The grandiose celebration will take place in the capital's Palace of Sports and will be a joint measure of the international GAMMA federation and the Ukrainian federation UF MMA. The best fighters of Europe will come to compete in Kiev, who will determine champions in 16 weight categories (9 for men and 7 for women).
In addition to the classic MMA championship, the European championship in MMA striking will be held for the first time - this is a new discipline that has successfully proven itself at the Asian championship and is confidently gaining popularity. MMA striking is considered to be a more striking form, differing in that the fighters actually work only in a stance. Wrestling on the ground is allowed, but you can stay there for no longer than 30 seconds, which attracts spectators with the dynamics of the fight in a standing position.
Consequently, there will be 16 weight categories in both disciplines at the tournament in Kiev.
The Ukrainian national team at the European Championship will be represented by 32 strongest athletes, including World Champions 2019 Valentina Semal (weight category up to 47 kg) and Roman Syrkin (up to 52 kg). Our team is considered one of the most powerful on the continent. In 2018, at the European Championship, the Ukrainians took the 2nd team place, having received 1 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze medals. And already in 2019, our team became the first at the World Championship (5 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze).
Among the participants in the championship are also the national teams of Ireland, Italy, Spain, Latvia, Slovakia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, France, Czech Republic, Poland, Turkey, Moldova and Belarus.
On November 5 and 6, the guests of the European Championship are expected to attend conferences, including from the international doping testing agency ITA, which will work with MMA for the first time, and will hold such an event for the first time in Ukraine. ITA has tested athletes at the last Olympic and Paralympic Games, and now in Kiev, she will share information with everyone who wants to work methods and give advice to the athletes themselves. The conference will be broadcast via YouTube to the whole world, and viewers from anywhere in the world will be able to watch all the battles that will take place on November 7-9 live. And the best moments of the tournament will be shown on their screens by the Eurosport TV channel.
On the 7th and 8th, fights will take place in three rings at the same time. But on November 9, when the final fights are scheduled, the organizers decided to leave one ring so that the attention of the audience would not be scattered at key fights. A real show is being prepared for the fans. And in order for everyone to be able to fully enjoy it, the entrance to the stands of the Sports Palace will be free. Note also that the current European Championship is a selection for the World Championship, which will take place in December in Berlin, Germany.
Vladimir Teslya, President of UF MMA:
- Our federation has made a lot of efforts to ensure that the European Championship is held in Ukraine, which is hosting the continental championship for the first time. This fact alone is worth giving all the best. I am sure it will be unforgettable emotions. We will do our best to make our championship memorable for a long time.