Lagos has officially etched its name into the annals of global combat sports as it plays host to the AFC World Series, a groundbreaking Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) championship that marks a turning point for African athletes and the sport’s development across the continent.
Held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall within the iconic Teslim Balogun Stadium, the four-day event brings together over 70 fighters from Nigeria and beyond, showcasing raw talent, explosive bouts, and a unified vision for Africa’s place in the global MMA arena.
Founded by visionary entrepreneur Raad Aswani, the AFC World Series is the first privately-run African MMA promotion to be officially recognized by national and continental federations, including the Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF), the National Sports Commission (NSC), and the African MMA Confederation (AMMAC).
“This is more than a tournament—it’s a movement,” said Aswani. “We’re building a pipeline from amateur to professional, empowering fighters to rise from local gyms to international stages.”
The championship is part of the Road to AFC initiative, a structured program requiring fighters to complete a minimum of 10 amateur bouts before turning professional—mirroring global standards and ensuring safety, credibility, and progression.
Beyond the cage, the AFC World Series is also a catalyst for social change. Through partnerships with federations and academies, the initiative promotes youth empowerment, gender inclusion, and education through sport, turning gyms into safe spaces and training hubs.