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IMMAF OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES 2016 IMMAF EUROPEAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Mike Johnson on 8/15/2016 9:33 AM

IMMAF OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES 

2016 IMMAF EUROPEAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
 

· ARENA OF SPARTA, PRAGUE – CZECH REPUBLIC

· 22 – 26 NOVEMBER 2016

 

(London. 15 August 2016) The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and Czech Mixed Martial Arts Association (MMAA) are pleased to officially announce the 2016 IMMAF European Open Championships, taking place from 22 to 26 November in Czech Republic, at the Arena of Sparta in Prague.


The Czech Mixed Martial Arts Association (MMAA) was established in 2012. It is formally recognized by the Czech government under the country’s second largest sports authority, the Alliance of Czech Sports Association, and works with the Czech Anti-doping Committee. The association also has a partnership with FTVS Charles University, for whom it provides combat education and training consultancy under the Czech University Sports Association. The collaboration has seen the development of a university masters degree in MMA coaching, which sits at the pinnacle of MMAA’s MMA education system.

 

The 2016 IMMAF European Open Championships is open to Amateur MMA competitors from all member countries via their national IMMAF affiliated federation. Each federation can enter a maximum of 2 entries per weight category, with an imposed limit of 32 participants for each weight category. Weight categories run from Flyweight (125lbs/ 56.7kgs) to Super Heavyweight (+265 lbs /+120.2kgs) for men; and Strawweight (115lbs /52.1kgs) to Lightweight: (155 lbs /70.3 kg) for women. The competition will be conducted in accordance with the IMMAF Amateur MMA Rules (3×3 mins).

 

In addition to partnering with the Czech Mixed Martial Arts Association as host to the 2016 European Open, the IMMAF is working with the association to develop exciting new educational opportunities for participants of MMA.

IMMAF President, Kerrith Brown, said:

 

"The 2016 IMMAF World Championships in Las Vegas set a new benchmark in terms of participation, with 210 athletes competing. We have a very active European membership and expect the 2016 European Open Championships to match, if not surpass, the Worlds in numbers. As our second European Championship, we have the added excitement of watching 2015 medallists defend their titles.

 

"Over the course of the 2016 Olympics there has been some discussion in the media about what structure MMA would hypothetically take in future Olympics: IMMAF has year on year proven its nation vs nation, Amateur MMA tournament format to be a success and to provide a compelling narrative over multiple days of competition. Under IMMAF rules, with anti-doping and all medical process in place, the tournaments are safe for athletes. Further to that the tournaments provide a practice ground for tomorrow's professional stars: With athletes choosing to remain longer in the Amateur ranks to hone their skills, the level rises at each event. This not only lends to make IMMAF Amateur tournaments exciting spectator events, but also bodes well for the professional ranks in future years. The 2016 European Open Championships will demonstrate once again just how intense and how entertaining world class Amateur MMA can be."

 

/ENDS

 

About IMMAF:

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation is the international democratic governing body for the sport of MMA, representing stakeholders worldwide – athletes, coaches, referees, governments, athletic commissions, sports confederations, international associations, professional promoters and more. Founded from within the MMA community for the MMA community, the purpose of the IMMAF is to protect and further the regulation, development and recognition of the sport on all levels, enabling international competition through the organization of non-profit, democratic national federations. www.immaf.org