A BRADFORD World and European medal-winning fighter has been given a key coaching and development role by the UK mixed martial arts federation (UKMMAF).

Joanne Doyle, who trains at Team Fulinkazan in the city centre, has been appointed as UKMMAF Ladies head coach.

The role will require to her meet and train with female fighters throughout the UK. She will also work with other UKMMAF coaches to select fighters for major championships.

Doyle will continue her own training to fight at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation’s (IMMAF) Asian Open in China, this September.

Following that, she will focus on coaching the female team, preparing for the November 2018 IMMAF World Championships in Bahrain.

Her work began recently when she attended the Northern and Southern area trials in Stockport and Bury St Edmunds.

A large group of male and female amateur MMA fighters attended. Doyle worked closely with the female groups.

“I am delighted to be asked to fulfill this important role with the UK mixed martial arts federation,” commented Doyle.

“It was a fantastic time at the trials. We had a group of talented female fighters on the mat and I am excited to be building the female team for the IMMAF World Championships, later this year.”

Doyle recently won her third medal in international competition, as part of the UKMMAF team.

She reached the bantamweight final at the 2018 IMMAF European Championships in Romania. She brought home silver after a tough final against Swedish fighter, Frida Vastamaki.

Doyle, whose coaches include Team Fulinkazan founder and head coach Mark Spencer, as well as her husband James, also won the featherweight (65.8kg) gold medal at IMMAF’s 2016 European Championships.

She added a bronze too at bantamweight (61.2kg), at the federation’s 2017 World Championships.

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation is the international governing body for the sport of MMA and its 2018 World Championships will be held in Bahrain from November 11-18.

The event will take place at the Khalifa Sport City Arena and it has the backing of the Bahrain Olympic Committee.

The 2017 World IMMAF Championships broke participation records, with close to 250 athletes representing 48 competing nations.

Meanwhile, the 2018 event has the potential to double participation due to the anticipated expansion of IMMAF over the next six months.