The top nations in IMMAF are preparing to face off in the inaugural MMA Super Cup, a special nation-versus-nation tournament designed to crown the best amateur MMA nation in the world.

The tournament takes place between March 8-12 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and forms part of BRAVE International Combat Week, alongside pro event BRAVE CF 57, at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Manama.

The MMA Super Cup features IMMAF’s top six-ranked amateur MMA nations, as well as wild card teams representing the Balkan Champions and Arab Champions, in a tournament bracket format.

The first half of the draw is played out in Matches 1 and 2, as the tournament’s top seeds, RMMAU, facing Ireland in the competition opener, and Ukraine taking on the Arab Champions team in Match 2.

The second half of the draw features Kazakhstan, who take on the Balkan Champions, while second-ranked Bahrain face off against Tajikistan.

The winning national team will receive $100,000 toward the further development of sport in their region, with the losing finalists earning $75,000. The third place playoff winner will win $50,000.

Each team will consist of nine competing athletes, one per weight class. Each matchup will see nine bouts take place between the two national teams, with the team that wins the most matches in the series declared the winner.

The MMA Super Cup: Weight Classes

  • Men’s bantamweight (135 pounds)
  • Men’s featherweight (145 pounds)
  • Men’s lightweight (155 pounds)
  • Men’s welterweight (170 pounds)
  • Men’s middleweight (185 pounds)
  • Men’s light heavyweight (205 pounds)
  • Men’s heavyweight (265 pounds)
  • Women’s flyweight (125 pounds)
  • Women’s bantamweight (135 pounds)

The tournament will take place under IMMAF Amateur MMA Rules and World Anti Doping Agency Rules. All competing athletes will be medically screened by Safe MMA.

Photo credit: IMMAF