Xavier Cornelius, the South African National Featherweight Mixed Martial Arts Champion, has opened a Backabuddy account to raise funds to compete at the IMMAF 2026 World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. The tournament runs from 1 to 7 November.

The road to Georgia

Xavier is a young mixed martial arts fighter who competes in the junior category, for athletes aged 18 to 21. The team plans to leave around 28 October and return on 8 November, requiring 11 nights of accommodation in Georgia.

The IMMAF World Championships bring together amateur MMA fighters from around the world. As an amateur league, fighters must raise their own funds for travel and competition costs. There is no official financial support from the organisation. Every expense, from entry fees to flights and accommodation, must be covered by the fighters and their supporters.

Xavier trains at a local gym and has a letter from MMA confirming his place on the national team.

Breaking down the costs

Xavier’s mother Chantal Cornelius said that the breakdown of costs is nearly R300 000, which includes flights, meals and accommodation for five people — Xavier, a coach and three supporters — as well as contender entry fees and medicals.

Cornelius said that the family had been advised to not let Xavier, who is 19 and travelling abroad for the first time, travel alone.

Cornelius said that at the bare minimum, the family would like Xavier at least to be accompanied by his coach.

Xavier says registration alone costs 650 euros, which the team was not initially aware of when they started planning. The cheapest flight ticket to Georgia is about R15 000, though prices tend to rise closer to departure.

Community support and fundraising efforts

Cornelius said the mayoral fund has already donated R10 000 towards the trip and the Raven Report has donated R1 000, but the family still have a long way to go in a short time. How you can help:

To support Xavier, visit the BackaBuddy campaign.

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