UKMMAF Amateur World Championships Team
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Background Information:
The IMMAF will be holding the first World Championships in Amateur MMA to be held between the 30th of June and 6th of July 2014 in Las Vegas, USA, during the Las Vegas Fight week and in conjunction with the UFC Fan Expo.
The International MMA Federation was founded in February 2012 and has since worked diligently to provide a non-profit, democratic foundation for MMA to grow into an internationally recognized sport that is at par with other major sports. As part of the work to develop MMA all the way from the grass-roots and up, the IMMAF is proud to announce the first World Championship in Amateur MMA which will be held in Las Vegas, USA, in the beginning of July 2014.
“We are very happy to announce this much anticipated and great step forward for the sport of MMA.” says IMMAF Board Member August Wallén. “MMA deserves the same opportunities to develop as all other world sports and MMA athletes deserve the same chances to excel in international competition. We are dedicated in providing the MMA community with the first of many top level World Championships that will meet international quality standards as well as excite MMA practitioners and followers around the world. Las Vegas as the location provides for an excellent setting for athletes and spectators alike.”
The IMMAF World Championships will be held during the Las Vegas Fight Week and the UFC Fan Expo, a much appreciated event which each year attracts thousands of fans to celebrate their passion for MMA through participation in exhibitions, training sessions, special events and competitions. The World Championships are open to national teams consisting of amateur athletes representing a national federation affiliated to the IMMAF. An athlete is eligible to compete if he/she is on the amateur level, is 18 years or older, meet the requirements regarding experience posed by the IMMAF amateur MMA rules and has been fairly selected by a national federation.
The tournament will run for a week with each weight division as a single elimination tournament that depending on the size of the division will run for four or five days before reaching the finals on the Saturday. Each weight division will run one full round of competitions per day which means that all contestants will participate in a maximum of one match per day and a total of four or five matches over the course of the week for those who reach the final. One gold, one silver and two bronze medals will be awarded in each weight division.
The IMMAF has to date received applications from organizations in 75 countries wanting to represent their country as the national federation. Since international standards for national sports federations are high, the IMMAF has a strict process to ensure that requirements such as true non-profit status, democratic structure and fair representation of the national MMA community are met. There are currently 21 IMMAF members and with over 140 pending applications the number is estimated to have reached 40 by the time registrations close for the World Championships.
Visit the World Championship site for more information, www.immaf.org/worldchampionships
The British Team:
2014: The interim UKMMAF is in its formative stages and we have a short lead time to the Championships:
Name: Jamie Powell / Flyweight: -56.7 kg (125 lbs)
Age:21
Hometown: Boston, Lincolnshire
Gym: Avaddon MMA
Amateur MMA record: 8-2-0
Other combat sports experience / titles/ belts: K1 3-0-0, Amateur boxing 1-0
Fighting style: Stand-up striker/grappler
Twitter:@powell1jamie
"Words can't explain how happy I am to be going to the world championships. It's a lifetime opportunity that I know will be a great experience for me no matter the outcome. I'm training hard as ever and feeling great in the build-up to the championships and I am certain I will deliver a great performance in Las Vegas!"
Name: Carl Burton / Bantamweight: -61.2 kg (135 lbs)
Fight name: The Honeybadger
Age: 27
Hometown: Macclesfield
Gym: 12gauge MMA
Record: 6-1-0
Other combat sports experience / titles/ belts: Rage in the Cage Bantamweight Champion
Fighting Style: MMA
Twitter: @carl86burt
"To be selected as a member of the first GB team is an amazing feeling and the thought of representing GB on the world stage is exciting. I know it's a huge responsibility but I can’t wait to get out there and show what we have to offer."
Name: Jordan Chester / Featherweight: -65.8 kg (145 lbs)
Age: 18
Hometown: Preston
Gym: Reps MMMA
Amateur MMA record: 3-0
Other combat sports experience / titles/ belts: ACB British Amateur Champion
Fighting style: Wrestling and striking
Facebook: Jordan Chester
Twitter: @JChesterMMA
Name: Charlie Day / Lightweight: -70.3 kg (155 lbs)
Age: 23
Hometown: Wisbech
Gym: Avaddon MMA
Amateur record: 3-1
Boxing record: 1-0
Fighting style: MMA
Twitter: @charlieday101
"I'm overwhelmed with happiness for this opportunity to represent the UK in the world championships and it literally is a dream come true for me. I can't wait to get to Vegas and compete at a high level against world class athletes. It's a huge test for everyone but my heart is firmly fixed on bringing a gold back to the UK in the 70kg division."
