Georgia wins the first World MMA Championship

Georgian sportsman Nodar Kudukhashvili (84 kg) won the first official World Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Championship. The tournament was held in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, October 19-20. Another Georgian athlete Archil Taziashvili (56 kg) received a bronze medal.

There were more than 100 sportsmen from 35 countries participating in the championship. After three tensed rounds, Kudukhashvili beat Shamil Abdulob (Russia) in the final.

The winners were given their belts by the 4 times world MMA champion Fedor Emelianenko.

"Because of the lack of finances, our teams participation in the championship was undecided till the last minute, Mamuka Mamulashvili, president of MMA Federation of Georgia, said.

According to the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia, MMA is not among the prioritized sports; thats why it is not financed properly.