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What role does the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation play in amateur MMA?
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Two fighters competing in a mixed martial arts contest.
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) serves as the global governing body for amateur mixed martial arts, a role it has held since its founding in Sweden in 2012.12
The organization focuses on the development of the sport through several key initiatives:
- Global Governance: It acts as an umbrella organization for more than 40 national MMA federations.12
- Competition: The IMMAF annually sponsors the World Championships of Amateur MMA.12
- Ranking: It maintains an official world-ranking list for amateur competitors.12
- Olympic Ambition: A primary goal of the IMMAF is to secure the inclusion of mixed martial arts in the Olympic Games.1
By providing this structure, the IMMAF distinguishes itself from professional promoters like the UFC, focusing instead on the grassroots growth and standardization of the sport at the amateur level.12