The IMMAF has revealed how many athletes made it to the provisional list for the 2022 World Youth Championships ©IMMAF

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has announced the provisional list of the national teams and their athletes due to compete at its 2022 Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

A total of 498 athletes from 41 nations have registered to compete, which is a substantial rise from last year’s event.

The 2021 edition saw 331 competitors from 23 nations travel to Bulgaria.

A rise in quality is also expected with the minimum technical level required for 14 to 17-year-olds set at the "orange" grade while "yellow" is due to remain for the 12 to 13-year-olds.

There are three youth tournaments with Youth C containing 12 to 13-year-olds, Youth B including 14 to 15-year-olds and Youth A comprising of 16 to 17-year-olds.

These groups are determined through the IMMAF Youth Mixed Martial Arts Rules and have been modified from the Unified Rules.

It is to ensure that each age group is properly cared for.

The IMMAF does not allow head strikes for athletes under the age of 18.

The competition is due to be staged between August 17 and 20 at the Jiu Jitsu Arena.