Mixed Martial Arts Canada has been approved by IMMAF to govern the sport of mixed martial arts in the country ©Getty Images

Mixed Martial Arts Canada (MMAC) has been approved by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Board of Directors to govern the sport in the country.

Under the arrangement, MMAC will govern mixed martial arts (MMA) as a sporting discipline of World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (WAKO) Canada, with its own independent Organising Committee.

With support from IMMAF, MMAC are set to establish rules and regulations, train officials and create a competition schedule for amateur MMA in Canada.

The longer-term target of the new arrangement is to develop national amateur talent to represent Canada and win medals in elite IMMAF competitions.

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said he had
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said he had "every confidence" in the development of mixed martial arts in Canada ©IMMAF

Speaking about the partnership IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said: "I have every confidence in this development for MMA in Canada, which puts the management of amateur MMA into capable and experienced hands.

"That the new federation has already embarked on its national selections and is promising to send a substantial team to upcoming IMMAF events is a positive indicator, and I fully expect to see an acceleration in the progress of the sport in Canada."

WAKO Canada President Muzammal Nawaz added: "It has been a wonderful experience working with the management of IMMAF to begin the creation of an amateur MMA federation in Canada.

"Even though our sports are different we have the same level of commitment to safe sport, organisational transparency and athlete/coach development.

"I’m excited to support IMMAF Canada as they create a grassroots structure to bring together the many clubs, coaches and athletes in Canada involved in the exciting sport of amateur MMA."