Combat Sports Growth Key to Nigeria's Youth Development

Combat Sports Growth Key to Nigeria's Youth Development 

By Admin 

A combat sports stakeholder has reiterated the importance of Mixed Martial Arts MMA as a massive youth engagement tool in Nigeria.

The Director Youth Development in the Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation Dr Ebere Bernard made the assertion during Festival Of Warriors MMA competition that held in Umuahia Abia State.

"MMA is a source of livelihood for the athletes. You can see youthful restiveness everywhere. MMA is a way of engaging the youths, keeping them busy. What I mean by that is if you have competition in the next six months, I don't think you will have the time to indulge in any negative vice, rather you will be preoccupied with high level training," the Nigerian Army veteran stated.

Some of the youths deeply engaged in the game showed what that were made of in the Festival of Warriors event, put together by Akalaka Spirit of Warrior Promotion.

The seventh in the series of the Promotion's production delivered nonstop action last Monday 29 December 2025 in Umuahia.

the eagerly anticipated competition exploded with multiple submissions and knockout as the fighters thrilled audiences at the Murphy's Mansion Resort.

Christopher 'Stab the Electric Eel' Swande brought his grappling skills under focus as he applied the Ezekiel choke to snuff the delights out of Chidera 'Smiling Assassin' Emeka in the Main Event.

Forged in the Akalaka Gym, Swande, weathered the striking onslaught of Chidera, late into the first round, before securing the win to highlight the never say die spirit of the Mbagben, the ancient war clan of Gaav in Benue State.

The very close proximity of the fight centre to the National War Museum in Amafor, venue of the face-off and ceremonial weigh in, set the tone of what to come on fight day.

The men's Welterweight division opened the seven fight night extravaganza as Casmir "Poison' Junior defeated Felix Valentine via a rear naked choke in the second round.

In the only ladies' matchup, Enku 'Wakuta Finest' Ekuta, representing the Irraun ancient war clan of Katchuan in Cross River State beat The Empress Patience Okoh in the women's Bantamweight category.

The Edo Empress tried unleashing relentless stand-up strikes, but Wakuta took the game to the ground where she transitioned from Americana through arm bar to rear naked choke for the win.

The competition, first of its kind in Abia State, capped off with an award presentation for Best Fighter of the Night.

Main Event winner Christopher Swande beat off the challenge of David Emmanuel and Destiny Ekpo to secure the priceless accolade, accompanied by a princely financial reward.

Speaking during the award presentation the President of Akalaka Spirit of Warrior Dr Ebere Bernard solicited support of corporate Nigeria, individuals and the Federal Government in order to take the game to the level of mass participation, employment, and sports tourism.

"This event is capital intensive. An individual cannot run it alone. So we need Government. We know that annually there is budget for sports. There is no other means to reach out to the youths than what is happening right here. We would appreciate if the government can come in, vote in funds to help with sponsorship."

COMPLETE RESULTS OF FESTIVAL OF WARRIORS MMA SHOWDOWN:

Men's Welterweight 

1. Casmere 'Poison' Junior beat Felix Valentine by rear naked choke submission 4min 32seconds in round 2

Ladies' Bantamweight 

2. Enku 'Wakuta Finest' Ekuta defeated Patience Okoh The Empress by rear naked choke submission 3min 10seconds in round 1.

Men's Bantamweight 

3. Abdulkareem 'Black Wolf' Nasirudeen beat Duru 'Bullet' Bennett by Arm triangle submission 2min 46seconds in round 1

Men's Featherweight 

4. Destiny 'De Bull' Ekpo defeated Joshua 'Midnight' Emmanuel by Ezekiel choke submission 2min 22seconds in round 2.

Men's Heavyweight 

5. Azor 'Chysley' Chibueze beat Addulkareem Idris Enesi by TKO ground & pound 4min 40sec in round 2.

Men's Lightweight(Co-Main Event)

6. David 'Iron The Metal Steel' Emmanuel defeated Effefiong 'Boyka De Great' Bassey by Guillotine choke submission 3min 45seconds in round 1.

Men's Bantamweight(Main Event)

7. Swande 'Stab The Electric Eel' Christopher beat Chidera 'Smiling Assassin' Emeka by Ezekiel choke, 4min 47seconds in round 1.