55 athletes from 21 countries and regions compete across six medal categories as Mixed Martial Arts marks a historic milestone on Asia’s biggest multi-sport stage.

Nagoya, Japan | 20–22 September 2026

The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) celebrates a landmark moment for the sport as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) successfully concludes its historic debut at the 20th Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026, marking a significant milestone in the development and recognition of MMA across Asia.

Held from 20 to 22 September at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center in Japan, the competition brought together 55 athletes representing 21 countries and regions, competing across six medal categories in Modern MMA and Traditional MMA.

For the first time in Asian Games history, MMA athletes stepped onto one of the continent’s most prestigious sporting stages, competing for Asian Games medals and the opportunity to make history for their respective nations.

Three Days of Historic Competition

The competition commenced on 20 September with preliminary and quarter-final bouts, followed by the semi-finals on 21 September. The tournament culminated on 22 September with the finals and medal ceremonies, where the first Asian Games MMA medallists were crowned.

Across six medal categories, including four men’s and two women’s divisions, athletes demonstrated technical excellence, determination and sportsmanship, showcasing the strength and diversity of MMA talent across the continent.

From striking exchanges to technical submissions and closely contested bouts, the competition highlighted the distinct disciplines of Modern and Traditional MMA, introducing the sport to a wider audience on the Asian Games stage.

A Defining Milestone for Asian Mixed Martial Arts

MMA’s inclusion in the 20th Asian Games represents a significant achievement for AMMA and its member federations, reflecting years of collective efforts to develop the sport, establish unified competition standards and create opportunities for athletes across Asia.

The historic debut also marks an important step forward in AMMA’s mission to strengthen the sport’s presence within the international multi-sport landscape.

Beyond the competition itself, the Asian Games provided an opportunity for athletes, coaches, referees and national federations from across the continent to come together and demonstrate the continued growth of MMA as an organised and internationally recognised sport.

Celebrating Asia’s First Asian Games MMA Medallists

The final day of competition marked a historic occasion as the first-ever Asian Games MMA medals were awarded across six categories.

Each medal represents not only an individual achievement but also a significant moment for the national federations, coaches and support teams who have contributed to their athletes’ development and preparation for the Games.

Their performances on this historic stage serve as an inspiration to the next generation of MMA athletes aspiring to represent their nations at the highest levels of international competition.

AMMA President Gordon Tang said the Asian Games debut represented an important step for the sport and its athletes.

“Nagoya has shown what MMA can achieve within a major multi-sport environment,” said President Tang. “We are extremely proud of the athletes who competed here and of the quality of the competition they delivered. For MMA, this is an important milestone and an important step towards our ambition of Olympic recognition. There is still much work to do, but Nagoya has given us a strong foundation for the next stage of our journey.”

Building on a Historic Achievement

The successful conclusion of MMA’s Asian Games debut builds on a landmark year for AMMA, following the 3rd AMMA Championship in China and the 2nd AMMA Youth Championship and 4th AMMA Championship in Uzbekistan earlier in 2026.

These competitions have provided important platforms for athlete development, international competition and qualification, contributing to the growing strength of MMA across Asia.

AMMA extends its appreciation to the Olympic Council of Asia, the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee, participating national federations, athletes, coaches, referees, officials, volunteers and partners whose contributions made this historic debut possible.

As the first chapter of MMA’s Asian Games history comes to a close, AMMA remains committed to developing the sport across the continent, strengthening opportunities for emerging talent and building on the foundations established at Aichi–Nagoya 2026.

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

Continental titles, Asian Games qualification, and national pride were on the line as Asia’s elite mixed martial artists converged in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan | 22 – 24 May 2026

The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association has successfully concluded the 4th AMMA Championship 2026 in Uzbekistan, marking three days of world-class competition that brought together the continent’s top mixed martial arts athletes in pursuit of championship glory and qualification for Asia’s biggest multi-sport events.

From 22 to 24 May, national teams from across Asia stepped onto the open field of play to compete in both Modern MMA and Traditional MMA divisions, delivering high-level performances that showcased the continued evolution of mixed martial arts throughout the region.

With qualification spots for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya and the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Riyadh 2026 on the line, every contest carried added significance. Athletes competed not only for medals and titles, but for the opportunity to represent their countries and nations on the biggest stages in Asian sport.

Throughout the championship, competitors demonstrated exceptional technical skill, resilience, and sportsmanship, reflecting the growing strength and depth of MMA talent across Asia. The event also served as a gathering point for athletes, coaches, referees, and officials committed to advancing the sport under a unified and internationally recognised framework.

“The 4th AMMA Championship represents the pinnacle of mixed martial arts competition in Asia,” said Galastein Tan, Director General of Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association “Over the past three days, we have witnessed outstanding performances from athletes who have dedicated themselves to their craft and proudly represented their nations. The standard of competition continues to rise with every edition, demonstrating the tremendous progress of MMA across the continent.”

Hosted in Uzbekistan, the championship reinforced the country’s growing role as a destination for international combat sports and provided a fitting stage for Asia’s elite athletes to compete at the highest level.

