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A Lagos State community, Ajegunle, will take centre stage in Nigeria’s growing mixed martial arts scene on Saturday (today) as 22 fighters clash at the ‘Battle Of The Hood’ event organised by Akalaka Spirit Of The Warrior.
The Honourable Lukman Oluomo Sports Arena in Awodi Ora will host 11 explosive bouts across multiple weight divisions, with heavyweight giants Kabiru ‘Hulk’ Adediran and Atiti Fidelis headlining the main card.
The tournament will feature six fights in the men’s lightweight and light heavyweight divisions, while female fighters will compete in three flyweight category bouts.
At Friday’s ceremonial weigh-in and face-off, CEO of Akalaka Spirit Of The Warrior, Dr Ebere Bernard, explained the significance of bringing the event to Ajegunle.
“This community is a leading hotbed for grassroots sports development in Nigeria,” he told The PUNCH.
Bernard, who also serves as the director of youth development in the Nigeria Mixed Martial Federation, revealed broader ambitions behind the tournament.
“We’re driven to use MMA as a tool to combat some social vices prevalent amongst youths in the society,” he added.
The event has garnered significant international interest, with broadcasts scheduled to reach over 35 countries across Africa and beyond.
Adediran, regarded as one of Nigeria’s most intimidating heavyweight fighters, will face a stern test against Fidelis in what promises to be a thrilling main event showdown.
The tournament format adds extra stakes for competitors, who must win their initial bouts to progress through their respective divisions.
Today’s fights mark another significant step in Nigeria’s developing MMA scene, with Ajegunle, famous for its football talents, now positioning itself as a breeding ground for combat sports.
