African mixed martial arts (MMA) enthusiasts are set to enjoy increased access to exciting MMA content thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between prominent sports network SuperSport and the rapidly emerging Nigerian promotion, the African KnockOut Championship (AKO).
SuperSport will serve as the exclusive linear broadcaster for AKO throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, to broaden the promotion’s audience and enhance Pan-African MMA within its extensive sports lineup.
The popularity of mixed martial arts has surged significantly in recent years, captivating millions of fans, particularly among younger, digitally-savvy demographics. This rise in interest across the continent can be attributed to the achievements of standout UFC champions like Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya, Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou, and South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis.
Key MMA hubs such as South Africa, Nigeria, and Angola are flourishing, and the interest is rapidly spreading to nations like Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt. As reported by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), 24 national federations are operational across Africa, governing professional and amateur MMA events.
On the professional side, the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) has been the premier MMA organisation showcasing top African talent alongside international fighters. SuperSport already provides coverage of EFC, UFC, and the Professional Fighters League (PFL), and the addition of AKO will enhance its premium offerings in the MMA genre.
Kamaru Usman, AKO President and Co-founder and also recognised as Africa’s first UFC champion, highlighted the transformative potential of this partnership, stating, “This venture isn’t just about creating a broadcasting platform; it’s about realising the full potential of African MMA. We aim to inspire new champions and establish a thriving homegrown ecosystem that can compete globally. SuperSport is the ideal partner, sharing our vision and understanding of African audiences.”
Founded in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2020, AKO launched as an MMA talent reality TV series called African Knockout, which became Netflix’s first unscripted sports reality show. It expanded operations with “FaceOff” Fight Nights in 2022 before introducing the AKO Championship in 2023, featuring five weight divisions and elite fighters from over 21 African nations.
The collaboration with SuperSport promises a dynamic viewing experience, featuring live fight nights, engaging feature content, and episodic storytelling. SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Kamaru Usman and AKO. His vision aligns perfectly with SuperSport’s mission to provide world-class sports content and support African talent.”
Jeremy Bean, AKO Partnerships Director, described the alliance as a “defining moment for Pan-African MMA,” expressing confidence that SuperSport’s backing will amplify the sport’s narrative and commercial visibility on the global stage.
