ANZA’s KO Fight Nights MMA Remains the Region’s Leading Amateur MMA Organization

You can now watch every fight on ANZA MMA YouTube. On Sunday, August 17, 2025, KO Fight Nights by ANZA MMA returned to The Alchemist in Nairobi for its second edition. Supported by the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation, Kenya’s first officially licensed Mixed Martial Arts promotion, the event kept fans on the edge of their seats with nonstop action and impressive fight results.

Along with MMA fans, partygoers, and members of the media, the thrilling evening attracted fighters to witness the bout taking place inside the cage. By bringing together competitors from all around East Africa for eight bouts, each lasting three rounds and three minutes, KO Fight Night 1 solidified its position as the region’s top amateur MMA league. 

The following is how the battles turned out: Osman Idris (Uganda) was defeated by TKO by Hendrik Jebsen (Tanzania), James Nasongo (Kenya) was defeated by KO by Laurian Samuel (Kenya), and the bouts between Asuma Shafik (Uganda) and Gordon Juma (Kenya) and Bobby Kamande (Kenya) and Kevin Tunai (Kenya) ended in draws. With Hassan Muhammed (Uganda) finishing the evening with a TKO victory against Francis Mwangangi (Kenya), Norman Mondo (Kenya) defeated Eric Ngari (Kenya) via TKO, Wanendeya Raymond (Uganda) defeated Steve Bach (Kenya) via TKO, and Amos Eboso (Kenya) defeated Jonathan Nsubuga (Uganda) via TKO.

ANZA MMA’s KO Fight Nights give East African amateur fighters a chance to hone their craft and pursue a career in professional combat while maintaining safety regulations. The safety of fighters is our top priority, according to ANZA MMA founder Peng Chen. We match fighters based on their weight and skill level, require protective gear, and have each athlete go through a medical examination both before and after a fight.

As the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation enforces stringent safety protocols to protect the wellbeing of competitors, Peng also emphasized the league’s role in athlete development and safety. Additionally, Peng confirmed that all fight results have been uploaded on Tapology.com to ensure international record-keeping and recognition. 

It was also the first time that ANZA MMA and Kenya Originals had collaborated. Kenya Originals (KO) is supporting the Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy in creating the first professional MMA team in the area in addition to its participation with ANZA. “We’re really thrilled to support KO Fight Nights and be a part of this movement to build up MMA in Kenya and across East Africa,” Kenya Originals CEO Alexandra Chappatte adds. This platform is a potent manifestation of our dedication to fostering local talent, boldly and authentically fusing sport, culture, and community.

Daniel Kijo, Director of Marketing and Operations at PFL Africa, is excited by this momentum. The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the second-biggest MMA organization in the world, just opened its Africa division, with former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou (Cameroon) serving as its leader.

“There is tremendous potential for this sport on this continent,” Kijo believes. To expand the sport ecosystem, professionalization of amateur leagues, promotions, training, and sport management are all essential. The purpose of the PFL is to assist initiatives that improve the sport throughout the continent. In the near future, I hope to see a lot more MMA on our mainstream media outlets.

Julio DeSouza, Co-Founder of Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy (NJA), reflects on the platform’s relevance, saying, “Local amateur fighters have long lacked access to structured competition.” That void is being filled by KO Fight Nights, which provides frequent chances to compete at a high level while developing the knowledge and expertise required to make the move to professional MMA, claiming that this is a crucial advancement for the sport in East Africa.

In preparation for the league’s inaugural professional showcase in December 2025, ANZA MMA is now preparing its second semester schedule, which will include two additional amateur competitions. By giving competitors the stage, exposure, and professionalism they require to succeed, KO Fight Nights is establishing a new standard for MMA in Kenya and East Africa as the sport continues to grow in popularity throughout the world. The basis for the sport’s future throughout the continent is laid by each tournament, which fortifies the route from amateur to professional levels.

ANZA MMA has established a new benchmark for combat sports in the area, putting Kenya firmly on the international MMA map by promoting up-and-coming talent, paying tribute to trailblazers, and empowering young people.