Abuja, Nigeria, August 15, 2025 – The stage is set for history as the African Knockout (AKO) Championship returns with its 10th edition, a landmark night of Mixed Martial Arts where titles will be on the line and champions will be crowned. On Friday, August 23, 2025, at 7 PM, the Velodrome in Abuja will host a spectacle that unites top fighters, and fans from across the continent.
The championship’s spotlight will be on the Lightweight Title showdown between Benin Republic’s Do Santos and Nigeria’s Jibrin Baba, a clash that promises explosive action. In the Featherweight title showdown, Senegal’s Gasmir Diatta goes toe-to-toe with Angola’s Andre Mukisi, while Nigeria’s Jane Osigwe faces Morocco’s Mandar Sanaar in a pivotal Women’s Bantamweight title contest, signalling the growing strength of women’s MMA in Africa.
Beyond the main card, fight fans will be treated to other lineups featuring some of the continent’s finest rising stars. In the Middleweight division, Lewis Mataya squares off against Prince Miezan, and Yahuza Yahaya takes on Cherif Drame, while Cabrel Fongno meets Memon Kone in a fast-paced Bantamweight contest. Adding even more fire to the women’s category, Joy Obanla faces Theresa Ajiboye in another exciting Women’s Bantamweight fight.
Fight Week officially kicks off on Thursday, August 22, with the official weigh-in and a press conference. This year’s edition takes on added significance with the presence of the AKO President, Kamaru Usman, a UFC Champion. The press event will bring together all the main-card fighters with Usman at the helm, setting the stage for intense faceoffs and bold declarations. Fans will also have the chance to meet Usman and some of Africa’s MMA stars up close in a special meet-and-greet session.
On fight night, the Velodrome will open with a red-carpet reception for celebrities, VIPs, and fans before the lights dim and the cage action begins. With world-class production, electrifying walkouts, and a card stacked with championship and contender bouts, AKO 10 is set to raise the bar for MMA in Africa.
Fueling the excitement behind this landmark edition are Fearless Energy Drink, the Bank of Industry, Ace Global, and the Abuja Continental Hotel, whose partnership underscores the scale and prestige of the tournament. With titles on the line, African stars in the spotlight, and the continent’s biggest MMA stage set in Abuja, AKO 10 promises to be a defining moment for the sport in Africa.
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For Media Inquiries: YD Company | yd@yettyd.com
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