ANZA MMA staged what it said was Kenya’s first professionally sanctioned mixed martial arts (MMA) event on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Broadwalk Mall in Nairobi, bringing together professional fighters from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in a card where every bout ended in a stoppage.

In a press release dated December 8, 2025, the promoter said the event, branded KO Fight Night by ANZA MMA, was sold out and was also broadcast live on YouTube. ANZA MMA added that the broadcast featured commentary from Julio DeSouza, who it described as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and co-founder of Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy, and was hosted by Alex Holi.

The event signals a push to formalise and monetise combat sports in Kenya through professionally sanctioned formats, broadcast distribution and event production, as local promoters test whether MMA can attract consistent gate revenues and sponsorship in a market where boxing and football have traditionally dominated attention.

ANZA MMA said the Nairobi card drew entertainment acts including Savara, Octopizzo and Boutross, with live performances between fights. The promoter positioned the event as part of its broader effort to build an MMA pipeline in the region, following years focused on developing amateur competition.

On the sporting side, ANZA MMA reported first-round wins on the main card for Kenyan fighters Ouhsummer Ali Abad, George Itumo and Kelvin Odongo. Odongo received what the promoter termed the “KO of the Night” bonus, while Tanzanian fighter Dauda Rajabu was awarded “Submission of the Night,” according to the statement.

“Tonight was a historic moment not only for ANZA MMA but for Kenya and East African combat sports,” Peng Chen, founder of ANZA MMA, said in the release. “The athletes delivered world-class performances, the fans brought unforgettable energy and the entire country proved it is ready for elite professional MMA.”

Chen said the promotion plans to expand its events calendar next year. “Next year, fans can expect to see more ANZA MMA amateur and pro fights in Nairobi and different regions in the country,” he said.

ANZA MMA also said the event attracted interest from international MMA organisations “including UFC PFL and AKO,” adding that Daniel Kijo, identified as Director of Marketing & Operations at PFL Africa, attended “as a show of PFL Africa’s interest in ANZA MMA and developing local talent.” The statement did not disclose any commercial agreements, rights deals or investment commitments linked to the attendance.

Main-card results listed by the promoter were: Ouhsummer Ali Abad (Kenya) defeated Stephen Rackara (Uganda) by Round 1 TKO (Ground & Pound) at featherweight; George Itumo (Kenya) defeated Joel Ssemanda (Uganda) by Round 1 TKO (Ground & Pound) at bantamweight; Kelvin Odongo (Kenya) defeated Jonani Tugume (Uganda) by Round 1 TKO (Strikes) at heavyweight; and Dauda Rajabu (Tanzania) defeated Farouk Ogwal (Uganda) by Round 1 submission (Triangle Choke) at flyweight.

Preliminary results listed were: Rashidi Mlegelo (Tanzania) defeated Justin Okot (Uganda) by Round 1 submission (Rear Naked Choke) at featherweight; Annet Rose Kiiza (Uganda) defeated Rael Ashubwe (Kenya) by Round 2 TKO (Ground & Pound) at flyweight; and Moses Musisi (Uganda) defeated Joakim Ikalakala (Kenya) by Round 2 submission (“Mother’s Milk”) at welterweight.

For Kenya’s sports business ecosystem, the key test will be whether professionally sanctioned MMA can sustain repeat events through ticketing, sponsorship and media distribution—particularly as promoters seek to build reliable athlete pathways, coaching infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. ANZA MMA said KO Fight Night was supported by Kenya Originals, Açaí Oasis, You C.1000 Drinks, MMA Gold and HustleSasa.

ANZA MMA said it will stage more amateur and professional fight nights in 2026, expanding beyond Nairobi to other regions, as it works to grow the sport’s national footprint.