Name: Josh Stacey McManus / Welterweight: -77.1 kg (170 lbs)
Age: 19 years old
Hometown: Leicester
Gym: 1st Legion Fighters Gym, Leicester
Amateur MMA record: 7-5-0
Other combat sports experience / titles/ belts:
Muay Thai, assistant coach at 1st Legion
Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt under Victor Estima
BJJ Titles: Hereford Open Champion X3 ; UMA Gi and NoGi Junior Champion; Gracie Open Champion; British Open NoGi Silver Medalist
MMA Titles and experience: MMA League Junior Champion (15yrs old) ; Fight UK Last Man Standing Welterweights Runner up (3 fights in one night !) ; Punch Up Promotions Welterweight Champion; ICO English Welterweight Champion
Fighting style: I do like a tear up, so stand and bang!
Facebook: Josh Stacey McManus
Twitter: @Jstacey_mcmanus
"I am absolutely buzzing. It's unbelievable. I had a bit of bad luck last year but this year has been awesome. I have kept very busy fighting, was runner up in Fight UK Last Man Standing Tournament and picked up the Punch Up Promotions Welterweight Title and also the ICO English Welterweight Title. I have had 7 fights this year including a boxing match so I am fight ready for the Championships!!! It is a great honour to represent my gym and my country doing what I love; and doing it in the first ever World Amateur MMA Championships is unbelievable . Thank you to the UKMMAF for the opportunity!!"
Name: Daniel Cassell / Middleweight: -83.9 kg (185 lbs)
Fight name: Pork Chop
Age: 23
Hometown: Wolverhampton
Gym: Wolfpack MMA
Amateur MMA record: 5-2-0
Other combat sports experience / titles/ belts: None
Fighting style: MMA
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DanielCassell
Twitter: @Cassell_12
"The opportunity of being in this selection is amazing, knowing that I have the chance to compete alongside some of the best amateurs in the world. It will be a real test. I am looking to go as far as I can to help put both my club and country on the map!"
• UK Team Director is Robbie Olivier of Tsunami Fight Gym (Luke Barnatt, John Maguire, Jack Mason)
2015: With a year to plan for the 2015 championships, the UKMMAF can be expected to follow the template of other countries where the National Federations are more established and have held national try-outs and training events in the run up to the Championships. PR will be carried out throughout.
* Male categories: Flyweight - Heavyweight = 8 categories. (16 fighters)
Realistic Female categories: Flyweight - Featherweight = 3 categories (6 fighters)
The UKMMAF Observational Board Members
The UKMMAF board consists of interim members for the purpose of establishing the UK Federation and growing membership under the umbrella of the IMMAF, after which time the positions will go up for vote. Current board members are listed below:
• Chair: Mark Day (Coach, Former Fighter, MMA Judge and Commissioner)
• Secretary: Robbie Olivier (Head coach, Fighter, IMMAF Board member)
• Head of the UK Technical Subcommittee: Marc Goddard (UFC and British MMA referee, IMMAF Technical Subcommittee, Safe MMA board member)
• Leon Roberts (UFC and British MMA referee)
• Rosi Sexton (Fighter, Safe MMA board member)
• Nick Peet (Fighters Only magazine editor)
• Izzy Carnwath (Project Manager at Safe MMA)
• Dr. Maeve Rodgers (Safe MMA Medical Representative)
Please note that the UKMMAF is a volunteer run project with no current outside funding.
Funding required
The UKMMAF is looking to source £20,000 (est.) to cover the costs of the UK MMA team for the 2014 competition
Costs include:
• Safe MMA registration, bloods and medicals
• Hotel costs for team and coaches
• Travel to Las Vegas for team and coaches
• Personal expenses / subsistence for team and coaches (TBC)
• Equipment (TBC)
• Insurance (TBC)
The IMMAF will be holding the first World Championships in Amateur MMA to be held between the 30th of June and 6th of July 2014 in Las Vegas, USA, during the Las Vegas Fight week and in conjunction with the UFC Fan Expo.
