The East Africa’s Best Amateur Mixed Martial Arts League continues in Nairobi at The Alchemist

On August 17, 2025, KO Fight Nights will return to The Alchemist in Nairobi for its second exciting event, marking the beginning of a new era in African combat sports. ANZA MMA is the organization behind this innovative bi-monthly amateur MMA series, which is the first organized amateur MMA league in the region and the first officially licensed Mixed Martial Arts event in Kenya.

With a stacked card that includes some of the most talented amateur boxers in the area, fight fans may anticipate fireworks at the next event. The formidable Lorenzo Caldarelli (Rwanda), who made an incredible debut at ANZA MMA by submitting his opponent in less than two minutes of the opening round, is one of the standouts. Hassan Wasswa Muhammed of Nairobi Jiu Jitsu Academy is also making a comeback after his thrilling TKO victory in the last event, which was one of the most talked-about performances of the evening.

With competitors arriving from all across the region and establishing a new benchmark for combat sports on the continent, KO Fight Nights is rapidly emerging as the testing ground for East Africa’s best up-and-coming MMA talent. The Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation, the country’s martial arts regulating body, will formally approve this next event, guaranteeing the utmost professionalism and safety.

The Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation’s MMA Commissioner, Brian Munyi, is thrilled with MMA’s progress. “This is a huge step forward for MMA in the region,” he states. For the first time, we’re building a well-organized, superior platform that starts from scratch to help local combatants. This will help shape African MMA’s future. 

This innovative project represents a significant turning point for the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sport, offering a professional setting for athlete development and meeting the pressing need for grassroots sport infrastructure in one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

Together with ANZA MMA’s assistance, Kenya Originals is helping to bring the first professional MMA team in the area to the Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy, which is a significant turning point for the East African martial arts sector. 

“We are thrilled to support KO Fight Nights and be a part of this movement to build up MMA in Kenya and across East Africa,” said Alexandra Chappatte, CEO of Kenya Originals. “We are also proud to sponsor the Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy’s pro team, providing their athletes with the structure, training, and visibility needed to thrive at the highest level,” the statement continued. “We believe in supporting local talent, and this platform is a powerful expression of that commitment—blending sport, culture, and community in a bold and authentic way.”

Although MMA has become extremely popular worldwide, East African competitors have always lacked local venues to obtain exposure and experience. By providing amateur fighters with a route to professionalism and introducing fans to the upcoming generation of champions, KO Fight Nights aims to close that gap. KO Fight Nights solidifies its position as a breeding ground for the upcoming crop of African mixed martial arts champions with every match.

With events staged to international standards and carefully planned to provide both competitive excellence and spectator engagement, the fight series will visit several towns in Kenya and East Africa. Every event will promote top-tier amateur competitions while fostering a sense of community around the sport.