UFC Supports International MMA Federation With Olympic Aspirations

The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Thursday officially threw its support behind the creation of the new International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF).

The UFC statement said the promotion “wholeheartedly supports this new initiative as well as its leader, IMMAF President August Wallén, who will spearhead the initial growth of this Federation.”

Wallén is a mixed martial arts trainer, who also holds a 6-1 professional record in the sport, as well as a 4-1 amateur record.

IMMAF, through the organization of national mixed martial arts federations, hopes to enable the possibility of international amateur competitions with a common set of rules and regulations, furthering the growth and development of the sport on a worldwide level.

One of IMMAF’s primary goals is to help MMA become and Olympic sport.

“In order to maintain the successful growth of our sport, it is important to invest in resources that will develop and cultivate it at an amateur level,” said UFC chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta. “Having an umbrella organization that will oversee and help build the sport on a global level will not only provide advanced and ever-improving safety standards, but will also create a unified global model to help introduce the sport to new markets. It is our hope that it will also take us one step closer to witnessing the inclusion of the sport of MMA on the Olympic programme.”

“The creation of this organization is long overdue,” said Marc Ratner, UFC Senior Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs. “MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and we support the Federation’s focus on providing a globally unified set of rules and safety measures to help keep all fighters safe. While there are many obstacles ahead in the formation of this international organization, we are confident of the outcomes and advancements this group will make for the future of our sport.”

The UFC has long been committed to the growth and development of the sport of MMA, consistently pushing its brand across the globe. The UFC broadcasts in over 150 countries and territories, to nearly one billion homes worldwide, in 20 different languages, with more than 30 live events annually worldwide.

To learn more about the International MMA Federation visit www.immaf.org.

For more UFC News and UFC Rumors, follow MMAWeekly.com on Twitter and Facebook.