Bahrain team ready for IMMAF

Manama : Bahrain are set to participate in the first edition of the 2017 International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Asian Amateur Open Championships from today until Friday at Marina Bay Sands Exhibition and Convention Centre in Singapore.

The Kingdom will be represented by Hussain Ayyad, Nayef Fikri and Abbas Khan have qualified to represent Bahrain at their relative weight classes, accompanied by Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation board member Yousif Al Kooheji and coach Eldar Eldarov.

Abdulla is in the Men’s Flyweight: 56.7 kg (125 lbs), Fikri, Men’s Lightweight: 70.3 kg (155 lbs) and Khan, Men’s Middleweight: 83.9 kg (185 lbs). These fighters are members of the KHK MMA initiative under the leadership of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and Honorary President of the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation (BMMAF), which has promoted and popularised the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in Bahrain. Recently Bahrain, has attracted global attention due to the growth of the sport and popularity of global events conducted by Bahrain based initiatives.

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) recently announced that Bahrain will host the fourth edition of the IMMAF World Championships of Amateur MMA, in November 2017. World Championships will feature amateur mixed martial fighters from around the world competing at the most recognised championship supported by premium fight promotions.

The Singapore championship is based on a nation vs nation format and the 17 participating national teams are - Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, UK and US, with Belarus, Chinese Taipei, Singapore and South Korea making their debuts.