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Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) Director General Peter Stafford met with a delegation from the Chinese city of Chengdu last 4 May in Lausanne, to discuss future opportunities to host events in the region. Stafford met with Wang Yi, the new director for Chengdu Sports Bureau, and Wang Guangliang, the Deputy Director General for the Foreign Affairs Office of Chengdu Municipal People’s Government and Chengdu People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, according to a press release sent by GAMMA.

The Sichuan capital has already hosted Chengdu 2021 Summer World University Games (which eventually took place in 2023), and is part of the longer-term events strategy for the city after the World Games 2025. The meeting also serves to strengthen relationships between sport and the city of Chengdu.

GAMMA’s Director General presented the organisation’s strategic roadmap and discussed the significance of its member federation, GAMMA China, as well as the potential for organising future MMA events in Chengdu.



Claudio Ballor of Major Events International (MEI), who organised the delegation’s visit, was also present. As part of the relationship with MEI, Stafford will be representing GAMMA as a speaker at the MEI Host and Federations Summit in Lausanne next month.

"Having the opportunity to discuss the growth and popularity of MMA in China and sharing our strategic roadmap with the representatives from the city of Chengdu was extremely valuable. Chengdu has shown its capabilities for hosting great events and has reaffirmed its commitment to bring international events to the city. We will be working together with our Member in China to explore possibilities for bringing GAMMA events to the city in the future." Stafford commented.