UFC Director Marshall Zelaznik with FIMMA President August Wallén
During the UFC On FUEL TV 2 press conference, held this Thursday, the creation of the International MMA Federation was announced. The entity is based in Sweden, the country that hosts a UFC event for the first time this weekend.
Representing the UFC at the UFC On FUEL TV 2 press conference, the organization's director of international development Marshall Zelaznik declared that the UFC supports the new entity, information confirmed by an official press release that even contained a statement from Lorenzo Fertitta, one of the owners from the UFC.
“In order to maintain the successful growth of our sport, it is important to invest in resources that will develop and nurture it at the amateur level. Having one organization that will oversee and help build the sport on a global level will not only establish advanced and ever-improving safety standards, but will also create a unified worldwide model to help introduce the sport to new markets. It is our hope that the International Federation will also bring us one step closer to witnessing the inclusion of MMA into the Olympic program.”
FIMMA is chaired by August Wallén, former MMA fighter and former president of the Swedish MMA Federation, and was founded on February 29, 2012, in Stockholm, Sweden. This country's MMA federation was the first to request membership in FIMMA.
“This is a very proud day for us,” said Wallén. “FIMMA is committed to being at the forefront of the development of MMA as a global sport, from its recreational origins to the elite level, supporting the development of rules and best practices related to health, safety, youth engagement and more.”
As an autonomous non-governmental organization, FIMMA will be based solely on donations and will initially not charge fees to member federations.
Photo: FIMMA official website