The International MMA Federation was founded in February 2012 and has since worked diligently to provide a non-profit, democratic foundation for MMA to grow into an internationally recognized sport that is at par with other major sports. As part of the work to develop MMA all the way from the grass-roots and up, the IMMAF is proud to announce the first World Championship in Amateur MMA which will be held in Las Vegas, USA, in the beginning of July 2014.
“We are very happy to announce this much anticipated and great step forward for the sport of MMA.” says IMMAF Board Member August Wallén. “MMA deserves the same opportunities to develop as all other world sports and MMA athletes deserve the same chances to excel in international competition. We are dedicated in providing the MMA community with the first of many top level World Championships that will meet international quality standards as well as excite MMA practitioners and followers around the world. Las Vegas as the location provides for an excellent setting for athletes and spectators alike.”
The IMMAF World Championships will be held during the Las Vegas Fight Week and the UFC Fan Expo, a much appreciated event which each year attracts thousands of fans to celebrate their passion for MMA through participation in exhibitions, training sessions, special events and competitions. The World Championships are open to national teams consisting of amateur athletes representing a national federation affiliated to the IMMAF. An athlete is eligible to compete if he/she is on the amateur level, is 18 years or older, meet the requirements regarding experience posed by the IMMAF amateur MMA rules and has been fairly selected by a national federation.
The tournament will run for a week with each weight division as a single elimination tournament that depending on the size of the division will run for four or five days before reaching the finals on the Saturday. Each weight division will run one full round of competitions per day which means that all contestants will participate in a maximum of one match per day and a total of four or five matches over the course of the week for those who reach the final. One gold, one silver and two bronze medals will be awarded in each weight division.
The IMMAF has to date received applications from organizations in 75 countries wanting to represent their country as the national federation. Since international standards for national sports federations are high, the IMMAF has a strict process to ensure that requirements such as true non-profit status, democratic structure and fair representation of the national MMA community are met. There are currently 21 IMMAF members and with over 140 pending applications the number is estimated to have reached 40 by the time registrations close for the World Championships.
Visit the World Championship site for more information, www.immaf.org/worldchampionships
The British Team:
2014: The interim UKMMAF is in its formative stages and we have a short lead time to the Championships:
Name: Jamie Powell / Flyweight: -56.7 kg (125 lbs)
Age:21
Hometown: Boston, Lincolnshire
Gym: Avaddon MMA
Amateur MMA record: 8-2-0
Other combat sports experience / titles/ belts: K1 3-0-0, Amateur boxing 1-0
Fighting style: Stand-up striker/grappler
Twitter:@powell1jamie
"Words can't explain how happy I am to be going to the world championships. It's a lifetime opportunity that I know will be a great experience for me no matter the outcome. I'm training hard as ever and feeling great in the build-up to the championships and I am certain I will deliver a great performance in Las Vegas!"
Name: Carl Burton / Bantamweight: -61.2 kg (135 lbs)
Fight name: The Honeybadger
Age: 27
Hometown: Macclesfield
Gym: 12gauge MMA
Record: 6-1-0
Other combat sports experience / titles/ belts: Rage in the Cage Bantamweight Champion
Fighting Style: MMA
Twitter: @carl86burt
"To be selected as a member of the first GB team is an amazing feeling and the thought of representing GB on the world stage is exciting. I know it's a huge responsibility but I can’t wait to get out there and show what we have to offer."
Name: Jordan Chester / Featherweight: -65.8 kg (145 lbs)
Age: 18
Hometown: Preston
Gym: Reps MMMA
Amateur MMA record: 3-0
Other combat sports experience / titles/ belts: ACB British Amateur Champion
Fighting style: Wrestling and striking
Facebook: Jordan Chester
Twitter: @JChesterMMA
Name: Charlie Day / Lightweight: -70.3 kg (155 lbs)
Age: 23
Hometown: Wisbech
Gym: Avaddon MMA
Amateur record: 3-1
Boxing record: 1-0
Fighting style: MMA
Twitter: @charlieday101
"I'm overwhelmed with happiness for this opportunity to represent the UK in the world championships and it literally is a dream come true for me. I can't wait to get to Vegas and compete at a high level against world class athletes. It's a huge test for everyone but my heart is firmly fixed on bringing a gold back to the UK in the 70kg division."
