IMMAF ANNOUNCES 2022 ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN TAJIKISTAN

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation has announced the dates and location for its 2022 Asian Championships, scheduled to take place from 27 to 30 October, with athlete registration and draw taking place on 26 October. Hosted by the Tajikistan MMA Federation, the nations, amateur MMA tournament will take place in the city of Dushanbe in Tajikistan, featuring senior and junior categories.

The designation of hosting rights for the continental championships follows the historic meeting between IMMAF’s Asian federations on Sunday to form an Asian MMA Federation to foster mutual interests between its members for the regional and global development of the sport.

Further details will be published shortly with the opening of registration to national teams.

Asia has become a hotbed of emerging talent and industry for IMMAF and MMA, with Bahrain, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan holding dominant positions in the World Amateur MMA Rankings. Bahrain has hosted three IMMAF World Championships, this year launching its Super Cup brand, while the UAE hosted the 2021 IMMAF Worlds and has the hosting rights for the Youth World Championships for three years. The young Saudi MMA Federation has got off to an energetic start, launching women’s coaching and competitive opportunities for the first time this year.

IMMAF’s Asian nations include: Afghanistan, Bahrain, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Phillippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan Chinese Taipei, Tajikistan, Thailand, UAE, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

TAJMMAF President Davron Juraev said: "We are hosting the IMMAF Asian Championship in Tajikistan and it’s very important event for all the people of our country. All the fans of MMA have been counting down to when the IMMAF Championship will be held in Tajikistan. Now it’s time. Dushanbe will remain in the heart of all the participants as a special and unforgettable place. Calling all athletes to come prepared to put on fantastic contests!"

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said: “We are pleased to announce the return of IMMAF’s Asian Championships after three years. In this time IMMAF’s footprint has continued to expand on the continent, we have hosted three flagship events there, and both athlete and grassroots sport development have grown at an exponential rate. Therefore, we expect this Championships to set new benchmarks and break new records for Amateur MMA in Asia, and we are grateful to President Davron Juraev and the TAJMMAF for providing us with the opportunity to organise the event in their country.”