The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) has revealed its plans to bring the sport into the Olympic spotlight, through the formation of a new global governing body for the sport’s amateur ranks, the Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts (FIMMA).
This new body will push to see the sport included at the games, with the aim of building on the work AMMA has already done to have MMA included at the regional Asian Games for the first time in 2026.
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That pathway that led to inclusion in the Asian Games is the roadmap FIMMA is aiming to follow for its Olympic aims.
AMMA says that FIMMA, which will meet for the first time on December 1 in Athens, Greece, will look to organize regional, continental, and global competitions to help develop the sport, and bring more athletes from amateur to professional ranks, as well as push for its inclusion in more existing multi-sport games.
Gordon Tang, the president of AMMA who has overseen the sport’s inclusion in the 2026 Asian Games, commented: “FIMMA is a response to the numerous calls we have received from athletes and from national federations. Calls for an international federation that unites the sport under cohesive global governance. An international federation that drives progress through an ambitious athlete-centred strategy. And an international federation that delivers long-term sustainable global growth.
“FIMMA will stand as a unifying force. We are ready to collaborate with any and all organisations that share our commitment to protecting and promoting the global interests of MMA and its athletes, and with organisations that share our vision for MMA to take its place at the Olympic Games. Amateur MMA for too long has been divided. It's time to unite our sport and bring it out of the shadow of its professional counterpart. It is time to unlock the enormous global potential we all know exists. I am ready to apply all my experience in MMA, sport, and business at the service of this vision.”
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By GlobalDataThe success of prominent professional promotions such as UFC and PFL means that MMA would doubtlessly be a popular viewing product among certain demographics if elevated to Olympic level.
However, questions remain over whether it is possible to translate the spectacle of the sport to a shortened Olympic-style tournament, which would necessitate multiple bouts in a short period of time without the typical amount of rest that top professionals would receive, which may make the prospect more dangerous for the fighters.
For its part, AMMA says that FIMMA will “prioritize athlete welfare” by banning dangerous moves such as strikes to the head while the opponent is grounded, something it says will make bouts “more technical”, as well as limiting the number of bouts participants can compete in each day, and introducing medical and technical committee reviews during fights, a ruleset already utilized by AMMA.
Bouts will also be conducted in a traditional ring, rather than the cage that has become the norm for promotions the world over.
“We’re creating world-class competition platforms, focused on safety, and streamlined events that bring the best athletes together under one organisation,” added AMMA director general Galastein Tan.
“As a unifying force in MMA, we are ready to collaborate with all organisations, including the UFC, ONE Championship, and those that share our commitment to protecting and promoting the interests of MMA and its athletes.
“Together, we will take amateur MMA from continental success to a global stage and prepare it for the Olympic spotlight.”
Further questions remain as to how FIMMA will move forward, given the existence of other international amateur MMA bodies already, and whether or not the sport can avoid a punishing executive-level split in the same manner that boxing has endured in recent years, one that has threatened even that historic sport's Olympic status.
