The first-ever mixed martial arts event has taken place in Timor-Leste ©GAMMA

Timor-Leste has held its first-ever mixed martial arts (MMA) events as its national MMA Championships took place in Baucau in East Timor.

The event featured six MMA bouts and five muaythai bouts.

Team Lafaek MMA, Tama Laka Muay Thai MMA, Team Liurai Muay Thai MMA, Team Natrura Muay Thai MMA, Team Assalaino Muaythai MMA all took part in the tournament.

The Championships were postponed twice due to COVID-19 restrictions in the country.

The tournament was organised to give the young athletes important experience competing at an event and also to allow them to have fun, it has been claimed by the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA).

GAMMA also claimed it shows the potential of the sport in the country.

The event aims to promote youth participation in MMA in Timor-Leste ©GAMMA
The event aims to promote youth participation in MMA in Timor-Leste ©GAMMA

"With one of GAMMA’s priorities being youth development, carefully planned tournaments which attract participants are crucial to athlete development," said GAMMA President Alexander Engelhardt.

"We are delighted and thankful that they have shown so much grit, resilience, and passion to make the Championships happen."

Sports director of Federeçao Muaythai Timor-Leste, Alberth Xavier, said: "In the future, we hope to have more events and teams participating. 

"We are working on improving the level of the coaches' skills in Timor-Leste so that we can have quality bouts from our athletes."