DRC, Morocco, Nigeria dominate AKO6

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ananias Mulumba, nicknamed “Metal,” was dominant in his second-round technical knockout (TKO) victory over Nigeria’s Jackie Anyana, known as the “Smiling Assassin,” at the African Knockout Championship (AKO6) to earn his spot in the championship finals.

The AKO6 pan-African Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event drew elite fighters from across the continent to Lagos for a night of unforgettable athleticism and entertainment.

Held at the prestigious Monarch Event Centre, the event featured thrilling matchups spanning multiple weight divisions, solidifying its position as a centerpiece of African combat sports.

Another standout performance came from Nigeria’s Cornel Thompson, whose lightening-fast takedown of Ghana’s Richard Asiedu, in the first round of their lightweight final eliminator earned him the Performance of the Night award.

The fight of the night went to Morocco’s Faout Youseff, and Angola’s Andre Mukisi, whose featherweight clash was a nail-biting display of relentless energy and tactical brilliance.
Youseff emerged victorious via unanimous decision after a bloody and suspense-filled showdown that had the crowd on their feet.

Burkina Faso’s Abdou Sankara delivered a jaw-dropping moment with a 48-second guillotine choke submission against Nigeria’s Dennis Emmanuel, while South Africa’s Chad Hanekom secured a first-round rear-naked choke win over Benin Republic’s Cherif Drame.

Nigeria’s Yahaya Yahuza also delivered a memorable victory, defeating compatriot, Odogu Isaac in a hard-fought middleweight contest, and Morocco’s Mandar Sanaa continued her dominance in the women’s bantamweight division.

According to the organisers, the event was a testament to AKO’s ability to merge world-class