Fighter Associations

Fighting associations exist in a variety of sports, including boxing, karate and mixed martial arts. These national and international associations support their respective sports through promotion, creation of rules and regulations and providing of legal counsel. These sports associations are also involved in tournaments, rankings and training of fighters of all ages.

  1. Mixed Marial Arts

    • The Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMAA) was founded in 1993 with a mission to aid artists and fans in promoting amateur MMA programs. The AMMAA features various MMA-related exercises, workouts and self-defense. The Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association (MMAFA), comprised of professional mixed martial artists and trainers, is directed by its members, similar to the Screen Actors Guild and Major League Baseball Players Association. Organization members elect their directors. The MMAFA uses its brand as a media platform to promote members and merchandises its brand to improve the MMAFA's revenue base. It also supports members through lobbying and legal support of mixed martial arts-related issues.

    Boxing

    • Boxing has associations for professional and amateur athletes. The World Boxing Association strives to provide loyalty and ethics as driving principles for its members by regulating the sport and providing rules and bylaws to its boxers, trainers and administrators. The WBA also oversees its professional rankings and title fights. Other similar professional organizations include the International Boxing Federation/United States Boxing Association (IBF/USBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC). The IBF/USBA was created in the 1970s; the WBC was formed in the 1960s. USA Boxing is the national governing body for amateur boxing. It oversees Olympic-style boxing and is a member of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA). USA Boxing administers and develops the sport through clinics and training camps.

    Kickboxing

    • The International Kickboxing Association (IKA) was established in 2000 and serves as the sanctioning body for professional kickboxing. Headquartered in London, the IKA has offices throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The IKA links athletes and promoters, and facilitates novice and professional kickboxers through preliminary training.The IKA sanctions events, enforces the sport's rules and markets its athletes to television audiences across the globe.

    Karate

    • The International Karate Association (a second IKA acronym) was formed in Japan in 1953. Its primary goal is to grow traditional Japanese karate. This includes the hard-and-fast style of the Gosoku Ryu. In 1964, the IKA relocated its headquarters to the United States in an effort to grow the sport. As of 2011, the IKA is based in Glendale, California. The association sanctions tournaments, assists in the development of children in the sport and oversees belt rankings and certifications.