- LUANDA, ANGOLA
- 14– 17 SEPTEMBER 2023
- SENIOR & JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) announces the 2023 IMMAF Africa Championships will officially take place in Luanda, Angola, between 14 – 17 September.
Hosted by the Angolan MMA Federation (FAMMA) at Angola’s Pavilhão Multi Usos Arena do Kilamba (Luanda), the 2023 IMMAF Africa Championships marks the event’s first-time taking place outside of South Africa.
The IMMAF Africa Championships will feature both Senior and Junior divisions for Men and Women, furthering the development of grassroots MMA across the region.
The Championships also mark the first IMMAF competition to be held on the continent since the launch of the Africa MMA Confederation (AMMAC), the fully recognised continental body overseeing Amateur MMA development in all African regions.
In 2022, Mixed Martial Arts South Africa (MMASA) hosted the Championships for the fifth time, with participating nations including Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It would also be a breakout occasion for Angola, who found great success with athletes Maurio Silva (bantamweight), Stanislau Kakesse Wezy (light heavyweight), Elisio Zua (middleweight) and Osvaldo Benedito (welterweight) all claiming gold.
South Africa would top the medal’s table with 17 total (including five golds), with Angola (13 total) and Namibia (3 total) following closely behind.
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown commented:
“We are excited to announce that FAMMA will host the 2023 IMMAF Africa Championships, marking a historic moment as the event expands beyond South Africa. This is a testament to the thriving development of MMA in Africa, which improves year-on-year. By bringing the championships to Angola, we are building the future of MMA in the region, showcasing remarkable talent and inspiring a new generation of fighters. FAMMA’s commitment is commendable, and we anticipate an extraordinary tournament that will elevate the sport and leave a lasting impact across the continent.”
