Landmark event serves as official qualifier for the 3rd Asian Youth Games that will be held in Bahrain in October, spotlighting the future of Asian MMA

Bahrain, August 31, 2025 – The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) successfully staged its inaugural Youth Championship from August 29–30, 2025 at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Bahrain, marking a significant milestone in the growth of the sport across Asia.

This landmark event was held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and highlights the Kingdom of Bahrain’s growing role as a host of major combat sports competitions.

The championship, which drew participation from athletes representing more than a dozen countries and regions across Asia, served as the official qualifying event for the 3rd Asian Youth Games that will be held in Bahrain from 23 – 25 October. Young competitors between the ages of 16 and 17 showcased their skills on AMMA’s pioneering open field of play, a format designed to emphasize safety, fairness, and accessibility for all participants.

The summer heat did little to dampen the spirits of more than 100 athletes from 19 countries/regions who had flown in from as far as Indonesia and the surrounding regions, eager to earn their places in the upcoming Asian Youth Games. The athletes competed across 2 full days in 19 different categories in back to back matches featuring non-stop action and an exciting array of martial skills.

“This Youth Championship is not only about competition, but about creating pathways for the next generation of martial artists,” said Mr Galastien Tan, Director General of the AMMA. “By integrating directly with the Asian Youth Games, we are ensuring that MMA has a sustainable and recognized future within the Asian sporting landscape.”

Teams from Central Asia swept the top positions with Tajikistan and Kazakhstan taking 1st and 2nd place respectively in the medal tally.

With the successful conclusion of the inaugural Youth Championship, AMMA cements its commitment to developing talent pipelines, providing young athletes with international exposure, and aligning with the broader objectives of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

Initiative strengthens technical expertise and governance ahead of the 3rd Asian Youth Games

Bahrain, August 28, 2025 – The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA), in partnership with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), has concluded its latest Coaches & Referees Development Program in Bahrain, underscoring its commitment to building a holistic ecosystem for the sport.

The program brought together dozens of regional coaches and referees for intensive training, knowledge-sharing, and certification under AMMA’s unified standards. The initiative ensures that not only athletes, but also the technical officials guiding them, are equipped to deliver safe, fair, and world-class competition standards.

The timing of the program is especially significant, as AMMA prepares to oversee MMA competitions at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in October 2025. By investing in technical education, AMMA is ensuring a legacy of consistency, integrity, and excellence across all its sanctioned events.

The Coaches & Referees Development Program complements AMMA’s wider efforts — including grassroots tournaments, youth athlete development, and continental championships — in building a bright and sustainable future for mixed martial arts in Asia.

Dovetailing from the rigorous 3-day training program, referees and coaches got to hone their skills on the mats with the inaugural AMMA Youth Championship that began immediately after the Coaches & Referees Program was concluded. Across 2 days, athletes from across the region, from Central to South East Asia, gathered for 2-days of non-stop MMA action to earn their spot in the upcoming Asian Youth Games in October.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) officially announced the inclusion of Mixed Martial Arts into the Asian Games sports system.

The OCA has officially decided to include mixed martial arts in the Asian Games system during coordination meetings for the Hangzhou Asian Games and the 6th Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games in Thailand, Chonburi. The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) also attended the meetings.

Mixed martial arts is a versatile combat sport that combines various fighting techniques such as striking, wrestling, and judo. It has gained widespread recognition and development in the international combat sports community. The decision of the OCA to include mixed martial arts in the Asian Games system is an important support and affirmation for the development of the sport.

The inclusion of mixed martial arts will make the competition at the Asian Games more diverse and exciting. It will also provide a broader platform for mixed martial artists in Asia and help promote the development of mixed martial arts in the region.

The decision has received widespread support and welcome from combat athletes and enthusiasts in Asia. They believe that the inclusion of mixed martial arts in the Asian Games system will help raise the international level and influence of the sport, as well as provide more opportunities and challenges for mixed martial arts enthusiasts in Asia.

The official inclusion of mixed martial arts in the Asian Games system will provide more opportunities and challenges for mixed martial artists in Asia. They will have the chance to participate in higher-level competitions and compete with top athletes from various countries, thereby improving their skills and competitiveness.

As a new combat sport, mixed martial arts has been widely developed and promoted globally. The decision of OCA will not only promote the development of mixed martial arts in Asia but also provide more opportunities and challenges for mixed martial artists worldwide.

In summary, the decision to officially include mixed martial arts in the Asian Games system will play a positive role in promoting the development and promotion of mixed martial arts in Asia, as well as the growth and improvement of mixed martial artists in the region.