Latest news with #IMMAFYouthWorldChampionships
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
South Africa's MMA championship set to showcase top talent in Durban
MMA SA amateur athletes at a tournament this year Image: MMASA South Africa's top mixed martial arts athletes will be competing for the title of SA champion at the national event taking place in Durban. Mixed Martial Arts South Africa (MMASA) is hosting the youth, junior and senior national championship from Friday June 13 to 15 at the DLI Hall in Greyville. Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling. It incorporates techniques from various combat sports from around the world, including boxing, wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu and karate. Preggy Valuyathum, president of MMASA, said they were looking forward to hosting about 150 participants, aged between 10 and 35, from across the country. Valuyathum said the three-day competition brings together youth and amateur fighters from across the country to compete, learn, and grow in a supportive, high-standard environment. "The MMASA nationals is designed specifically to promote amateur athletes and youth development in MMA, providing a safe and structured platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills and passion. 'Our priority is to nurture and empower young and amateur fighters through quality competition and development opportunities,' said Valuyathum. Winners in various weight and age categories at the MMASA nationals will earn the opportunity to represent South Africa at upcoming international IMMAF events, including IMMAF Youth World Championships in the UAE in July and the IMMAF Senior World Championships in Georgia in September. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading "This provides a valuable platform for South African athletes to compete on the global stage and gain international exposure," he said. He said martial arts is one of the fastest-growing sport in the world. It is a very safe and controlled sport. "MMA is perceived as a brutal sport, but its not the case. It is technical, but has a lot of safety measures," said Valuyathum. He said MMA was good for self-defence and is encouraging locals to attend and support the athletes at the event. Tickets are available at the door at R100 per person. SUNDAY TRIBUNE
Gulf Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Emirati trailblazer Zamzam takes next big step with PFL Mena signing
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest-growing and most innovative sports league in the world, announced the signing of Zamzam Al Hammadi, a fast-rising Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) star from the UAE. 'I'm happy that I've signed with PFL MENA and it's a pleasure for me to be part of the PFL family,' said Zamzam. 'I'm happy to represent my country on a global stage like the PFL and Inshallah, God will help me to achieve all my dreams.' The 17-year old Zamzam is a decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA competitor with championship victories at the IMMAF Youth World Championships and the JJIF World Youth Championships in 2023. She currently has a 2-0 record in amateur MMA. Zamzam comes from a family of martial artists, as her mother, Nada Al Nuaymi, is a judo and jiu-jitsu practitioner, while her sister Ghala is also a decorated grappler and MMA fighter. 'We're thrilled to bring in one of the fastest rising young stars, not just in the Middle East but also in the world, in Zamzam Al Hammadi,' said Jerome Mazet, General Manager of PFL Mena. 'At such a young age, Zamzam already has world championship experience, and we're excited to have her on the PFL MENA roster. One of the goals of PFL MENA is to be able to showcase homegrown talent, and there's no better example than Zamzam, who's going to be a huge inspiration to all the aspiring young talents from the UAE and the Middle East. We cannot wait to see what she can do inside the world-famous PFL SmartCage.' Zamzam is expected to showcase her world-class skills in amateur showcase bouts in the upcoming PFL Mena season. She follows in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia's Hattan Alsaif, who became the first female from the country to sign with a major MMA promotion in 2024.
Arab News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Rising Emirati MMA fighter Zamzam Al-Hammadi signs with PFL MENA
DUBAI: The Professional Fighters League has signed Zamzam Al-Hammadi, a rising MMA star from the UAE. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport 'I'm happy that I've signed with PFL MENA and it's a pleasure for me to be part of the PFL family,' said Al-Hammadi after the recent announcement. 'I'm happy to represent my country on a global stage like the PFL and Inshallah, God will help me to achieve all my dreams.' Al-Hammadi, 17, is a decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA competitor with titles at the IMMAF Youth World Championships and the JJIF World Youth Championships in 2023. She currently has a 2-0 record in amateur MMA. Al-Hammadi comes from a family of martial artists. Her mother, Nada Al-Nuaymi, is a judo and jiu-jitsu practitioner, while her sister Ghala is also a decorated grappler and MMA fighter 'We're thrilled to bring in one of the fastest rising young stars, not just in the Middle East but also in the world, in Zamzam Al-Hammadi,' said Jerome Mazet, general manager of PFL MENA. 'At such a young age, Zamzam already has world championship experience, and we're excited to have her on the PFL MENA roster. 'One of the goals of PFL MENA is to be able to showcase homegrown talent, and there's no better example than Zamzam, who's going to be a huge inspiration to all the aspiring young talents from the UAE and the Middle East. 'We cannot wait to see what she can do inside the world-famous PFL SmartCage.' Al-Hammadi will compete in amateur showcase bouts in the upcoming PFL MENA season. She follows in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia's Hattan Alsaif, who became the first female from the country to sign with a major MMA promotion in 2024.
