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All thanks to the efforts taken by AIMMAA (All India Mixed Martial Arts Association) that for the very first time India is represented at the 2015 IMMAF(International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) World Championships of Amateur MMA as part of the UFC International Fight Week held at Las Vegas from 6th to 11th July, 2015.
AIMMA and IMMAF’s affiliation was the starting point of this journey.
In its official statement, AIMMAA said that it is honoured to represent IMMAF in India as it not only provides a better and larger platform for fighters but also supports its motive of promoting the sport. The association believes that this new partnership will benefit the entire Indian MMA community.
To which IMMAF Secretary General, Erika Mattsson replied, “It is fantastic to at last be able welcome India to the IMMAF. From no other country have we had more applications over the course of the last 2, 5 years and interest in MMA is tremendous. It has been a long road for us to learn about MMA in India and assess how the IMMAF best supports the Indian MMA community, and we are now content that we have found a stable federation that will include all interested parties in the MMA community in its growing family. With its strong track record, increasing membership, extended network and well-developed divisions, AIMMAA is a mature organisation with much to bring to the international IMMAF community. We very much look forward to working with AIMMAA to develop Mixed Martial Arts regulation in India”.
Eventually, Dana White (UFC President) extended his support by welcoming IMMAF to compete in the 2015 IMMAF World Championships of Amateur MMA at UFC International Fight Week.
The tryouts for AIMMAA Team India had started on 19th December 2014 at Bangalore in India by AIMMA. States represented were Meghalaya, Mizoram, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Around four fighters from Karnataka were selected.
Team India takes it’s shot with the constant encouragement and support of the AIMMA National Commissioner and Pioneer of MMA in India Daniel Isaac and Team India coach Alan Fenandes.
For Day 1, two Indian fighters are lined up viz. Kaushik Boloor (Team India) Vs Joeshwa Mortada (Team Lebanon) and Navi Ravishankar (Team India) s Alexander Litvinov (Team Czech Republic).
Yet this is just the beginning. 5 more action packed days to go.
(Source: IMMAF)
