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Singapore-based mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion ONE Championship has confirmed a multi-year, seven-figure partnership with the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), the sport’s global governing body.
GAMMA was founded in 2018 and is based in Amsterdam, with its members are made up of national federations from over 60 countries.
GAMMA’s main objective is to achieve international recognition for MMA to be an Olympic sport and provide athletes with the opportunities to compete on that stage.
Through the partnership, ONE will work with GAMMA on securing Olympic status, as well as promote health and safety standards, anti-doping regulation and support MMA at the amateur level.
GAMMA will host the Amateur MMA World Championships in Singapore this November with ONE’s support.
Chatri Sityodtong, chairman and chief executive of ONE, said: “I am personally invested in developing the amateur mixed martial arts scene, and ensuring that all athletes have the right foundation and support to pursue a professional career in this sport.”
Alexander Engelhardt, President of GAMMA, added: “I would like to thank ONE Championship for their support and commitment to the sport of mixed martial arts,
“GAMMA and ONE aim to elevate the sport of mixed martial arts and prepare it for entry into the Olympics.”
The new strategic partnership comes after the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), another international body that purports to govern amateur MMA, recently saw its application for GAISF observer status rejected without reason. Obtaining that status is a key step towards Olympic recognition.
The IMMAF is backed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) but faces an uphill struggle as other combat sports already included in the Olympics are said to be against MMA joining the Games programme.
Singapore-based mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion ONE Championship has confirmed a multi-year, seven-figure partnership with the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), the sport’s global governing body.
GAMMA was founded in 2018 and is based in Amsterdam, with its members are made up of national federations from over 60 countries.
GAMMA’s main objective is to achieve international recognition for MMA to be an Olympic sport and provide athletes with the opportunities to compete on that stage.
Through the partnership, ONE will work with GAMMA on securing Olympic status, as well as promote health and safety standards, anti-doping regulation and support MMA at the amateur level.
GAMMA will host the Amateur MMA World Championships in Singapore this November with ONE’s support.
Chatri Sityodtong, chairman and chief executive of ONE, said: “I am personally invested in developing the amateur mixed martial arts scene, and ensuring that all athletes have the right foundation and support to pursue a professional career in this sport.”
Alexander Engelhardt, President of GAMMA, added: “I would like to thank ONE Championship for their support and commitment to the sport of mixed martial arts,
“GAMMA and ONE aim to elevate the sport of mixed martial arts and prepare it for entry into the Olympics.”
The new strategic partnership comes after the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), another international body that purports to govern amateur MMA, recently saw its application for GAISF observer status rejected without reason. Obtaining that status is a key step towards Olympic recognition.
The IMMAF is backed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) but faces an uphill struggle as other combat sports already included in the Olympics are said to be against MMA joining the Games programme.
