COVID Restrictions Force Move of European MMA Championships 2021 to Ukraine
The Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) has rescheduled the GAMMA European MMA Championships 2021 for 5-9 November in the Ukraine, following a decree by the government of Georgia that prohibits all mass sports events in the country.
The Championship was slated to take place in Tbilisi from 5-9 October but a spike in COVID cases has led the authorities to place a ban on all international events.
“We are absolutely gutted that the European Championship cannot take place this year in Georgia as originally intended,” said GAMMA President Alexander Engelhardt. “But such is the climate we currently live in, and we fully understand and respect the government’s decision. We can’t thank the local organisers enough for the time and effort already spent on the event and promise to them that GAMMA will be back as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Upon being informed of the cancellation, GAMMA’s Ukrainian federation immediately stepped in with an offer to host the Championship in November, complete with a comprehensive plan for the event.
Details on the registration procedures will be announced in due course.
“We appreciate the support we have received from many of our European members, especially Ukraine, and it goes to show how strong our structures and federations are that they are not only willing but able to step in at a moment’s notice,” said Engelhardt.
“We are eager to start working with the Ukrainian team to give our European athletes the platform they deserve in November.”
