Venue: Pistis Conference Centre, Lekki, Lagos
Event: African Knockout (AKO8) Championship
Participating Nations: Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Morocco, Togo, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire
Eighteen elite fighters from across Africa brought the heat to Lagos at the AKO8 Championship, turning the Pistis Conference Centre into a cauldron of adrenaline, cheers, and unforgettable MMA action. From show-stopping knockouts to dramatic disqualifications, the event was a celebration of African athleticism and rising combat sports talent.
Main Event: Diatta Dominates
Senegal’s Gasmire Diatta stole the spotlight, delivering a ferocious TKO victory over Morocco’s Faout Youssef in the featherweight clash. Diatta’s precision striking and relentless aggression earned him the Performance of the Night and secured his place in the upcoming AKO featherweight final.
“Diatta proved he’s not just a contender—he’s a force,” remarked one thrilled fan.
Co-Main Drama: Disqualification Decides
In an unexpected turn, the co-main event between Nigeria’s Venatius Iyinagolu and South Africa’s Xavier Adams Boa ended abruptly when Boa was disqualified for an illegal headbutt, handing Iyinagolu the win. Though anticlimactic, the bout sparked intense reactions from fans and fighters alike.
Women Bring the Fire
The women’s division delivered equally fierce action:
- Osigwe Chidinma Jane (Nigeria) defeated Cynthia Jibidar via unanimous decision
- Mandar Sanaa edged Obanla Joy Ebanda in a close contest, showcasing the rising standard in African women’s MMA
Fight Night Highlights
- 🇿🇦 Chad Hanekom (South Africa) beat Memon Abdoulaye Kone (Ivory Coast) via TKO in a middleweight war
- 🇳🇬 Philemon Jeb Bitrus (Nigeria) destroyed Mathieu Aboya with a first-round TKO
- 🇨🇲 Jordan Cabrel Fongno (Cameroon) outpointed Sodik Olawale Amao in a calculated middleweight bout
- 🇳🇬 Emmanuel Nworie knocked out Kingsley Ajunwa at 4:17 of Round 1 (Lightweight)
- 🇿🇦 Lewis Mataya submitted Oluwadamilare Timothy Ayilaran with a Kimura lock just 1:06 into Round 1
Festival Atmosphere and Fan Engagement
Beyond the thrilling fights, AKO8 transformed into a festival of culture, tech, and entertainment:
- AI boxing simulations brought fans into the virtual ring
- A vibrant food court and interactive booths kept the crowd buzzing
- The high-energy crowd turned the night into a true celebration of African combat sports
AKO COO Speaks
Rayan Fayad, Chief Operating Officer of AKO, praised the fighters and fans:
“AKO8 proved why African MMA is fast becoming a global powerhouse. The passion, the skill, and the atmosphere tonight were electric.”
As the curtain fell on AKO8, one thing was clear—African MMA is not just rising; it’s exploding. The fighters left it all in the octagon, and fans are already buzzing about what AKO9 might bring.
