By Hasan Khan
In a region where combat sports have long been undervalued and underfunded, MMA Zambia has emerged as a symbol of structure, discipline and opportunity. Since its induction into the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in July 2020, the federation has rapidly evolved from grassroots beginnings into a respected national governing body. In a short time, it has earned national recognition, international accolades and established one of the continent’s most robust amateur development pathways. At its heart is a commitment not only to sport but to the social transformation it can inspire.
Founding and Vision
The idea of a national MMA federation in Zambia was born out of necessity, a need to bring order, legitimacy, and long-term opportunities to a sport that was growing organically in local communities. MMA Zambia was formally launched in 2022 after nearly three years of behind-the-scenes work by a core group of athletes, coaches, and administrators.
The vision was ambitious but clear: to create a nationally recognised platform for MMA that could support youth development, provide career pathways and use martial arts as a tool for social change. This vision took shape with the founding of Ulemu Fight Academy, established by Benjamin Bush as a social project aimed at empowering young people through martial arts. The academy quickly became an incubator for talent, attracting key athletes such as Humphrey Mulenga, who went on to represent Zambia at the highest levels of amateur and professional MMA, as well as Ken Sekeletu, the first Zambian athlete to win a medal at the IMMAF Africa Championships, earning silver in 2021 and the current EFC Featherweight Champion.
The federation’s early activities centred around the Ulemu Fight Academy, a community-based project using MMA to engage vulnerable youth in Lusaka’s densely populated areas. From this social initiative emerged a national movement, with early students becoming coaches and establishing clubs like Komboni Fight Club, Wild Fighters Club, and Africa Top Team Zambia.
Challenges and Recognition
Securing official recognition from the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) in October 2021 was a pivotal milestone in MMA Zambia’s early development, following nearly three years of determined groundwork. One of the primary challenges was a general lack of awareness and understanding of mixed martial arts within the country, which led to hesitance from sports authorities and limited public support. MMA was often misunderstood as an unregulated spectacle rather than a disciplined and structured sport.
Financial constraints further complicated progress, with early efforts relying almost entirely on community-based resources and volunteer labour. Without initial government or corporate support, operations were minimal, and most programs depended on the goodwill of local coaches and youth advocates.
To overcome these issues, the federation implemented a multi-faceted strategy. Public exhibitions, interclub competitions, and awareness campaigns were used to showcase MMA’s potential as both a competitive sport and a developmental tool. Persistent engagement with the NSCZ, including formal proposals, stakeholder meetings, and detailed governance plans, helped build trust and demonstrate institutional credibility. Crucially, affiliation with IMMAF provided a recognised international framework for rules, safety and ethics, a key factor in satisfying Zambia’s regulatory expectations. To demonstrate these efforts, MMA Zambia hosted a symposium headlined by Cris Cyborg, the symposium inspired two of Zambia’s most successful female athletes Mutinta Nweene and Miracle Chipito.
Recognition by the NSCZ not only granted MMA Zambia the authority to regulate the sport nationally but also validated its legitimacy. It created a platform for athletes to compete under a national flag, access developmental funding opportunities and connection to a global sports network. This milestone laid the groundwork for future growth and opened the doors to wider participation and inclusion across the country.
Evolution and Development
Since achieving formal recognition, MMA Zambia has undergone rapid transformation. What began as a grassroots movement has grown into a national institution with strategic reach, operational structure and growing public engagement. From 2022 onward, the year operational activities officially began, the federation focused on consolidating club structures, expanding regional representation and establishing consistent competition opportunities.
One of the federation’s most notable developments has been the establishment of the Zambia National Amateur League (ZNAL). This multi-stage event series not only serves as the foundation for national team selection but is widely regarded as one of the best-organised amateur MMA platforms in Africa. The ZNAL has been pivotal in exposing local athletes to structured competition formats and preparing them for continental and global challenges.
Growth has also been supported through the unification of previously informal training academies. Gyms such as Komboni Fight Club, Wild Fighters Club and Africa Top Team Zambia, many of which originated from the Ulemu Fight Academy pipeline, now operate under consistent standards and contribute talent across multiple weight classes. These clubs have become hubs of athlete development, with a focus on coaching education, youth training programs as well as safe competition practices.
MMA Zambia has also taken steps to decentralise access to the sport. Outreach efforts in the Copperbelt Province have aimed to bring MMA into community centres and youth outreach programs. By promoting inclusivity and education alongside sport, the federation is laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability.
