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.

Singapore – 10 Apr 2025: The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) is proud to announce the inaugural AMMA Youth Championship, marking a historic milestone as the first youth-focused championship ever held under the AMMA banner.

This event, which will be held in Bahrain, 26 – 28 June 2025, not only showcases the rising talents across Asia’s mixed martial arts (MMA) scene but will also serve as the official qualifying tournament for the 3rd Asian Youth Games, set to take place in Bahrain in October 2025.

In another momentous first, the inclusion of Mixed Martial Arts as an official sport in a major multi-sport event—the Asian Youth Games—signals a turning point for the sport, solidifying its status and growing influence within the international sporting community.

“This is more than just a tournament,” said Mr. Gordon Tang – President, Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association. “It’s a celebration of youth, discipline, and the unifying power of sport across cultures. We are making history, not just for AMMA, but for MMA as a whole.”

The championship promises to bring together the best young athletes from across Asia, offering them a platform to compete at the highest level and represent their countries on one of the biggest stages for youth sport.

Details, including registration information, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Singapore – 4 Mar 2025: The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has officially announced the inclusion of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. This is a significant milestone for the sport, providing athletes from across Asia a chance to compete on a major international stage.

MMA’s inclusion highlights its growing global influence and the hard work of athletes, officials, and national associations to bring the sport to this level. Athletes will not only showcase their physical skills but also the discipline, passion, and determination central to mixed martial arts. The competition will feature the following weight categories:

• Traditional MMA Men: 65KG, 77KG
• Traditional MMA Women: 60KG
• Modern MMA Men: 60KG, 71KG
• Modern MMA Women: 54KG

This development will boost MMA’s visibility and credibility, offering new opportunities for our athletes to represent their countries/regions to compete at the highest level in Asia.

Manila – 17 Oct 2024: On October 16, 2024, the inaugural Asian Mixed Martial Arts Open in Manila, Philippines, came to a triumphant close. The exhilarating matches highlighted the athletes’ remarkable skills and relentless determination, offering spectators an unforgettable showcase of top MMA competition across Asia.

The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Manila Open is a collaborative effort between the prestigious AMMA (Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association), 9 Dynasty Group, one of Asia’s leading entertainment companies, and the event host, NMMAPP (Philippine Mixed Martial Arts Association). Together, they brought this elite continental tournament to life.

The successful hosting of this event marks a significant milestone in the history of Asian mixed martial arts, showcasing the continued growth and limitless potential of the sports throughout the Asia.

At the opening ceremony, Gordon Tang, President of the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association, shared his sincere words of encouragement for the athletes. He emphasized that the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Manila Open is more than just a tournament; it is a celebration of strength and passion. He expressed his hope that every competitor would deliver a truly unforgettable and thrilling performance for the audience and fans.

This prestigious tournament brought together 88 elite athletes from 15 countries and regions across Asia, competing in 11 different weight categories for both men and women and traditional and modern MMA. The competitors exhibited the pinnacle of mixed martial arts in the region, displaying remarkable technical prowess and an indomitable fighting spirit throughout the event.

In the final stage, after intense and hard-fought battles, the champions of each weight division were finally crowned. Tajikistan ranked first in the overall team rankings, winning four weight division championships, Kazakhstan ranked second with three championships, and the People’s Republic of China ranked third, securing two weight division championships! With champions crowned across all divisions, the tournament concluded on a triumphant note.

The list of champions is as follows:

Women’s Division
Modern 54kg: Kuang Fei (CHN)
Traditional 60kg: Liang Na (CHN)

Men’s Division
Modern 56kg: Mussabek Yernaz (KAZ)
Modern 65kg: Rajabov Otabek (TJK)
Modern 77kg: Anas Nurkesh (KAZ)
Modern 96kg: Yu Chin-Cheng (TPE)
Traditional 60kg: Salohidinov Muhammad (TJK)
Traditional 65kg: Aslanov Gamlet (KAZ)
Traditional 71kg: Sohibnazarov Lutfullo (TJK)
Traditional 85kg: Abdizhaparov Belek (KGZ)
Traditional 120kg: Vakhobov Azmuddin (TJK)

With the champions of each weight division now announced, the inaugural Asian Mixed Martial Arts Open concluded on a high note. The success of this event is a result of the athletes’ relentless dedication, the enthusiastic support of the spectators, and, most importantly, the generous sponsorship from 9 Dynasty Group, 4E Exchange, Fb Sports, B Sports, Bb Sports, V Sports, Yy Sports, and Newport World Resort. Their invaluable support made this prestigious event possible.

