The Executive Board of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), in its meeting held in Harbin, China, unanimously approved the inclusion of mixed martial arts in the official program of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. The 20th edition of the Asian Games, scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4, 2026, will feature four weight categories for men and two for women.
According to the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA), this decision reflects the rapid global expansion of mixed martial arts and provides Asian athletes with an opportunity to represent their nations on an international platform, enhance their skills, and achieve new milestones in the sport.
The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games will see athletes from 48 countries competing across 41 sports. Additionally, four new medal events in e-sports, alongside mixed martial arts, will bring the total number of medal events to 11.
Furthermore, mixed martial arts has been incorporated into the program of the 3rd Asian Youth Games, scheduled to take place in Bahrain from October 22 to 31, 2025. Young athletes aged 14 to 17 will compete, showcasing their strength, skill, and agility on a continental stage.
