East Africa's Premier Amateur MMA League makes stop in Nairobi this weekend

The next chapter in African combat sports unfolds this weekend, as KO Fight Nights returns to The Alchemist, Nairobi, for its second explosive event scheduled for Sunday, 17 August.

The groundbreaking bi-monthly amateur MMA series is organized by ANZA MMA, marking Kenya’s first officially licensed Mixed Martial Arts event and the region's first structured amateur MMA league.

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On its stacked card will be some of the most promising amateur fighters in the region, among them Lorenzo Caldarelli of Rwanda, who will be looking to build on from his unforgettable debut at ANZA MMA, where he submitted his opponent in under two minutes of the first round.

Also returning is Hassan Wasswa Muhammed of Nairobi Jiu Jitsu Academy, following his explosive TKO victory at the previous event.

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Quickly becoming a proving ground for East Africa's top rising MMA talent, KO Fight Nights is drawing contenders from across the region, and setting a new standard for combat sports on the continent.

Sunday's upcoming fights will be officially sanctioned by the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation, the national regulatory authority for martial arts, ensuring the highest standards of safety and professionalism.

Speaking ahead of the event, Brian Munyi, MMA Commissioner of the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation, said: "This is a huge step forward for MMA in the region. For the first time, we’re creating a structured, high-quality platform that supports local fighters from the ground up. This will build the future of African MMA.”

This pioneering initiative is a major milestone for the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), providing a professional environment for developing athletes and addressing the urgent need for grassroots sport infrastructure in one of the world’s fastest-growing disciplines.

In addition to the support of ANZA MMA, Kenya Originals is also on board with bridging the first professional MMA team in the region to life at the Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy - a major milestone for the martial arts scene in East Africa.

“We’re incredibly excited to support KO Fight Nights and be part of this movement to build up MMA in Kenya and across East Africa," Alexandra Chappatte, CEO of Kenya Originals and sponsor of Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy's pro-team, said.

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The fight series will travel to multiple cities in Kenya and East Africa, with events produced to international standards and curated to deliver both competitive excellence and fan engagement. Each event will spotlight elite-level amateur matchups while cultivating a community around the sport.