The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA), FIMMA’s recognised Asian Confederation, has entered the final phase of preparations to deliver the first-ever Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition at the Asian Games. In September, the sport will make its historic debut at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 .
The inclusion of MMA on the programme of Asia’s largest multi-sport event represents a landmark moment for the sport. For FIMMA and AMMA, this represents an opportunity to demonstrate that MMA can be make a strong contribution to a major multi-sport event, strengthening the sport’s case for future inclusion in other continental Games and, ultimately, the Olympic Movement.
“The Asian Games are a defining moment for Mixed Martial Arts,” said Gordon Tang, President of FIMMA and AMMA. “Our athletes have earned the opportunity to compete on one of the biggest stages in international sport. With that comes a responsibility to deliver a competition of the highest standard. We are proud to be working with the Olympic Council of Asia and the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee to showcase our sport, our athletes and our officials, while demonstrating the professionalism, governance and technical expertise that continue to drive Mixed Martial Arts forward.”
Competition will take place at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center across three competition days beginning on 20 September. The inaugural Asian Games Mixed Martial Arts competition will bring together 59 athletes representing 23 National Olympic Committees, competing for six Asian Games gold medals across Modern and Traditional MMA disciplines. The programme features men’s Modern MMA (-60kg and -71kg), men’s Traditional MMA (-65kg and -77kg), women’s Modern MMA (-54kg) and women’s Traditional MMA (-60kg).
Behind the scenes, preparations have intensified in recent months as AMMA works closely with the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee to finalise every aspect of competition delivery. A Technical Committee meeting in Nagoya in early August will bring together organisers and AMMA officials to review competition venue, operational planning and final technical arrangements ahead of the Games.
Preparation has also built on the systems and experience developed through AMMA’s continental championships. Regular technical meetings, continuous review of officials’ performances and close collaboration with National Federations have helped establish consistent competition standards across the sport as it prepares for its Asian Games debut. Drawing on these foundations, the federation has continued to strengthen athlete welfare, technical governance and competition delivery throughout the Games planning process.
An experienced International Technical Official panel (ITO) has been assembled to oversee the competition. AMMA has appointed 33 ITOs representing 18 Asian National Federations, supported by 14 National Technical Officials from host nation Japan. Many of the appointed officials have officiated at recent AMMA continental championships and were selected through an ongoing evaluation process conducted by the federation’s Technical Committee.
Galastein Tan, Director General of AMMA and FIMMA said: “Preparing for the Asian Games has been an opportunity to strengthen the way we work as a federation. Through our recent championships, we have continued to refine our technical processes, working closely with our officials and National Federations, and embedding consistently high standards across every aspect of competition delivery. That preparation gives us confidence that we are ready to deliver a successful debut for Mixed Martial Arts at the Asian Games.”
As the countdown to 20 September continues, attention is now firmly focused on ensuring that the sport’s long-awaited Asian Games debut leaves a lasting legacy not only for the athletes who will make history in Nagoya, but also for the continued growth of Mixed Martial Arts across the international sporting landscape.
About FIMMA
The Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts (FIMMA) was founded to provide unified global governance for MMA and drive the sport toward Olympic recognition.
Building on the successful model established by the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA), FIMMA emphasises athlete safety, transparent governance, and technical excellence. The federation is committed to collaborating with all organisations that share its vision for protecting and promoting the global interests of MMA and its athletes.
FIMMA operates under rules that prioritise athlete safety, including the elimination of cages/rings in favour of an open field of play (FOP) and implementing comprehensive medical, anti-doping and safety protocols.
Contact information
For interview requests, additional information or media assets relating to this announcement, please contact the FIMMA Communications Team.
Email: media@fimma.org