Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) today (April 12, 2012) announced its support of the newly-formed International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), a "democratic body to organize and drive the development of the sport on a worldwide basis."
From UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta:
"In order to maintain the successful growth of our sport, it is important to invest in resources that will develop and cultivate it at an amateur level. Having an umbrella organization that will oversee and help build the sport on a global level will not only provide advanced and ever-improving safety standards but will also create a unified global model to help introduce the sport to new markets. It is our hope that it will also take us one step closer to witnessing the inclusion of the sport of MMA on the Olympic program."
The purpose of the IMMAF, founded by August Wallén, former athlete and previous President of the Swedish MMA Federation, is to maintain unified rules on a global level, as well as promote fighter safety and regulation across International fronts, from the amateur level straight through to the pros.
The UFC is currently in Sweden as part of it's UFC on FUEL TV 2 event at the Ericsson Globe Arena on April 21 in Stockholm, featuring a main event between Alexander Gustafsson vs. Thiago Silva.
Video of the announcement (via Studio MMA) after the jump.
For more on the IMMAF visit the official website right here.
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