Africa Gearing Up for a New Era in MMA.

Following on the huge success of African MMA athletes across the world – Israel Adesnya, Kamaru Usman, Manel Kape, Dalcha Lungiumbula, Don Madge and Bokang Masunyane to name but a few – IMMAF recently announced the formation of their African Committee aimed at helping the Federation deliver on its goals at both a regional level and national level.

Being the first of a proposed global network of representative bodies, the aim is to leverage off of the local resources to achieve the needs and priorities of MMA in Africa. Having some 13 African MMA Associations affiliated to IMMAF, this is surely a step in the right direction.

His announcement could not have come at a better time for MMASA and in particular IMMAF Africa Director Raymond Phillips, as anyone who has followed our thoughts and views over the last few years would know that as the fore-runner of MMA in Africa, MMASA has been a shambles to say the very least, however, following on the successful hosting of the various Provincial Trials over the past weekend and the prospect of the upcoming Coach Certification Course to be held in Johannesburg at the end of February and the SA Amateur MMA Championships scheduled for mid-March, things seems to have turned a rather sharp corner.

Africa as an MMA talent pool is undeniable and the fact that South Africa – once ranked second on the IMMAF World Rankings – have slipped to 9^thand are the only African nation in the Top 10 should start changing if this new Regional Committee can deliver on their mandate of;

• Promoting Amateur MMA in Africa.
• Support National efforts to gain recognition of Sport Ministries and National Olympic Committees.
• Organise African events and competitions.
• To provide an ethical framework of good governance and counter any methods and practices that go against IMMAf standards and guidelines.

As always will will sit in our corner, sans bucket and mop, and watch as these new developments begin to take shape.