The Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF) announced that it will host a national amateur MMA championship in Lagos, Nigeria.
The tournament is set to take place on September 15 in collaboration with the African Fighting Championship (AFC). The championship will provide fighters from all backgrounds with an opportunity to compete and test their skills against opponents from different parts of the country.
The founder of the AFC World Series, the first private African MMA promotion, described the event as a historic move for the sport in Nigeria.
“As an individual, I have always wanted to follow the footsteps of my grandfather, Ansani, who was a renowned trader in Nigeria. I want to contribute to sports and entertainment development. That inspired me to introduce this idea, tagged the ‘Next Contenders Programme and Beyond,’” Aswani said.
Technical Director of the NMMAF, Victor Akhimien, said the federation is putting structures in place to ensure that the rules of the sport are strictly adhered to. He noted that this would accelerate the growth of mixed martial arts in Nigeria in line with global standards.
“The Federation has been working closely with a lot of organisations, and EFCC has proven to be one we can regard as a role model for what partnership with a federation should be,” Akhimien said. “It is an open platform where athletes from different sports and locations across the country attend our seminars to sharpen their tools and get familiar with the techniques used in amateur MMA.”
Beyond the fights, the program will feature seminars designed to upgrade the knowledge of coaches, referees, and officials involved in the sport.
“The event will also help define talent who can rise to become national champions. It will also be an avenue for the AFC to identify and create a pathway for amateur athletes who want to turn professional,” Akhimien added.
NMMAF President Henry George emphasized that the rules must be strictly adhered to, confirming that a ranking system will be introduced after the tournament. He also noted that athletes would need a minimum of 10 fights before turning professional, with medical, regulatory, and safety standards strictly maintained.
AFC founder Aswani added that there will be prizes for winners in all divisions. He revealed that champions in Lagos will receive medals directly from the NSC Chairman and the Director General.
