sport and significant tax-payer funding of sport.

"We call on the International Olympic Committee and sports ministers to review and ensure fair process in the international recognition and governance of sport, to protect the rights of citizens globally to safe and equitable access to the sport of their choice.”

Formal recognition would also help foster youth development in MMA, and afford same rights and protections for MMA athletes as students of other sports, such as access to medical services, insurance, anti-doping, safeguarding, etc.

In addition, formal recognition of MMA as a sport by the Olympic Movement would pave the way for MMA to become an Olympic sport and allow MMA athletes to represent their country on the world’s most prestigious sporting platform, says a statement on the IMMAF website.

IMMAF has applied multiple times to gain recognition for MMA from the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) since 2016, but despite satisfying all known criteria has been denied acceptance so far for political reasons. Influential leaders from other Olympic sports have been outspoken against MMA and have actively lobbied against it.

The ‘MMA Is A Sport’ campaign calls upon all stakeholders, participants and fans of MMA to join as one in urging the International Olympic Committee and Sports Ministers worldwide to address the MMA’s application for sport recognition.

RECOGNITION MEANS…

1.   •  Recognition as a sport gives MMA athletes and students the same rights and protection as athletes and students of other sports (e.g. access to medical services, accident and injuries insurance, safeguarding of U18s and vulnerable adults, Anti-doping services, youth development, etc.)

2.   •  Recognition means good governance and regulations to ensure athletes health and safety, standardisation of competition rules and regulations, officiating and coaching standards.

3.   •  Recognition enables safe and effective youth development.

4.   •  Recognition would give MMA a pathway to eventually becoming an Olympic sport and the best amateur MMA athletes the opportunity to represent their country at the Olympic Games

5.   •  International recognition would enable recognition on a national level in many countries which will have a positive impact many communities

6.   •  Recognition means funding of the sport and its elite amateur athletes at a national level

FACTS ABOUT MMA

1.   •  MMA competitors are highly skilled athletes

2.   •  MMA has 600 million fans around the world

3.   •  Different unified rules exist for amateur and professional competitions

4.   •  IMMAF is the International governing body for amateur MMA

5.   •  There are 100+ IMMAF affiliated National Federations across the world developing the sport of MMA, with only 40 being recognized by their Sports Ministries or National Olympic Committees

6.   •  IMMAF has held annual World Championships since [2014]

7.   •  In 2019 IMMAF held world and continental championships for youth, juniors and seniors with over 2130 participants from 60 countries

8.   •  Youth MMA is already thriving – IMMAF’s first Youth World Championships for 12 to 17-year-olds attracted more than 600 participants in 2019

9.   •  It is misconception that MMA is less safe than other contact sports: Well regulated MMA has more stringent safety policies than most comparable sports.

10.   •  Amateur athletes and many professionals are subject to WADA compliant anti-doping policies

SIGN PETITION: https://www.change.org/mmaisasport