Podgorica hosts amateur MMA rules seminar and the first National AMMA Championship

On 20 and 21 June 2026, Podgorica hosted a seminar on the rules of amateur MMA (AMMA), organized by the Wrestling Federation of Montenegro with the support of United World Wrestling (UWW), which arranged for licensed international lecturer Bernd Kornmaier to attend the educational program.

The seminar brought together future amateur MMA referees and coaches from Montenegro, with the goal of providing the knowledge required for the proper application of UWW rules and for the further development of this sport in the country. Over the two-day program, participants were introduced to both the theoretical and practical aspects of officiating and managing amateur MMA competitions.

The first day of the seminar was dedicated to the theoretical part of the program, covering key UWW regulations, refereeing procedures, competition safety aspects and the role of officials in organizing MMA events. The second day focused on practical work, simulations of competition situations and the application of acquired knowledge through concrete examples from practice.

A special quality was added to the seminar by Bernd Kornmaier, one of the most experienced experts in MMA officiating. During his rich career, he has served as a referee and official at numerous international competitions and events at different levels, from amateur to professional MMA. His experience, expertise and willingness to share his knowledge were of exceptional value to all seminar participants.

After the educational part of the program was completed, the first National Amateur MMA Championship organized by the Wrestling Federation of Montenegro was held in accordance with United World Wrestling rules. In addition to its sporting significance, the competition also represented an important practical segment of the seminar, because the newly trained referees had the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real competition conditions and gain valuable first-hand experience.

An additional international dimension was given to this activity by the visit of the Croatian delegation, led by Željko Banić, President of the Croatian MMA Federation, who attended the seminar together with his associates. Three experienced referees from Croatia also took part in the seminar, making additional exchange of experience possible and laying the groundwork for future regional cooperation in the development of amateur MMA.

The competition itself unfolded in an exceptionally fair, sporting and friendly atmosphere. The audience had the opportunity to watch a large number of quality and attractive bouts, while the competitors demonstrated a high level of commitment, discipline and sportsmanship. Even at this first championship, several very promising fighters could already be identified, indicating a successful future on both the domestic and international scene.

By organizing this seminar and the first national championship, a significant step was made in establishing and developing the amateur MMA system in Montenegro in line with the standards of United World Wrestling. The education of professional staff, the training of referees and coaches, and the organization of competitions under internationally recognized rules all represent an important foundation for the further growth and improvement of this sport.

On this occasion, the Wrestling Federation of Montenegro extends sincere gratitude to Bernd Kornmaier for his exceptionally high-quality, expert and informative lectures, as well as for generously sharing his knowledge and rich international experience. Special thanks also go to United World Wrestling (UWW), which recognized the importance of this activity for the development of amateur MMA in Montenegro and provided significant support for its realization.

Gratitude is also extended to the delegation of the Croatian MMA Federation for its visit, exchange of experience and the beginning of cooperation that, we are convinced, will contribute to the further progress of MMA in the region. We also thank all seminar participants, competitors, coaches, referees, clubs and friends of sport whose presence and support contributed to the successful realization of this important event.

The Wrestling Federation of Montenegro will continue to invest efforts in the development of amateur MMA in accordance with UWW standards, with the goal of creating a high-quality system of competition, education and international cooperation that will enable Montenegrin athletes to continue progressing and achieve successful performances on the international stage.