The new partnership will require all amateur athletes to register with Safe MMA and undergo annual medical examinations and blood testing protocols.
By taking part in these new measures, English amateur MMA athletes will meet the same standards required of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), with those standards imposed to protect athlete health, both inside and outside of competition.
Per a joint press release from Safe MMA and English MMA, Safe MMA is “widely recognised as a gold standard in athlete data management. Its systems record and monitor critical health metrics—including blood tests, eye exams, and brain scans—for mixed martial arts athletes. It also maintains a comprehensive concussion and medical suspension register, allowing event organisers to verify an athlete’s medical clearance before they are matched to compete.”
English MMA’s Paul Reed welcomed the new partnership between the two bodies, saying, “This partnership gives amateur EMMAA-affiliated MMA in England something it’s never had before: a centralised system for monitoring, managing, and educating around concussion and medical suspensions.
“It’s not just about compliance—it’s about care, recovery, and long-term wellbeing.”
The press release also revealed that registered athletes will also receive tailored educational resources and support to aid their recovery and ensure their safe return to competition.
The plan is for English MMA to mirror the standards and protocols of IMMAF, and roll out those new measures across all amateur events in the UK.
