The International Federation of Mixed Martial Arts (IMMAF) announced today their decision to recognize the Federazione Italiana Grappling Mixed Martial Arts (FIGMMA) as a member.
FIGMMA was founded as a non-profit association in 2009 with the mission of representing grappling and MMA in Italy.
It contributed to the founding and development of the Italian MMA Federation (ITMMAF), now the former IMMAF-recognized Italian federation.
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FIGMMA is spearheaded by former ITMMAF president Emiliano Lamnci and board members Fabio Ciolli and Patrizio Maggiori.
Courtesy FIGMMAThey are generally credited with helping to bring regulation to MMA in Italy, along with financing and organizing the national team to compete in their first 2014 IMMAF World Championships of Amateur MMA.
In essence, FIGMMA assumed the mantle of operations that the ITMMAF. Grappling and MMA
“The IMMAF acknowledges the hard work and commitment of Emiliano Lanci, Fabio Ciolli and Patrizio Maggiori who, with the support of FIGMMA, never waned in their belief in the IMMAF vision, said IMMAF Secretary General, Erika Mattsson.
“We are proud of the ITMMAF initiative, that it got us this far, and now we look forward to working with FIGMMA and support their development of sport regulation and amateur competition within Italy. This is the first time we have established a permanent solution with a member federation that governs another sport besides. This is something we in general are very hesitant to do as MMA needs focused representation from within the MMA community. FIGMMA has however beyond doubt shown that they are the premier proponent of MMA in Italy and I am confident that they will manage their dual responsibilities with great professionalism as well as true passion.”
FIGMMA BOARD
President
Francesco Saverio Longo
Vice President
Vito Paolillo
MMA Commission
Vito Paolillo (Vice President)
Fabio Ciolli
Alessandro Federico
Grappling/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Commission
Bernardo Serrini (Vice President)
Gianfranco Delli Paoli
Giulio Candiloro
General Secretary
Vito Paolillo
Auditor
Marco Befera
FIGMMA NATIONAL TEAM
In order to select the athletes to represent the Italian National Team for IMMAF international competition FIGMMA is organizing annual qualifiers culminating in a final tournament, the FIGMMA National MMA Team Trials.
FIGMMA COMPETITION CALENDAR 2014
1 November: 3rd Praedator Young e Veterans (Mercurago di Arona – Novara)
9 November: 4th Coppa Italia di MMA (Roma)
20-23 November: Campionato Mondiale di Grappling UWW (Mosca – Russia)
6 December: Colosseum MMA (Sassari)
14 December: 2nd Coppa Italia di Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Grappling Gi (Roma)
27 December: Praedator FC MMA (Milano)