In parallel, the federation continues to professionalise its internal operations. This includes work on regulatory frameworks, referee training, medical protocols and athlete safety, all in alignment with IMMAF standards. These efforts are positioning MMA Zambia as a model for well-governed sport development on the continent.
Partnership with IMMAF
The partnership between MMA Zambia and the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has been foundational to the federation’s credibility, structure and long-term development. Since being formally inducted into the IMMAF family in July 2020, MMA Zambia has aligned its governance, athlete development and regulatory standards with the global benchmark for amateur MMA.
IMMAF’s support provided more than just institutional validation; it offered the tools needed to build a sustainable national body from the ground up. Access to IMMAF’s educational resources has enabled the training of certified coaches, referees and officials, while structured competition frameworks have helped Zambia roll out safe, sanctioned events across multiple regions.
Through IMMAF’s international calendar, Zambian athletes have had the opportunity to compete at the African and World Championships, exposure that was previously unavailable to local fighters. These global experiences have sharpened athlete performance, raised the national profile and inspired a generation of competitors. It has also helped legitimise MMA in the eyes of sponsors, national sports bodies and government stakeholders.
Perhaps most importantly, IMMAF has created a space for Zambia to contribute to broader continental development. Federation President Benjamin Bush has worked closely with other African national federations to support recognition efforts, share best practices and promote unity in MMA’s growth across the region.
Athlete Development and National Competition
Athlete development in Zambia is rooted in a strong social mission. From the outset, the federation has prioritised access and opportunity for underserved communities, recognising MMA’s potential to empower youth and create meaningful pathways through sport. The early foundation laid by Ulemu Fight Academy, together with its legacy clubs such as Komboni Fight Club and Wild Fighters Club, remains central to the national development strategy.
Through initiatives like the Zambia National Amateur League (ZNAL), the federation has built a structured competition environment that mirrors IMMAF’s global standards. ZNAL serves as the primary qualification route to international selection, helping to identify and prepare elite-level amateur athletes for continental and world championships. Its regional expansion has also allowed for broader inclusion across provinces, giving rising talents a platform to compete and grow.
Youth development remains a core pillar, with several programs focusing on early talent identification and mentorship. These efforts have begun to yield measurable results. One of the country’s most promising athletes, Miracle Chipito, emerged through this system. A silver medalist at the 2023 IMMAF Africa Championships, she went on to become Zambia’s first female athlete to medal at the IMMAF 2024 World Championships, a historic milestone for the nation and secured Gold at the 2025 Africa Championships, while simultaneously obtaining IMMAF’s #1 ranking in the flyweight division, a feat she hopes to continue into the 2025 World Championships this September. Her rise reflects not only her individual talent but also the strength of Zambia’s athlete pipeline.
Other success stories include Ken Sekeletu, who in 2024 became Zambia’s first-ever professional world champion by capturing the EFC Featherweight World Title. His journey from grassroots amateur competition to international stardom demonstrates the credibility and value of Zambia’s development pathway. Fellow athlete Humphrey Mulenga also made headlines competing for the EFC Lightweight title, further elevating Zambia’s status on the continental MMA stage.
The federation continues to strengthen youth, junior, and senior talent pools through structured trials, camps and regular league events, with the Zambia National Amateur League (ZNAL) acting as the centrepiece of national athlete development.
Continental Impact and Global Contribution
MMA Zambia’s influence now extends beyond its borders. As one of the most proactive federations in the IMMAF ecosystem, it has contributed significantly to shaping amateur MMA’s future in Africa. The federation has been instrumental in advising emerging federations on recognition processes, administrative set up and event management.
In 2022, MMA Zambia was awarded “Federation of the Year” by IMMAF, in recognition of its commitment to structured governance, athlete welfare and regional leadership. The award also highlighted the federation’s contributions to broader continental development, including supporting other national bodies in their journey toward IMMAF membership.
Plans are currently underway for Zambia to bid to host the IMMAF African Championships in the coming years. Such an achievement would represent a landmark moment, attracting international attention, unlocking new resources for the region, in addition to catalysing future development in sport and infrastructure.
MMA Zambia’s journey reflects the resilience as well as the potential of sport as a tool for development, inclusion, and national pride. From its roots in community-driven outreach to its current standing as a recognised federation with international accolades, MMA Zambia has carved a unique and inspiring path. With continued investment, strategic partnerships, and its alignment with IMMAF, the federation is not only building champions but a sustainable sporting legacy.
