The African MMA League (AML 08) returned to the Centre Ivoiro-Coréen in Abidjan for its eighth edition, and over the course of three action-packed days, fans were treated to a festival of takedowns, explosive knockouts, and gritty battles. The event concluded on September 20, with a grand finale that crowned new champions and left the crowd on its feet.
In the main event, Salif Diakité captured the Heavyweight Championship with a dominant first-round finish over Issouf Koné. The bout started fast, with both men throwing heavy shots. Koné managed to drag the fight to the canvas, but Diakité reversed position into full mount. From there, he unleashed punishing ground-and-pound, forcing Koné into a desperate scramble. Seizing the opening, Diakité locked in a guillotine choke that ended the contest just seconds into the first round, a decisive statement victory that crowned him the new king of the heavyweight division.
Main Card
Salif Diakité def. Issouf Koné via round-one Submission/TKO (punches)
Dona Salim Zigui def. Steve Damon via round-three KO/TKO
Mathieu Aboya def. Abdoulaye Dembélé via Decision
Aboubacar Sanogo def. Cheick Kaboré via KO/TKO
Axel Iridjié def. Hamed Doumbia via Decision (Axel crowned champion)
Amadou Bah def. Rokibu Taofeek via Split Decision
Yacouba Saré def. Amara Bakayoko via round-one TKO (Ground & Pound)
Souleymane Sidibé def. Zakaria Kouakou via Decision
Drissa Soro def. Bouacar Sylla via Unanimous Decision
