SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – The city of Sao Paulo has successfully concluded the 5th GAMMA World MMA Championships 2025, which took place from June 16 to 22. As a historic heartland of combat sports, Brazil provided a spectacular backdrop for hundreds of amateur athletes representing over 80 nations, all vying for gold on the world’s most prestigious amateur MMA stage.
Organized by the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), the tournament featured elite competition across two primary categories: U18 (Junior) and Senior, with disciplines including both Traditional MMA and Striking MMA.
A Global Shift in Power
The 2025 edition marked one of the most competitive years in the organization's history. While powerhouse nations such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the host nation Brazil continued to dominate the middleweight and heavyweight divisions, the tournament saw a significant rise in talent from emerging regions.
Notably, Southeast Asian nations—led by a breakout performance from Indonesia—and several African delegations proved that the gap in technical skill is closing rapidly. This year’s championship demonstrated that the "new wave" of MMA talent is no longer confined to traditional strongholds.
Key Highlights: Safety and Olympic Ambitions
GAMMA continues to lead the charge in professionalizing amateur MMA with a clear vision toward Olympic recognition. Key takeaways from the Sao Paulo event included:
- Enhanced Safety Protocols: The implementation of advanced protective gear for the U18 divisions ensured high-level competition while prioritizing the long-term health of young athletes.
- Technical Excellence: Scouts and analysts noted a sophisticated level of grappling and striking transitions, reflecting the improved quality of coaching worldwide.
- Inclusivity in Sport: The women’s divisions saw record-breaking participation, with particularly fierce competition in the strawweight and flyweight categories.
As the curtain falls on Brazil, the global MMA community now looks ahead to 2026, with several nations in Asia and Europe already bidding to host the next installment of this prestigious global event.