Name: Josh Stacey McManus / Welterweight: -77.1 kg (170 lbs)
Age: 19 years old
Hometown: Leicester
Gym: 1st Legion Fighters Gym, Leicester
Amateur MMA record: 7-5-0
Other combat sports experience / titles/ belts:
Muay Thai, assistant coach at 1st Legion
Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt under Victor Estima
BJJ Titles: Hereford Open Champion X3 ; UMA Gi and NoGi Junior Champion; Gracie Open Champion; British Open NoGi Silver Medalist
MMA Titles and experience: MMA League Junior Champion (15yrs old) ; Fight UK Last Man Standing Welterweights Runner up (3 fights in one night !) ; Punch Up Promotions Welterweight Champion; ICO English Welterweight Champion
Fighting style: I do like a tear up, so stand and bang!
Facebook: Josh Stacey McManus
Twitter: @Jstacey_mcmanus
"I am absolutely buzzing. It's unbelievable. I had a bit of bad luck last year but this year has been awesome. I have kept very busy fighting, was runner up in Fight UK Last Man Standing Tournament and picked up the Punch Up Promotions Welterweight Title and also the ICO English Welterweight Title. I have had 7 fights this year including a boxing match so I am fight ready for the Championships!!! It is a great honour to represent my gym and my country doing what I love; and doing it in the first ever World Amateur MMA Championships is unbelievable . Thank you to the UKMMAF for the opportunity!!"
Name: Daniel Cassell / Middleweight: -83.9 kg (185 lbs)
Fight name: Pork Chop
Age: 23
Hometown: Wolverhampton
Gym: Wolfpack MMA
Amateur MMA record: 5-2-0
Other combat sports experience / titles/ belts: None
Fighting style: MMA
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DanielCassell
Twitter: @Cassell_12
"The opportunity of being in this selection is amazing, knowing that I have the chance to compete alongside some of the best amateurs in the world. It will be a real test. I am looking to go as far as I can to help put both my club and country on the map!"
• UK Team Director is Robbie Olivier of Tsunami Fight Gym (Luke Barnatt, John Maguire, Jack Mason)
2015: With a year to plan for the 2015 championships, the UKMMAF can be expected to follow the template of other countries where the National Federations are more established and have held national try-outs and training events in the run up to the Championships. PR will be carried out throughout.
* Male categories: Flyweight - Heavyweight = 8 categories. (16 fighters)
Realistic Female categories: Flyweight - Featherweight = 3 categories (6 fighters)
The UKMMAF Observational Board Members
The UKMMAF board consists of interim members for the purpose of establishing the UK Federation and growing membership under the umbrella of the IMMAF, after which time the positions will go up for vote. Current board members are listed below:
• Chair: Mark Day (Coach, Former Fighter, MMA Judge and Commissioner)
• Secretary: Robbie Olivier (Head coach, Fighter, IMMAF Board member)
• Head of the UK Technical Subcommittee: Marc Goddard (UFC and British MMA referee, IMMAF Technical Subcommittee, Safe MMA board member)
• Leon Roberts (UFC and British MMA referee)
• Rosi Sexton (Fighter, Safe MMA board member)
• Nick Peet (Fighters Only magazine editor)
• Izzy Carnwath (Project Manager at Safe MMA)
• Dr. Maeve Rodgers (Safe MMA Medical Representative)
Please note that the UKMMAF is a volunteer run project with no current outside funding.
Funding required
The UKMMAF is looking to source £20,000 (est.) to cover the costs of the UK MMA team for the 2014 competition
Costs include:
• Safe MMA registration, bloods and medicals
• Hotel costs for team and coaches
• Travel to Las Vegas for team and coaches
• Personal expenses / subsistence for team and coaches (TBC)
• Equipment (TBC)
• Insurance (TBC)
Organizer
UK MMAF
Organizer
