[OSEN=Woo Choong-won Reporter] A meaningful milestone has been set in the history of Korean mixed martial arts. The Korea MMA General Association has been officially recognized as an associate member of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, marking the full-scale entry of MMA into institutionalized sports.
The Korea MMA General Association, led by Chairman Jeong Munhong, the current president of Road FC, announced on the 16th that it received formal approval for associate membership in the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. The association was established to promote the development of MMA in Korea and nurture athletes.
Notably, the Korea MMA General Association has been active as a member organization of the Asian MMA Association (AMMA) under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), consistently working toward the adoption of MMA as an official event in the Asian Games.
The efforts finally bore fruit. Mixed martial arts will be included as an official event for the first time at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, set to open in September. Korean MMA has also reached a new turning point.
With its associate membership in the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, the Korea MMA General Association plans to accelerate preparations for selecting national representatives and dispatching teams to international competitions. In particular, the association aims to form a competitive team for the upcoming Asian Games and challenge for gold medals.
Domestic MMA has long been perceived as somewhat distant from institutionalized sports. However, it has gradually expanded its presence through the expansion of its athlete pool, strengthened international competitiveness, and consistent box-office success. Recently, Korean fighters have gained prominence in the UFC and global stages, significantly raising the sport’s recognition and interest.
Chairman Jeong Munhong emphasized the significance of the milestone.
“It has been over 20 years since MMA took its first steps in South Korea,” Chairman Jeong said. “I express deep respect and gratitude to the leaders, first-generation fighters, and current athletes who have overcome prejudice and difficulties to protect Korean MMA.”
He added, “MMA has finally been adopted as an official event for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, writing a new history. With a strong sense of responsibility, I will do my best for the development, unity, and future of Korean MMA athletes.” / [email protected]