Lagos hosts first AFC World Series in Africa
The AFC World Series has become the first private promotion in African history to be officially recognised as a continental ranking ground for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
The city of Lagos will be hosting the landmark sporting event as the AFC World Series commences a four-day mixed martial arts (MMA) competition at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Featuring more than 70 athletes from Nigeria and beyond, the championship is the first privately organised MMA promotion in Africa to gain official recognition from both national and continental federations.
Founder of the AFC World Series, Raad Aswani described the tournament as both a dream fulfilled and a mission to elevate African fighters.
“Over the next four days, spectators will witness explosive bouts,” Mr. Aswani said at a press briefing in Lagos. “We have 72 to 76 registered athletes, including female strawweights, all eager to step into the cage. The competition will conclude with an awards ceremony that celebrates their dedication and hard work.”
The event enjoys the endorsement of the Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF), the National Sports Commission, the Lagos State Sports Commission, and the African Mixed Martial Arts Confederation. Victories recorded in Lagos will now contribute to Africa’s first unified ranking system for MMA, establishing a structured progression from the amateur level to international platforms.
According to Henry George, president of the NMMAF, this structure is a critical development for the sport.
“Many people watch global promotions like the UFC or PFL without realising the years of amateur contests that shape athletes. With AFC, we now have a programme known as the Road to AFC, which requires athletes to complete a minimum of 10 amateur bouts before turning professional. This aligns Africa with international standards,” he explained.
Mr. Aswani emphasised that the objective goes beyond competition, noting the importance of building “complete athletes” capable of succeeding both within and outside the sport.
The championship will conclude with a medal presentation and closing ceremony, where officials from the National Sports Commission are expected to honour the winners. By then, Lagos will have witnessed not only an international sporting event but also the dawn of a new chapter for African mixed martial arts.
