Andrew and Devleena Canday become first GAMMA-certified officiating couple
Andrew and Devleena Canday, a married couple from India, have been officially labeled as the first certified officiating couple under the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA).
The Canday’s, who have been married for four years, first met during their college days of boxing, but their true passion was combat sports which they work hard not to forget.
“We make it a point to take time during the week to lift weights and train together for MMA or BJJ. We are living proof of the phrase, you train together, you stay together,” Andrew said.
Having a common combat sport background and sharing similar values has been an integral part of their journey as a couple, “everyone experiences different moments of stress in their lives which can create internal pressure that needs an outlet. Having MMA and BJJ in our lives has given us our outlet, which has kept our relationship strong, our bodies healthy, and our minds wise,” he said.
Andrew is an engineer and businessman by profession, running a manufacturing company alongside his father, and co-owning a cryptocurrency exchange, but he still finds the time to dedicate to his refereeing responsibilities for GAMMA. In India the MMA movement is young and fast moving and the Canday’s are now GAMMA’s first internationally certified husband and wife.
“For several years, we have been educating Indian athletes about the sport of MMA and staging a number of national championships and other events,” Andrew said. “I made the transition from athlete to referee and there has been no turning back since that moment. I have made it my mission to impart sound knowledge of the sport and to educate individuals that are willing to learn and then certify them under the banner of GAMMA India. I currently have a home-grown team of over 40 well trained and experienced officials in India, including my beloved wife Devleena.”
GAMMA is the international governing body for mixed martial arts. Its mission is to develop, promote, and lead mixed martial arts to global recognition as the pinnacle of combat sports. GAMMA is based on the principle of equality and mutual respect between all affiliated member associations without prejudice against race, religion or internal politics.
GAMMA is responsible for the administration of men’s and women’s MMA, including the management of match conditions and officials for MMA, and the staging of international MMA World Championships for men, women, and juniors.
