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.

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.