International Mixed Martial Arts Federation

What International Mixed Martial Arts Federation does

IMMAF is the global governing body for amateur Mixed Martial Arts, founded in 2012 in Sweden and now registered as a non-profit under Swiss law. It serves over 120 national federation members spanning more than 120 countries, with approximately 50 federations recognized by their respective National Olympic Committees or National Sports Authorities. The organization provides standardized rules, governance frameworks, coaching and officiating education, athlete welfare and safeguarding standards, and a WADA-compliant anti-doping program delivered through the International Testing Agency (ITA). Its core products include the IMMAF Championships portfolio (World, Continental, Youth, and Junior events), the IMMAF Mobile Application (iOS/Android) which delivers the Technical Progression Scheme and grading assessments, the IMMAF TV streaming platform, the Athlete Rankings & Database, and the unified amateur MMA rules first introduced in 2014.

IMMAF operates as an event-driven, community-led organization with a hybrid monetization model. Revenue streams include championship hosting rights (sold to member nations, sports authorities, and commercial entities), coach licensing and certification fees through its Technical Progression Scheme, and event management / technical seminar services bundled into hosting partnerships. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Distribution is handled through a 120+ national federation network that acts as a channel/reseller layer, complemented by direct digital distribution via the mobile application and IMMAF TV streaming. Its primary customer segments are national federations (business unit) and athletes (persona), with secondary segments including coaches, officials/referees, and government or sports authorities. Strategic partnerships anchor the ecosystem: UFC as a foundational supporter since 2012, BRAVE Combat Federation and RDX Sports (both renewed for 2026), Peace and Sport for peace-through-sport programs, and the ITA for anti-doping delivery. The organization employs a lean paid administrative team of 1–10 staff, with board-level governance handled by elected volunteer directors representing regional constituencies.

Name

International Mixed Martial Arts Federation

Legal name

International Mixed Martial Arts Federation

Website

https://immaf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IMMAF is the global governing body for amateur MMA, founded in 2012. It serves 120+ national federations across 120+ countries, standardizing rules, organizing championships, providing coach licensing, and developing athlete pathways from amateur to elite.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amateur Sport Governance

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Sport Federations (IFs) (MPAKAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Combat Sports Sanctioning Bodies & Commissions (Boxing/MMA/Kickboxing) (MPAKAFAI)

Keywords

• Amateur MMA governance
• Sport federation services
• Athlete ranking systems
• Coach licensing programs
• Championship event management

Headquarters

HQ city

Grono

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Championship Hosting Rights: IMMAF sells hosting rights partnerships to member nations, sports/government authorities, and commercial entities for future championships. Hosts gain global audience, economic impact, tourism opportunity, media exposure, sponsorship revenue, and broadcast opportunities.
2. Coach Licensing & Education: IMMAF conducts coaching licensing courses worldwide and offers certification programs through the Technical Progression Scheme. Revenue generated from training course fees and certification.
3. Event Management Services: IMMAF provides technical seminar weeks, event organization support, and education programs included as part of hosting partnerships to upskill MMA communities.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IMMAF serves as the recognized global governing body for amateur Mixed Martial Arts, setting unified rules and safety standards, organizing international championships (World, Continental, Youth, and Junior) for national teams from 120+ member federations, and delivering coach licensing, technical progression education, anti-doping, and safeguarding programs through its mobile application and in-person events. The federation supports national federation development, athlete rankings, referee certification, and Olympic recognition pathways across more than 120 countries.

Product overview

IMMAF's product portfolio centers on governing and organizing amateur mixed martial arts competitions worldwide, with its core offerings being championship events (World, Continental, and Youth Championships) and supporting digital platforms. The IMMAF Mobile Application serves as the primary digital tool for athletes and coaches, providing the technical syllabus and grading assessment capabilities. Additional offerings include IMMAF TV for streaming content, the IMMAF Store for merchandise, and the Athlete Rankings & Database system. The Technical Progression Scheme provides standardized grading pathways across the sport. Together, these products support the federation's mission of developing MMA as an international sport from recreational to elite levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IMMAF Championships Flagship amateur MMA tournament events including World Championships, Continental Championships (European, African, Asian, Pan American), and Youth Championships for athletes aged 10 and above, bringing together national teams from member federations worldwide.
• IMMAF Mobile Application Mobile application (iOS/Android) for athletes providing access to the IMMAF Technical Syllabus (Teach Me section) and enabling coaches to conduct and record grading assessments for technical progression and coach licensing courses.
• IMMAF TV Streaming platform providing live event broadcasts, highlights, and on-demand video content from IMMAF championships and related programming to a global audience.
• IMMAF Athlete Rankings & Database System for tracking and displaying athlete rankings and profiles from IMMAF competitions worldwide, supporting talent development pathways from recreational to elite amateur MMA competition.
• IMMAF Technical Progression Scheme Talent Development Pathway providing standardized technical grading across MMA, enabling national federations to manage membership and set minimum technical requirements for competition participation. The scheme establishes criteria for striking, clinches, takedowns, ground techniques, and fence control.
• IMMAF Store Online merchandise store offering IMMAF branded products and apparel.

