1 week Ago By Guardian Nigeria
About 18 elite fighters from Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon and South Africa were at their thrilling best with electrifying Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) action at the African Knockout (AKO) Championship held at The Pistis Conference Centre, Lekki at the weekend. From the opening bell to the final bout, AKO8 delivered on its promise of electrifying entertainment, blending high-octane fights with immersive fan experiences. Senegal’s Gasmire Diatta stole the show in the main event, stopping Morocco’s Faout Youssef via TKO to secure Performance of the Night honours and book a place in the prestigious AKO featherweight final.
Diatta’s sharp striking and unrelenting pace proved too much for Youssef, thrilling the Lagos crowd and sending a clear message to the rest of the division. The co-main event between Nigeria’s Venatius Iyinagolu and South Africa’s Xavier Adams Boa ended prematurely when Boa delivered an illegal headbutt, leading to a disqualification and handing Iyinagolu the win in bizarre fashion. The women showed no signs of slowing down as Nigeria’s Osigwe Chidinma Jane earned a unanimous decision victory over Cynthia Jibidar, while Mandar Sanaa edged out Obanla Joy Ebanda in another tight decision, proving the growing depth and quality in the women’s division.
Other fight highlights include Chad Hanekom (South Africa), who secured a TKO over Memon Abdoulaye Kone (Ivory Coast) in a high-powered middleweight clash, while Philemon Jeb Bitrus (Nigeria) dismantled Mathieu Aboya with a brutal first-round TKO in the featherweight division. Jordan Cabrel Fongno (Cameroon) outpointed Sodik Olawale Amao in a strategic middleweight battle, Emmanuel Nworie finished Kingsley Ajunwa with a TKO at 4:17 of round 1 (Lightweight), while Lewis Mataya submitted Oluwadamilare Timothy Ayilaran with a Kimura lock just 1:06 into the opening round. Beyond the octagon, AKO8 delivered a festival-like atmosphere, with fans engaging in AI boxing simulations, indulging in top-tier food and drinks, and bringing vibrant energy that resonated throughout the venue.
The Chief Operating Officer of AKO, Rayan Fayad, said AKO8 showed exactly why African MMA is on the rise. He said the energy, the athleticism, and the spirit of the fighters delivered a night to remember. Fayad said the company is proud to provide this platform for African fighters to shine on a global stage.
”.
