WAMMA
From CageWiki
The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) is a sanctioning organization for professional mixed martial arts. WAMMA lists its goals as "promoting the integrity, legitimacy and longevity of mixed martial arts" through unified rule sets and rankings. The organization's logo is "One Belt One King."
WAMMA's goals are to invest in the sport of MMA by way of contributions to a fighter pension fund, insurance programs for fighters, financial education seminars, and referee and judge training. Unlike traditional "sanctioning bodies" WAMMA does not charge a sanctioning fee to promoters and does not place a tax on a fighter's purse. WAMMA also outsources its rankings to an independent ranking board composed of over 20 prominent MMA journalists.
It is headed by CEO Dave Szady, a former 33-year veteran of the FBI, COO Michael Lynch, former attorney with the nationally recognized plaintiff's firm Levin, Papantonio, and VP of Fighter and Promoter Relations Pat Miletich, a former five-time UFC champion.
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History
The WAMMA was announced on November 15, 2007 at a press conference held in Gallager's Steak House, New York, given by Michael Lynch, Fred Levin, Kay Stephenson, Dave Szady.
Recent Events
On June 14, 2008, it was announced that the fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Tim Sylvia at Affliction: Banned would be for the newly created WAMMA Heavyweight Title. Emelianenko defeated Sylvia via rear-naked choke submission at 0:36 of the first round, and became the first WAMMA Heavyweight champion. The crowning of Emelianenko as the first WAMMA champion has been reported in the media as gaining WAMMA increased legitimacy in the eyes of MMA fans and organizations worldwide, as Emelianenko is widely considered the best heavyweight fighter in the world.
On December 29, 2008, it was announced that the Shinya Aoki vs. Eddie Alvarez fight at Dynamite!! 2008 would be for the vacant WAMMA Lightweight Championship. As a result of the fight, Shinya Aoki became the first-ever undisputed Lightweight champion in World Alliance Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) history by defeating Eddie Alvarez via heel hook submission at 1:32 of the first round.
The January 24, 2009, Affliction: Day of Reckoning fight card was headlined by a WAMMA Championship fight between reigning WAMMA Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski. Emelianenko defeated Arlovski via KO at 3:14 of the first round.
Challenges
Seeking to unify rule sets and rankings, WAMMA requires unified consensus or acceptance of its legitimacy. As UFC is dominant in the sport and therefore WAMMA's chief competitor, it has not volunteered its recognition of WAMMAs legitimacy. Without the UFC's recognition, much of WAMMA's goals are difficult, as they are lacking a large portion of the sport. Promotions such as Affliction, Adrenaline MMA, StrikeForce, Dream, K-1 and M1 have all worked with WAMMA or expressed an interest in cooperating for undisputed, unified titles. WAMMA states that the UFC has not expressed interest in cross-promotion of any sort.
Another significant challenge to the goal of WAMMA to unify the varied rulesets is the differing rules used between countries and within the United States. The UFC adopted the the "Unified Rules", created by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) and New Jersey State Athletic Commission (NJSAC). Then the Association of Boxing Commissioners (ABC), along with members of the NJSAC and the CSAC, proposed a new rule set that changed weight classes, gave a clearer definition of the "back of the head", clarified other illegal strikes, and banned tactics such as smothering. The UFC said it will not adopt the changes. Although New Jersey's athletic commission was present at the ABC's meeting in Montreal and supported the rule changes, it opposed the rule set because of the weight classes. The NJSAC also opposed the rule set because California, Nevada, and Florida's athletic commissions would have to accept the changes to keep the rules unified.
Current Champions
Heavyweight (205lbs +) - Fedor Emelianenko
Light Heavyweight (205lbs) - Vacant
Middleweight (185lbs) - Vacant
Welterweight (170lbs) - Vacant
Lightweight(155lbs) - Shinya Aoki
Featherweight (145lbs) - Vacant
Bantamweight (135lbs) - Vacant
