From 14th to 16th May, MMA-SFI conducted a two-day AMMA officiating seminar at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini aimed at training Indian referees and judges under the official AMMA (Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association) ruleset. The seminar was led by senior officials from Singapore Mr.Nieng Khai Tsan, Ms.Yu Fen May Ooi and Ms.Zihui Huang who were specially invited to guide Indian officials through AMMA’s standards for refereeing and judging.

The training covered both in-depth theory and hands-on practical sessions, helping officials understand and apply a ruleset that is different from the commonly followed unified rules. For many participants this was a first-time exposure to AMMA’s system and the experience was both challenging and enriching.
The Singapore team was thorough, approachable and highly professional, taking the time to clarify doubts, explain detailed scenarios and ensure every official felt confident and prepared.

A total of 25 Indian officials passed the assessments and were awarded MMA-SFI Official Certificates. In recognition of outstanding performance, three officials-Jitendra Khare, Prachiti Nagpurkar and Deepak Patil were also awarded the International ‘C’ Grade Officiating Certificate by AMMA. These newly certified officials then officiated the MMA-SFI National Championship 2025 from 16th to 18th May applying what they had learned under the supervision of the Singapore instructors. The nationals were conducted entirely under AMMA rules, and the transition was smooth, fair, and well-executed. The Singapore team remained present throughout the championship to oversee and ensure strict adherence to AMMA standards.

This preparation is not just about national growth, it’s aligned with what lies ahead. The AMMA ruleset will be followed at the Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain as well as the Asian Olympic Games 2026 in Japan making this training crucial for Indian officials who aim to operate at the highest levels of the sport. With initiatives like this, MMA-SFI continues to strengthen the foundation of Indian MMA by building a system where athletes and officials are prepared, certified and competitive on the international stage.