IMMAF ’disappointed’ in Swedish MMA Federation, responds to ’unfounded allegations’

ASHAH TAFARI:

”Hello Mr. Brown and IMMAF,

My name is Ashah Tafari and I’m a combat sports reporter from Sweden representing news outlets Frontkick.online, MaximumSports.se, Käftsmällspodden and my own social media platforms Svensk MMA.

Yesterday, I digitally attended SMMAF:s extra annual meeting where a majority of attending members voted to formally leave and cut all ties with IMMAF and subsequently apply for membership in GAMMA instead.

During the meeting, SMMAF president and former honorary president of IMMAF, August Wallén, and former IMMAF vice president George Sallfeldt provided background from their point of view and insight to events that led to their decision to put this up for a vote, which was passed.

Now, I want to know more about what’s been going on here and not only get the critics’ side. Hence, I want to give IMMAF the opportunity to answer a couple of questions as well as providing additional comments and information as you see fit.

Keep in mind, I don’t have any horse in this race. But after months of hearing issues and complaints regarding IMMAF, I want to take a closer look at what’s been going on and at the same time making sure that I do so with a balanced approach. Most of my questions stems from concerns raised from SMMAF or Sallfeldt, where I now want to explore your side of those supposed issues.

1. What are IMMAF stance on Sweden leaving your federation and joining GAMMA?

2. It was stated that the UFC has stopped paying out the annual $1 million dollars due to concerns regarding transparency and bookkeeping. Is this true? Does the IMMAF still have any partnership with the UFC and if so, what is the nature of your agreement today?

3. George Sallfeldt, essentially a co-founder to IMMAF alongside August Wallen, was denied access to the books. Why was the sitting vice president denied this?

4. A vote to investigate IMMAF’s finances was passed but later tossed according to Sallfeldt, who was then ousted from IMMAF. Does the IMMAF have something to hide? Why fight against transparency in this matter?

5. It’s been said that IMMAF was basically broke following the Words in Serbia. Is this true and if so, how could that have happened while getting millions of dollar from the UFC and even getting an advance the year before?

6. SMMAF is not the only federation to raise concerns over IMMAF and looking elsewhere. Ricky Wright of Wales has been a vocal critic too despite MCing earlier events. Do you at all reflect about potential mismanagement of IMMAF driving federations away? Does IMMAF recognize any of the issues put forward and do you have some sort of action plan in place to clean up your organization? Or is it all just a big hoax in your mind from people speaking out for personal reasons?

7. What is your comment on safeguarding issues as you are essentially accusing of hiding the fact that IMMAF let a convicted child rapist coach a youth championship? Did you do anything wrong and what steps if any have been taken to prevent a similar incident in the future?

8. Has IMMAF been doing what you’re supposed to as the premier international MMA federation? What do you want to say to members still supporting you, and others considering leaving?

Thanks,
Ashah Tafari”

DENSIGN WHITE:

”Dear Mr Tafari,
Thank you for your email. We are disappointed with the decision taken by the SMMAF to terminate their membership of IMMAF. Our main concern is for the negative impact that this will have on their athletes. However the decision has been made and we wish them well in their new home of GAMMA.
Last year in June 2023 the IMMAF membership in an EGM voted unanimously to remove August Wallen and George Sallsfeldt from the IMMAF, so upset were they that these two individuals would undermine the leadership and the federation with unfounded allegations in public.
The bottom line is this, August and George and others were attempting a takeover of IMMAF and they failed. They failed because the vast majority of our members know who has been doing the work in IMMAF the past 10 years and it was not them.
You can find the minutes from that meeting on the IMMAF website as well as the IMMAF safeguarding policy that you asked about.
There is nothing further that we would like to add except to say that IMMAF is a democratic and transparent organisation and I would challenge you to find another international federation that has a better record than we do in this regard.
Regards
Densign”