UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin joins IMMAF Athletes’ Commission
UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin has accepted an invitation to join the Athletes’ Commission of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (MMA).
Forrest Griffin commented: “I believe the IMMAF’s mission is to spread the best practices and love for training and competing in MMA to as wide and diverse a group as possible, while keeping the athletes’ wellbeing at its core. The IMMAF has shown the power that MMA has to break barriers, be they geographical, socioeconomic or cultural and unite us in the most engaging sport in the world.”
IMMAF is the only legitimate, global governing body for amateur and recreational mixed martial arts, founded in 2012 to further the development, recognition and regulation of the sport, with the vision of seeing it into the Olympic Games. With a seven-year track record of organising international, nations championships and developing the sport globally, IMMAF’s membership today includes 120 National Federations worldwide with National Olympic Committee recognition in almost 50 countries. IMMAF has advanced programmes for the education and certification of MMA coaches, referees and other technical officials, as well as Youth Development and is supported by the UFC®.
The role of the IMMAF Athletes’ Commission is to ensure that an athlete viewpoint is at the heart of all policy decisions relating to competitors. Commission members are encouraged to use the platform to drive new initiatives and opportunities for MMA’s participants.
Forrest Griffin, 43, rose to prominence in 2005 as winner of the UFC’s inaugural season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series, after battling through an iconic final collision against TUF rival Stephan Bonnar. Griffin went on to win the UFC light-heavyweight world championship from Quinton Jackson in 2008 following a career defining submission victory over legendary Brazilian, Mauricio Rua. Griffin announced his retirement from MMA competition in 2013 and the Hall of Fame inductee is now based in Las Vegas as Vice-President of Athlete Development at the UFC Performance Institute.
Former IMMAF heavyweight world champion and current Athletes’ Commission chairman, Irman Smajic, stated: “We are here to represent all athletes under the global IMMAF banner by connecting athletes with a platform that can give them a voice. It means a lot to have such a legend join us who can help that voice to carry further and demonstrate our commitment to link the past with the future, in order to learn and progress together.”
Member Development Consultant and Athlete Commission Liaison, Jorden Curran, stated: “We are honoured and excited to have Forrest accept the invitation. Forrest is a veteran who has seen and done it all in his competitive career and has remained close to new developments as the sport evolves. Such unique experience can be of high value in athlete related matters and developments within IMMAF. I believe Forrest will have a highly motivating effect on our team and his interest in learning more about grass roots sport development and youth engagement is truly exciting to hear.”
