MMAFI Mixed Martial Arts Federation, India proudly presented an Appreciation Trophy to Mr. Manish Gandhi, Founder of the International Health, Sports & Fitness Festival (IHFF), recognizing his outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of combat sports in India.
Following the successful execution of the National MMA Championship 2025, along with the Open Kickboxing and Open Grappling Championships at IHFF, the combat sports community was overwhelmingly impressed by the world-class infrastructure, professional management, and athlete-friendly environment created through the strong collaboration between IHFF and MMAFI.
On 8th January 2026, during a strategic meeting held at IHFF, MMAFI President Sensei Mayur Bansode and Referee Council Head Mr. Surendra Pandey formally honored Mr. Manish Gandhi with an Appreciation Trophy as a gesture of gratitude for his continuous support and commitment to building a unified platform for combat sports.
As part of their expanded collaboration for IHFF 2026, MMAFI and IHFF confirmed plans to introduce more competitive opportunities for MMA athletes, while continuing Kickboxing and Grappling events that were highly successful in 2025. In addition, Muay Thai and Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gi BJJ) are planned to be added, further strengthening IHFF’s position as a comprehensive combat sports destination in Asia.
This renewed partnership reflects a shared vision to elevate combat sports in India by fostering athlete development, maintaining international standards, and creating sustainable growth opportunities for athletes, coaches, and stakeholders.
