The 3rd Mongolian National Youth and Senior MMA Championships recently took place in Ulaanbaatar, hosted by the Mongolian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (MMMAF). This event marked a substantial increase in participation and boasted over 200 MMA athletes from various regions of the country from May 16 to May 18, making it the largest turnout in the history of the event.
The notable surge in participation underscores the burgeoning popularity of Mixed Martial Arts in Mongolia. Athletes representing 20 different organisations across the nation convened in Ulaanbaatar and were honoured with the prestigious sports titles of Mongolia for the first time.
The State Committee for Physical Education and Sport in Mongolia, as the highest governing body in the country’s sports sector, decided to bestow MMA fighters and referees with distinguished sports titles, including Master of Sports of Mongolia and Master of International Class. This recognition not only paid tribute to the athletes who participated in the national championships, but also served as a source of motivation for future athletes to consider a career in MMA.
Mr Gantumur Dashdavaa, General Secretary of the MMMAF, expressed confidence in the positive impact of this development, stating “We are confident that this development will serve as a catalyst for Mongolian MMA fighters to refine their skills and attain greater success. Furthermore, we anticipate that it will inspire Mongolian children and youth to engage in the practice of MMA.”
The successful conclusion of the national championships in Mongolia sets the stage for a series of upcoming events organised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). IMMAF is scheduled to host the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi, the IMMAF Asian Championships in Pakistan, and the IMMAF World Championships in Uzbekistan in the coming months, reflecting the global growth and development of the sport.
The 3rd Mongolian National Youth and Senior MMA Championships in Ulaanbaatar not only served as a platform for athletes to showcase their talents, but also marked a significant milestone for the sport in Mongolia. With the increasing recognition and support for MMA at the national level, the future of the sport in the country appears to be on a promising trajectory.