Quantifiable outcome

• 449 million estimated followers worldwide for MMA as a sport
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, strategic and minor.

• UFCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026UFC has been a long-term supporter of IMMAF since its founding. UFC provided support for IMMAF's establishment in 2012 and continues support in 2026. The partnership involves foundational support for the global governing body's mission to develop MMA as a sport and achieve Olympic recognition.
• BRAVE Combat FederationmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026BRAVE Combat Federation renewed its partnership with IMMAF for 2026, supporting the development of amateur MMA globally. BRAVE is a major MMA promotion that aligns with IMMAF's mission to grow the sport worldwide.
• RDX SportsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026RDX Sports renewed its partnership with IMMAF for 2026. RDX Sports is a combat sports equipment brand that supports IMMAF championships and events.
• UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts FederationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026IMMAF reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with UAE MMA Federation. Abu Dhabi hosts major IMMAF championships including Youth World Championships 2026. The partnership supports IMMAF's global championship calendar.
• Peace and SportstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeace and Sport partners with IMMAF to harness sport for engendering peace in communities affected by violence through developing programmes to socially benefit young people. IMMAF has a dedicated Peace through MMA Commission.
• Cellular Fitness WorldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCellular Fitness World appears as a partner on the IMMAF website, providing equipment or support for events.
• International Testing Agency (ITA)strategicTechnology or IntegrationIMMAF Anti Doping Programme utilizes ITA (International Testing Agency) platform and certificates. IMMAF Anti Doping Programme has surpassed 1,200 ITA certificates awarded, demonstrating effective integration with ITA systems.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Judo Federation (IJF): IOC-recognized International Federation for judo. Highly relevant peer given IMMAF's leadership has heavy judo pedigree (Olympic medallists in CEO and President roles); IJF shows the maturity, commercial structure, and tournament ecosystem that IMMAF is building toward in MMA.
• World Taekwondo (WT): IOC-recognized International Federation for taekwondo with global national federation membership and standardized rules for amateur competition. Demonstrates the pathway for an Asian-rooted combat sport to achieve Olympic status with associated commercial and participation scale.
• World Karate Federation (WKF): International Federation for karate, recently removed from the Olympic program. Relevant peer for understanding the commercial and IOC-recognition dynamics facing non-Olympic and recently-Olympic combat sport IFs as IMMAF pursues Olympic inclusion.
• United World Wrestling (UWW): IOC-recognized International Federation for amateur wrestling, operating as the world governing body analogous to how IMMAF aspires to govern amateur MMA. Both bodies run world championships, continental events, and standardized referee/official certification across member national federations.
• WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations): International federation for amateur kickboxing, with multi-discipline world championships and IOC-observed status. Directly comparable in scope and competitive positioning to IMMAF within the broader combat sports IF landscape.
• International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA): Recognized IF for amateur Muay Thai, also under GAISF and pursuing Olympic recognition. Directly comparable to IMMAF as another combat sport federation operating in the niche/Olympic-aspiration tier with similar governance, championship, and NOC-recognition challenges.
• International Boxing Association (IBA): Former AIBA, the International Federation for amateur boxing. Closest direct functional peer as an international combat sports federation running Olympic-pathway amateur championships, national federation memberships, and standardized rules. Demonstrates the IF business model IMMAF aspires to scale.

Broad incumbents

• UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship): The dominant professional MMA promotion and long-term core partner of IMMAF since 2012. While not a federation, UFC is the principal commercial incumbent and ecosystem partner whose support underpins IMMAF's professional pathway strategy and operational continuity.

Others

• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA): Global anti-doping regulator to which IMMAF's program aligns via the ITA platform (1,200+ certificates). WADA adherence is a key institutional benchmark for combat sport federations seeking IOC recognition, making WADA a critical regulatory and standards-setting peer for IMMAF.
• Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF / SportAccord): Umbrella association for IFs including IMMAF's recognized peers (UWW, IJF, WT, IBA). IMMAF's history notes that GAISF advised IMMAF and WMMAA to consolidate under a single applicant for sport recognition, making GAISF a key institutional reference and regulatory peer in IMMAF's pathway to wider recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/immafed
• Facebookfacebook.com/immafed

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Mixed Martial Arts Federation