The event also capped off a landmark week for Asian mixed martial arts. Earlier in the week, the 2nd AMMA Youth Championship 2026 welcomed close to 100 youth athletes from 11 countries and regions, highlighting the next generation of talent emerging across the continent. Together, the two championships brought nearly 300 athletes from 22 countries and regions to Uzbekistan, showcasing both the future and present of Asian mixed martial arts on one international stage.

As the championship concludes, AMMA extends its gratitude to all participating national federations, athletes, coaches, referees, officials, volunteers, and partners whose collective efforts contributed to another successful edition of the championship.

With athletes now turning their focus towards the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Riyadh 2026, the performances in Uzbekistan have once again demonstrated that the future of Asian mixed martial arts has never looked stronger.

Asia’s next generation of mixed martial artists took to the open field of play in three days of elite youth competition, sportsmanship, and international exchange

Tashkent, Uzbekistan | 18 – 20 May 2026

The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association has officially concluded the 2nd AMMA Youth Championship 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, following three days of high-level youth mixed martial arts competition that brought together some of Asia’s most promising young athletes.

Held from 18 to 20 May 2026, the championship welcomed youth athletes representing national federations and associations from across the continent, competing in both Modern MMA and Traditional MMA divisions under AMMA’s unified ruleset focused on athlete safety, technical development, and sportsmanship.

Across the three-day championship, athletes showcased discipline, resilience, and skill as they competed on the international stage, while also building friendships and connections beyond the competition arena. The event once again highlighted the rapid growth of youth mixed martial arts across Asia and the increasing standard of competition among the region’s emerging athletes.

“The future of Asian mixed martial arts is incredibly bright,” said Galastein Tan, Director General of AMMA. “Over the past three days, we witnessed not only the talent and determination of these young athletes, but also the values that define our sport: respect, discipline, courage, and unity. The AMMA Youth Championship continues to be an important platform for developing the next generation of martial artists in Asia.”

The championship also reinforced AMMA’s long-term commitment to building sustainable youth development pathways for mixed martial arts across the continent following the sport’s successful inclusion at the Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025.

Hosted in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the event brought together athletes, coaches, referees, officials, and supporters in a celebration of martial arts and international sporting exchange, further strengthening regional collaboration and the continued growth of mixed martial arts in Asia.

As the 2nd AMMA Youth Championship comes to a close, AMMA extends its appreciation to all participating federations, athletes, officials, volunteers, and partners who contributed to the success of the event.

The championship once again demonstrated the power of sport in bringing together Asia’s next generation — both on and beyond the field of play.

With the conclusion of the 2nd AMMA Youth Championship, attention now turns to the 4th AMMA Championship, which will be held at the same venue in Uzbekistan from 22 to 24 May 2026. The championship will bring together Asia’s top senior mixed martial arts athletes as they compete on the continent’s premier stage, continuing a week-long celebration of mixed martial arts in the region.

11 March 2026 – The Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts (FIMMA) has been recognised by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) reinforcing FIMMA’s rapid progress in developing MMA globally and ambitions to secure the sport’s place at the world’s most prestigious events, including the Olympic Games.

Following the formal granting of recognition at ANOCA’s General Assembly in Angola in

December 2025, FIMMA is now commencing work in partnership with ANOCA, to achieve

ambitious shared goals:

• Promoting sports participation among African youth
• Strengthening technical and organisational capacities
• Cooperating with National Olympic Committees and African sports institutions
• Respecting principles of good governance, sports ethics, and inclusion

“MMA is a universally-accessible sport. For us at the Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts, the development of MMA in Africa is a top priority,” said FIMMA President Mr Gordon Tang. “FIMMA is delighted to now have the opportunity to work with all African National Olympic Committees on the development of MMA in their territories. And we are deeply grateful to the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa for this opportunity to help African MMA athletes achieve their full potential.”

“The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa is happy to recognise the Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts, and to support it in achieving the goals we share for African MMA athletes,” said ANOCA President Mr Mustapha Berraf. “MMA athletes from our territories have already proven their ability to lead the world. From Engolo in Angola, host of our last General Assembly, to Laamb in Senegal, host of the next Youth Olympic Games Africa, African nations have also made huge contributions to the development of different sporting combat styles. Together with FIMMA we are sure there is a bright future in African for MMA and its athletes.”

Since its establishment in December 2025 in Athens, FIMMA has already taken significant steps towards ensuring world-leading standards in sports development, including the ongoing creation of coaching education materials in conjunction with the International Olympic Academy, based in Olympia.

“As FIMMA continues its rapid progress to develop the sport, putting MMA athletes at the heart of its work, we look forward to continuing to develop partnerships in African and especially with the Pan-African organisations that do so much for sport throughout the continent,” continued President Tang.

FIMMA’s Asian confederation, the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) has already achieved recognition from the Olympic Council of Asia. In addition to the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain and Southeast Asian Games in Thailand held in 2025, AMMA will organise competitions for the sport at the forthcoming 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September 2026 and 7th Riyadh Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in December 2026.

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.