Author page: Dayo Dare

AKO 12 showdown at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos was exactly the kind of explosive, unforgettable fight night fans hoped for. The African Knockout Championship came through with nine high-profile bouts that showcased some of the continent’s best MMA talent, and when the dust…

Khabib Nurmagomedov has never been shy about his principles, and the UFC Hall of Famer believes modern MMA is drifting too far from what matters most. For Nurmagomedov, the sport should always come before entertainment no matter how big the promotion. Speaking at the…

Arman Tsarukyan may still be chasing UFC gold, but he isn’t sitting idle while the lightweight title picture plays out. With an interim belt fight booked for UFC 324 and his own path momentarily stalled, Tsarukyan chose action over frustration, stepping into a high-stakes grappling…

Henry Cejudo may be done with MMA, at least for now, but the competitive fire clearly hasn’t gone out. Just weeks after announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts, the Olympic gold medalist and former two-division UFC champion is already booked for his next challenge.…

Israel Adesanya isn’t done just yet, but he’s done fighting the same way. The former UFC middleweight champion has been away from the Octagon for nearly a year, last competing in February when Nassourdine Imavov stopped him via TKO at UFC Saudi Arabia. Since then,…

Daniel Cormier believes UFC fighters are about to benefit financially in a major way as the promotion prepares to launch its new era on Paramount. According to the former two-division champion, the money boost has already started. The UFC’s massive seven-year streaming deal with…

Ben Askren has never been short on grit, but the last six months tested him in ways no opponent ever could. The MMA and wrestling legend is now six months removed from a successful double lung transplant, and he’s taking a moment to reflect on…

Anthony Joshua’s deep ties to Nigeria have always been evident, but this week, the country became the backdrop for a frightening moment in the former heavyweight champion’s life. Born in Watford, England, Anthony Joshua has never shied away from his Nigerian roots. His family…

Israel Adesanya has shared plenty of history with Alex Pereira across multiple combat sports, but for “The Last Stylebender,” their rivalry was never about revenge. It was about self-belief. After losing twice to Pereira in kickboxing, Israel Adesanya suffered another setback when “Poatan” knocked…

2025 was another explosive year for MMA in Nigeria. From global champions to breakthrough international medalists and rising regional talents, African fighters are carving their names into MMA history with guts, grit, and championship-level performances. On this note, Afrocombat presents our ranking of the Top…