{"id":429090,"date":"2026-01-23T23:59:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T23:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/429090\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T23:59:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T23:59:09","slug":"arizona-boxing-mma-gets-new-executive-director","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/429090\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Boxing & MMA Gets New Executive Director"},"content":{"rendered":"

Text to Speech audio articles made possible on the CAST11.com podcast network by Fain Signature Group.<\/p>\n

The Arizona Department of Gaming (Department) today announced that it has appointed Juan Carlos Estrada as Executive Director, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (BMMA). A long time employee of the Department with roles spanning regulation and operations, including for high-profile boxing and mixed martial arts events and activities, Estrada will now serve as Executive Director of BMMA and will also continue to hold the position of Assistant Director of BMMA and Racing.\n<\/p>\n

\"boxing\n<\/p>\n

The Department\u2019s Division of Boxing and MMA supports the Arizona State Boxing and MMA Commission in its regulation of unarmed combat sporting events taking place in Arizona, including licensing fighters, referees, judges, inspectors, and physicians. The Commission licensed over 1,027 fighters, promoters, and event officials in Fiscal Year 2025, while overseeing 28 events, including nine events that were also televised worldwide.<\/p>\n

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\u201cOver the past decade, Juan Carlos Estrada has served in various capacities regulating the unarmed combat sports industry in Arizona supervising hundreds of boxing, mixed martial arts and muay thai events,\u201d said Jackie Johnson, Director, Arizona Department of Gaming. \u201cHe has earned a reputation for a balanced and transparent approach as a state regulator, and I\u2019m thrilled to congratulate him on this milestone.\u201d<\/p>\n

With past roles since 2004 including Investigator, Racing Steward, and Employee Certification Unit Supervisor, Estrada has continued to work collaboratively and across divisions to promote fair and effective regulation. In the Executive Director position, he will serve as the direct liaison between the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission and the Department, and will lead all responsibilities and initiatives with respect to unarmed combat sports \u2013 ensuring the health and safety of participants and enforcing applicable laws and rules.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m humbled to accept my appointment as the Executive Director of Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts,\u201d said Estrada. \u201cI want to sincerely thank the promoters, athletes, officials, and my colleagues for the trust and confidence they have given me over the years. I\u2019m looking forward to continuing to serve the public while ensuring that contests are safe, fair, and regulated.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Native Arizonan, Estrada has given back to his community by volunteering for the City of Phoenix Police and Fire departments while continuing his leadership at the Department and attaining professional development in the industry. His experience includes working with organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), King of the Cage, Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), and numerous regional and local promotions.\n<\/p>\n

To learn more about state regulated unarmed combat sports in Arizona, visit gaming.az.gov\/boxing<\/a> and to learn more about the Arizona State Boxing and MMA Commission, click here.\n<\/p>\n

Read more stories in Sports<\/a>\u00a0on Signals A Z.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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