The year 2022 promises to be historic for the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). For two reasons. The body in charge of amateur MMA will celebrate its 10th anniversary in February. And it hopes to finally obtain, after several years of intense lobbying, its recognition by GAISF. Founded in February 2012 by the Swede August Wallen, IMMAF now has 120 national federations worldwide, almost half of which (49) are recognised by their national Olympic committee or national sports authority. In 2018, IMMAF merged with MMA’s rival body, the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA). The two institutions held the first unified world championships in the same year. To date, IMMAF and WMMAA have staged a total of 47 championships in 31 cities on 5 continents. IMMAF closed the year 2021 by obtaining WADA Code Signatory status, after 6 years of code compliance. Once this stage is over, it is knocking again on the door of GAISF, the parent organisation of international sports federations. The ambition is to obtain official recognition from the IOC one day soon.
