MIXED MARTIAL ARTS:- Champions emerge as AFC World Series makes historic debut in Lagos
The energy inside Lagos was electric as the AFC World Series closed its historic tournament, the first private MMA promotion in Africa officially recognised as a continental ranking platform.
For four days, fighters from across the country battled not only for medals but also for a chance to write their names into the future of African combat sports.
Henry George, president of the Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF), praised the quality of the competition, stressing that Nigerian athletes are ready to rise to global levels.
Mr George explained that Nigeria follows international standards by ensuring fighters gain at least 10 amateur bouts before turning professional.
For Lekan Fatodu, director general of the Lagos State Sports Commission, the event confirmed the city’s status as Nigeria’s sporting capital. “For everyone following developments in Lagos, it is clear we have never seen something like this in recent times. We’ve hosted archery, fencing, table tennis, badminton, and now martial arts. Lagos State is the epicentre of sports in Nigeria — and also of sports economics,” he said.
Mr Fatodu emphasised that the state is committed to supporting athletes beyond the arena and promoting collaborations with private sector partners in entrepreneurship and scholarship opportunities.
For Raad Aswani, founder of the AFC World Series, the Lagos event marked a groundbreaking milestone.
Mr Aswani explained that winners will progress to the Next Contenders Tournament later this year, giving athletes up to seven fights under their belts — fast-tracking them toward professional status.
Outside the battles in the cage, the Lagos show was alive with music, performances and fan-focused entertainment that kept the crowd buzzing throughout the week.
The spectacle peaked on the final day when Nigeria’s UFC star, Sodiq Yusuff, joined the commentary team, adding global star power and sharp analysis that gave the championship bouts an extra layer of excitement.
