BALI, 01 OCTOBER 2025 – Mr. Tommy Paulus Hermawan was voted President of the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) by 58 members during its General Assembly in Bali, Indonesia, on Monday, September 29, 2025. He succeeds Alexander Engelhardt, who will take on the newly created role of Chair of the Executive Board. This transition forms part of structural reforms designed to further strengthen GAMMA’s leadership.
T.P. Hermawan, a young Indonesian entrepreneur, also serves as President of PERTACAMI, the National Federation of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Indonesia, where he has played a pivotal role in advancing the sport nationally. Under his leadership, PERTACAMI secured recognition from Indonesia’s National Olympic Committee and successfully hosted the GAMMA World Championships in Jakarta last December, welcoming more than 600 athletes from over 60 countries.
The General Assembly gathered delegates from 58 Member Federations, who approved a new Constitution that includes the relocation of GAMMA’s headquarters from the Netherlands to Switzerland and the creation of a Treasurer position. These reforms mark an important step forward in enhancing transparency, stability, and the international profile of the organisation.
In his first address as President, T.P. Hermawan paid tribute to Engelhardt’s dedicated leadership and the many milestones achieved during his tenure, calling them a solid foundation for the future. He also outlined his vision to advance GAMMA’s legitimacy as a globally recognised sport in harmony with Olympic values, while placing athlete welfare at the heart of the agenda through the establishment of a dedicated training and education centre.
“With the reforms approved today and the unity of our members, GAMMA is entering a new era. I am humbled by the trust placed in me and determined to continue our journey toward global recognition and athlete empowerment,” said T.P. Hermawan.
Engelhardt, reflecting on his new role, welcomed the transition: “I am proud of all that we have achieved to date and confident that, together with Tommy, GAMMA will reach new heights. As Chair of the Executive Board, I look forward to supporting this next chapter and ensuring our vision of a truly global, athlete-centred sport continues to thrive.”
Before the close of the General Assembly, T.P. Hermawan outlined his vision to elevate MMA to the next level through the creation of the GAMMA Arena and the establishment of a sustainable ecosystem for all Members. Delegates were also briefed on the inclusion of Cognitive Athletics within GAMMA, the ongoing recognition process for MMA with the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS), and the development plan for officials.
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