IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said statutes changes would help towards Olympic recognition ©IMMAF

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation's (IMMAF) National Federations have approved changes to the governing body's statutes at a virtual Extraordinary General Assembly today.

Changes had been put forward for members to vote on following a recent independent review, which called for reform from IMMAF to ensure good governance.

Among the alterations approved are the requirement for Annual General Meetings, staggered, four-year terms for a maximum of two terms for Board of Directors, athlete representation on the Board and a target of 30 per cent female representation on the Board.

It also approved IMMAF's move to becoming a Swiss entity, with its headquarters now in Lausanne.

In 2020, IMMAF relocated from Sweden to Switzerland and required Swiss auditors as a result.

PricewaterhouseCoopers were approved as Swiss auditors for the organisations at the General Assembly.

Motions to change the IMMAF statutes passed with 55 approvals from a total of 61 votes.

Two votes were against the change, two were abstentions and two were discounted by scrutineers.

Athlete representation on the IMMAF Board is now set to be guaranteed under new statutes ©IMMAF
Athlete representation on the IMMAF Board is now set to be guaranteed under new statutes ©IMMAF

The motion to appoint Swiss auditors was approved by 57 votes with two abstentions.

All 61 full members with voting rights attended the General Assembly, while observational members were also in attendance.

Independent consultants Denis Rowan and Geoff Wilson acted as scrutineers.

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown commended the ongoing work of the National Federations during the COVID-19 pandemic while explaining the importance of the changes.

The IMMAF is still battling to gain recognition from the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

"The changes to the statutes that we are implementing today strengthen IMMAF as an organisation through ensuring its processes and procedures adhere to the best standards in good governance and meet the criteria of the International Olympic Committee as we seek to eventually become an Olympic sport," said Brown.

"In applying to the World Anti-Doping Agency and to the GAISF, we want to demonstrate that we are setting a benchmark for a gold standard in good governance as we continue to work to change perceptions of our sport.

"Our strengthened foundation will contribute to the legacy we are creating for MMA's youth."