126 athletes from 20 countries and regions competed across 15 weight categories in the official Mixed Martial Arts showcase
Bahrain, October 26, 2025 – The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) marked a historic milestone at the 3rd Asian Youth Games, held in Bahrain from October 23 to 25, 2025, where the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) took center stage as an official competition discipline for the first time in the Games’ history.
Bringing together 126 athletes from 20 countries and regions, the MMA event featured 15 weight categories, each showcasing the remarkable skill, discipline, and sportsmanship of Asia’s next generation of martial artists.
“This event marks a defining moment for AMMA and for youth development in martial arts across Asia,” said Mr Gordon Tang, President of the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association. “To see MMA featured on the continental stage under the Olympic Council of Asia is proof of how far the sport has come in being recognized as a legitimate, structured, and safe discipline for young athletes.” Mr Gordon Tang also serves as the Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Chairman of OCA Esports, Mind Sports and Mixed Martial Arts committee, and President of the Asian Mind Sports Association.
The competition, held at the Exhibition World Bahrain, brought together both Modern MMA and Traditional MMA categories under AMMA’s pioneering Open Field of Play format — designed to emphasize accessibility, transparency, and athlete welfare.
Athletes representing nations such as China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, and more delivered thrilling performances, demonstrating both the diversity and depth of MMA talent across the continent.
Throughout the three-day event, bouts were conducted under AMMA’s standardized ruleset and officiated by certified referees and judges,
“The inclusion of MMA in the Asian Youth Games is more than just competition — it is the foundation for a sustainable future for the sport,” added Mr Galastein Tan, AMMA Director General. “Our goal is to nurture youth athletes through structured pathways that can lead to continental and global recognition.”
The success of the MMA showcase at the Asian Youth Games further reinforces AMMA’s vision to develop Mixed Martial Arts as a unified, educational, and empowering platform for young athletes across Asia.
With the momentum built in Bahrain, AMMA now looks ahead to upcoming continental championships and continued collaboration with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to strengthen the sport’s presence in future multi-sport events.