ITA and GAMMA renew commitment to fair play in Mixed Martial Arts

Since the inception of the partnership in 2020, the first for MMA, the ITA and GAMMA have worked diligently to create a transparent and accountable framework for anti-doping efforts in the sport. This renewed agreement ensures that this joint mission to promote fair play and clean competition will continue to thrive. Now GAMMA has renewed its contract with the ITA until the end of 2025. 

The ITA will maintain its supporting role in GAMMA’s anti-doping program. This includes conducting anti-doping activities based on a comprehensive risk assessment tailored to the unique demands of mixed martial arts that is applied by the ITA for all organisations representing the sport, implementing intelligence-led in-competition testing, as well as the independent handling of results management. The ITA’s responsibilities also extend to handling Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) and delivering targeted educational programs designed to foster a culture of clean sport among MMA athletes. 

GAMMA athletes, athlete support personnel, officials and all other persons involved in MMA now also have the opportunity to signal any suspicions or potential anti-doping rule violations via the ITA’s proactive reporting platform REVEAL. 

“Our continued collaboration with GAMMA underscores the ITA’s unwavering dedication to the integrity of the sport and athletes they represent,” said ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen. “We are committed to providing GAMMA with the expertise and independence necessary to sustain an effective anti-doping program. This renewal highlights our shared resolve to protect athletes’ rights and ensure a level playing field. Through our collaboration with more than 12 martial arts and combat sports, the ITA has unique expertise in the implementation of anti-doping programs for these disciplines. We call on all combat sports that are not yet working with us to join forces with the ITA to harmonise anti-doping efforts for their athletes worldwide.” 

GAMMA President Alexander Engelhardt expressed his support for the ongoing partnership: quote: “GAMMA prioritises integrity and respect in sport. This renewed partnership with ITA is driven by our commitment to these core values, without which competitiveness and fair play cannot thrive, and the whole purpose of sport is undermined. We look forward to continuing to work with the ITA in implementing world-class governance standards in anti-doping.” 

Although it is currently not a World Anti-Doping Code Signatory, GAMMA is working to achieve signatory status. Thus, GAMMA remains dedicated to aligning its anti-doping policies with the standards set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The ITA will continue to support GAMMA in ensuring compliance with WADA regulations, fostering an environment where athletes can compete fairly and are protected from doping.