Lagos: No fewer than 100 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights will feature in this year’s AFC World Series Championships, scheduled for Sept. 11-Sept. 14 in Lagos. The championship, sanctioned by the Nigerian MMA Federation, marks a historic milestone for the sport’s growth in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the AFC World Series, founded by entrepreneur Raad Aswani, is the first private African promotion officially recognized as a continental ranking and scoring platform for MMA. The fights are endorsed by the Nigerian MMA Federation (NMMAF), National Sports Commission (NSC), Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), and the African MMA Confederation (AMMAC).
Aswani stated that this milestone firmly positions Africa on the global combat sports map, with Nigeria poised to play a defining role in shaping its future. Aswani expressed his desire to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Ansani, a renowned trader in Nigeria, by contributing to sports and entertainment development through the ‘Next Contenders Programme and Beyond’.
According to him, AFC is rewriting African combat sports by creating champions inside the cage while nurturing leaders, innovators, educators, and entrepreneurs outside it. Aswani revealed that winners in Lagos will receive medals directly from the NSC Chairman and the Director General, symbolizing government’s strong support for the initiative.
He emphasized that AFC represents more than sports promotion, describing it as a social movement powered by partnerships with government, federations, and academies. Aswani highlighted that the AFC empowers youths with opportunities from local gyms to international arenas, offering alternatives to crime, gangs, and unemployment. Additionally, AFC is developing hybrid academies as training and educational hubs, driving gender inclusion and promoting wellness through grassroots programs.
Similarly, NMMAF President Henry George stated that the event is sanctioned and supervised to ensure compliance with international rules, scoring systems, and safety standards. He explained that MMA in Nigeria now has a standard guide ensuring safety and providing a ranking system for selecting national representatives. George noted that athletes would require a minimum of 10 fights before turning professional, with medical, regulatory, and safety standards strictly maintained.
