Kavanagh to head new Irish MMA governing body
The Irish Amateur Pankration Association (IAPA) last night announced that it will establish a national governing body for Mixed Martial Arts with John Kavanagh as president.
Ireland recently suffered a death in MMA, which led to calls for the banning of the sport. Steps have now been taken to increase bout regulation, and in a major move, the founder of SBG Ireland has been named head a new MMA body. This body will turn make government recognition possible.
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Ireland’s The42 has the story.
The Irish Amateur Pankration Association (IAPA) last night announced that it will establish a national governing body for Mixed Martial Arts with John Kavanagh as president.
The move means that IAPA will break from its existing place within the structure of the Irish Amateur Wrestling Association (IAWA) and set up the separate Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association (IMMAA).
The move comes after Sport Ireland boss John Treacy insisted that there must be a recognized governing body for MMA before it sets out on ‘a long road’ to gain full recognition from sport’s administrators.
With Kavanagh as president, the IMMAA has set out its intention to ensure all competitors are registered with the body, control medical checks before fights and advise promoters intending to run amateur MMA events in this country, including recommendations for referee and judge appointments.
IMMAA will be a member of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and will adhere to their rules and guidelines.
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