Martial Arts · MMA
MMA in Nigeria
A new federation, a Sports Festival debut, the PFL in Lagos, and two Nigerian-born UFC champions.
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From our archive
What is MMA?
Mixed Martial Arts abbreviated to MMA is a full contact combat sport that permits grappling and striking, both standing and on the ground, as they apply several other techniques involved in martial arts for self-defence.
Checked 30 September 2026
The rise of MMA in Nigeria
For years, Nigeria’s MMA story was told abroad. Kamaru Usman, born in Auchi, became the first African-born UFC champion in 2019, and Lagos-born Israel Adesanya won the middleweight title the same year. At home, the Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation worked for more than five years before the Federal Ministry of Sports recognised it in January 2023, after an MMA demonstration at the National Sports Festival.
In 2026 the sport took two big steps: MMA was confirmed for the National Sports Festival, and on 13 June the PFL held PFL Africa 2 at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos, headlined by the 2025 PFL Africa featherweight tournament winner, Wasi Adeshina. That bout ended as a no contest after a failed drug test.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Kamaru Usman wins The Ultimate Fighter 21 |
| 2 Mar 2019 | Usman beats Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 to become the first African-born UFC champion |
| 5 Oct 2019 | Israel Adesanya wins the UFC middleweight title at UFC 243 |
| Jan 2023 | The Federal Ministry of Sports recognises the Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation |
| 13 Jun 2026 | PFL Africa 2 in Lagos, the PFL’s first event in Nigeria |
| 2026 | MMA on the National Sports Festival programme |
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Quick answers
MMA in Nigeria: quick answers
Who governs MMA in Nigeria?
The Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF), led by Ambassador Henry George, recognised by the Federal Ministry of Sports in January 2023 and affiliated to the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF).
Has the UFC or PFL held an event in Nigeria?
The PFL held PFL Africa 2 at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos on 13 June 2026, its first event in Nigeria.
Which Nigerians have won UFC titles?
Kamaru Usman (welterweight, 2019 to 2022) and Israel Adesanya (middleweight, 2019 to 2022 and 2023).