The next generation of Asian MMA returns as young athletes from across the region gather for three days of elite youth competition

Uzbekistan | 18 – 20 May 2026

The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) has officially announced the 2nd AMMA Youth Championship 2026, set to take place in Uzbekistan from 18 to 20 May 2026, bringing together the region’s most promising young mixed martial arts athletes for three days of high-level competition.

Following the success of the inaugural Youth Championship and the sport’s historic appearance at the Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025, the upcoming event marks another important step in AMMA’s long-term commitment to developing youth pathways for mixed martial arts across Asia.

The championship will feature youth athletes representing national federations and associations from across the continent, competing under AMMA’s unified ruleset designed to prioritise athlete safety, technical skill development, and sportsmanship. The competition will once again showcase both Modern MMA and Traditional MMA categories, providing a structured platform for young martial artists to test their abilities at an international level.

“The AMMA Youth Championship represents the future of mixed martial arts in Asia,” said Mr. Galastein Tan, AMMA Director General. “By creating opportunities for young athletes to compete in a safe, structured, and internationally recognised environment, we are building the next generation of martial artists who will represent the sport on the global stage.”

Since its establishment, the AMMA Youth Championship has served as a key platform for talent identification and athlete development, allowing young competitors to gain international experience while strengthening the sport’s grassroots foundations across Asia.

With Uzbekistan hosting the upcoming edition, the event is expected to bring together a vibrant community of athletes, coaches, officials, and supporters, further reinforcing the growing momentum of mixed martial arts in the region.

As AMMA continues to work closely with national federations and sporting organisations, the 2nd AMMA Youth Championship 2026 will once again highlight the discipline, respect, and competitive spirit that define the sport.

More details on participating countries, competition categories, and event schedules will be announced in the lead-up to the championship.

Close to 200 athletes from 19 countries and regions gathered in China for the first official qualifier for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Riyadh Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games (AIMAG).

Luzhou, January 12, 2026 – The 3rd AMMA Championship concluded at the Luzhou Olympic Park Stadium in Sichuan, China. Held from January 9 to 11, this event represented a major milestone for the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA), serving as the official qualifying tournament for the 2026 Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games and the 2026 Riyadh Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games.

The championship featured close to 200 athletes from across Asia, including the People’s Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Iran, India, and Uzbekistan. As the only MMA governing body recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), AMMA organized the competition to ensure a standardized, safe, and transparent path for athletes to earn their spot on the continental stage.

Competition Breakdown

Athletes competed across 23 weight categories, divided between Modern and Traditional MMA formats:

Regional Participation Stats

• Leading Delegations: The People’s Republic of China entered the largest team with 23 athletes, followed by powerhouse squads from Iran (20) and Kazakhstan (19).
• Regional Depth: Strong contingents also arrived from India (14), Mongolia (14), Uzbekistan (13), and Indonesia (11).
• Focused Squads: Other participating nations included Thailand (10), Vietnam (9), South Korea (8), Saudi Arabia (8), Chinese Taipei (11), Kyrgyzstan (7), Tajikistan (6), Cambodia (5), Jordan (5), Hong Kong (3), Malaysia (3), and Singapore (1).

The 3rd AMMA Championship reinforces the vision of AMMA President Mr. Gordon Tang to establish MMA as a unified and legitimate discipline within the Olympic movement. The second and final official qualifier for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and the Riyadh AIMAG will take place in May, with details to be announced soon.

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.

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.