By Press Release

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has announced that the 2020 IMMAF World and Junior World Championships and the 2020 IMMAF Asian and Junior Asian Open Championships will both take place in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan.

The announcement was made earlier today at a press conference organised by Host Federation, the Kazakhstan National Public Union of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Federation, attended by IMMAF President Kerrith Brown, IMMAF CEO Densign White and General Director of Kazakhstan MMA federation Valikhan Ten.

The 2020 IMMAF Asian & Junior Asian Open Championships is scheduled for 23 – 27 June 2020 (with the Tournament Draw on 22 June), and the 2020 IMMAF World and Junior World Championships will take place during the week commencing 25 October. The Asian Open plays out at the Palace of Combat and Martial Arts – Zhekpe Zhek, with the venue for the Worlds to be confirmed.

The Kazakhstan National Public Union of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Federation is recognised by the National Sport Committee of Kazakhstan. The National Team ranks 3rd place in the Senior World Amateur MMA Rankings and 2nd place in the Juniors. The team picked up 18 medals including 4 golds* at the 2019 IMMAF World Championships in Bahrain, and 22 medals including 7 golds* at the 2019 Asian Open in Thailand. Stand out athletes included strawweight, Bagdat Zhubanysh, who places 3rd and female atomweight Ayan Tursyn, who places 16th in the World Amateur Pound 4 Pound rankings.

Speaking at the Nur Sultan press conference, General Director of Kazakhstan MMA federation Valikhan Ten said:

“We are very proud to host these prestigious events in Kazakhstan. We will do our best to deliver the events to the highest level.”

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said:

“There was tense bid process between Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Kazakhstan to host the Championships: We are certain that Kazakhstan will perform to a high level and will be able to deliver the event to a gold standard. From our side, we will give every support.”

President Brown thanked IMMAF Honorary President, Vadim Finkelchtein; the new President of the Kazakhstan National Public Union of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Federation and Chairman of the Management Board of JSC NC “KazMunayGas”, Aidarbayev Alik Serikovich; and the National Sport Committee of Kazakhstan for their support in facilitating the hosting of the IMMAF World and Asian Championships by Kazakhstan.

*Kazakhstani 2019 World Gold medallists are Bagdat Zhubanysh, Talshyn Zhumatayeva, Fariz Abdalov, Gani Adilserik

***Kazakhstani 2019 Asian Gold medallists are Ayan Tursyn, Talshyn Zhumatayeva, Bagdat Zhubanysh, Olzhas Moldagaliyev, Anatoliy Zolotykh, Aidyn Tolepbayev, Madi Dosmukhametov – Men’s Middleweight