About AMMA
The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) was established in 2022 to promote and develop MMA in Asia, focusing on athlete safety, inclusivity, and professionalism. AMMA has organized two successful championships in Bangkok (2023) and Phnom Penh (2024), and continues to strive for MMA’s recognition in major international sporting events.

About NMMAPP
The Nasyonal Mixed Martial Arts Pederasyon ng Pilipinas (NMMAPP) is the governing body for MMA in the Philippines, responsible for developing the sport and organizing both national and international competitions in the country.

About 9 Dynasty Group
9 Dynasty Group (9D) is a leading international entertainment company recognized for its professional services. The group specializes in brand marketing, tourism operations, and is committed to providing top-tier, thoughtful service for its partners and clients.

Singapore – 19 Sep 2024: The first-ever Asian Mixed Martial Arts Manila Open will take place from 14 – 16 October 2024 in Manila, bringing together 88 of our best athletes from 16 countries and regions. This prestigious event is set to be a defining moment for the growth of MMA in Asia, with champions from the 2023 Bangkok and 2024 Phnom Penh AMMA Championships competing for glory.

AMMA Manila Open Unveiled at Press Conference

On 18 September 2024, a press conference at Newport World Manila officially introduced the AMMA Manila Open to the media and the public. Representatives from AMMA, the Nasyonal Mixed Martial Arts Pederasyon ng Pilipinas (NMMAPP), 9 Dynasty Group, and Newport World Resorts shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament.

Alvin Aguilar, Secretary-General of NMMAPP, expressed his gratitude to Mayor Abraham Tolentino, President of NMMAPP and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), for his pivotal role in making the event possible. Aguilar said:

“Thanks to Mayor Tolentino, we now have an official platform for Filipino fighters to showcase their skills, not just in amateur and pro tournaments, but in events that give them the chance to win medals and bring honor to the country.”

Showcasing Asia’s Best Athletes

The AMMA Manila Open will feature 11 weight categories for both modern and traditional men and women, bringing together the best MMA athletes from across Asia, including past AMMA champions and medalists who will once again compete for gold. Chin-Cheng Yu from Chinese Taipei, a two-time AMMA medalist who won bronze in the 2023 AMMA Championship and silver in the 2024 AMMA Championship shared his ambitions for the tournament:

“In the last two championships, I identified areas where I needed to improve, and I’ve been working hard on them. My goal this time is to win the gold.”

He also expressed his excitement about competing with top athletes from the region and exchanging techniques and experiences on the international stage. This determination is echoed by many athletes, all of whom have been rigorously preparing for this event.

Shown here are (from left) 9 Dynasty’s Derris Wong, AMMA Sports Director Galastein Tan, AMMA Organizing Committee Chairman Lock Wai Han, POC and NMMAPP President Abraham Tolentino, Secretary General Alvin Aguilar and Newport Chief Marketing Officer David Jorden.

A Milestone for MMA in Asia

The AMMA Manila Open 2024 is not just a competitive platform; it is a significant milestone in the growth of MMA in Asia. Lock Wai Han, Chairman of the AMMA Organizing Committee, emphasized the association’s vision for the sport:

“Our mission is to make MMA safer, more inclusive, and ultimately a globally recognized sport. The AMMA Manila Open is a crucial milestone on this journey, and we are excited to see Asia’s best athletes compete.”

In addition to elite competition, the event underscores the importance of grassroots development in MMA. Abraham Tolentino noted that this event is key to nurturing future talent:

“MMA has always had strong support in Asia, but this event marks a turning point, as it will help build a solid foundation for future athletes and further elevate the sport in the region.”

Looking Ahead

With an impressive lineup of top-tier competitors, strong organizational backing, and growing public interest, the AMMA Manila Open 2024 promises to be an unforgettable event. Fans and athletes alike are eagerly anticipating three days of high-level competition, as Asia’s best MMA athletes vie for glory in this landmark tournament.

About AMMA
The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) was established in 2022 to promote and develop MMA in Asia, focusing on athlete safety, inclusivity, and professionalism. AMMA has organized two successful championships in Bangkok (2023) and Phnom Penh (2024), and continues to strive for MMA’s recognition in major international sporting events.

About NMMAPP
The Nasyonal Mixed Martial Arts Pederasyon ng Pilipinas (NMMAPP) is the governing body for MMA in the Philippines, responsible for developing the sport and organizing both national and international competitions in the country.

About 9 Dynasty Group
9 Dynasty Group (9D) is a leading international entertainment company recognized for its professional services. The group specializes in brand marketing, tourism operations, and software development, and is committed to providing top-tier security and service for its partners and clients.