Hasan Khan
Benjamin Bush has emerged as one of the most influential figures in African mixed martial arts, spearheading MMA Zambia’s rise with deep-rooted vision, tenacity and a community first ethos. As founding President of MMA Zambia, he transformed a once informal sport into a structured body recognised nationally and globally with IMMAF.
Beginnings
Originally from Zambia, Bush spent time studying, living and working in London, where he immersed himself in the UK’s MMA scene and trained at Pancrase London, one of the capital’s more active gyms. During his time training under Jess Liaudin, Benjamin met a young José Aldo at a local show, the future WEC and UFC featherweight King. José’s humble nature but devastating performance sparked his dual interests in sport and storytelling.
As a filmmaker, Bush developed a pioneering 3D documentary, a meditation on what it means to be “in the zone”. The project envisioned following MMA legends such as Kid Yamamoto, Paul Daley, Fedor Emelianenko and José Aldo in 3D, from their home lives to one of the largest MMA events at the time, Affliction. Plans shifted, however, when the event fell through and the compelling nature of José Aldo’s rags to riches story in the favelas of Brazil took a hold. It was at this time that he encountered Marlon Sandro, who ran a socially driven jiu-jitsu project in Rio’s Morro do Santo Amaro favela, using martial arts to lift youth out of the violence of drug gangs and police violence. That experience inspired Bush to bring the same social mission to Zambia.
Ulemu Fight Academy & the Vulnerable Youth Programme
Invited back home to Zambia to introduce MMA, Bush faced early challenges; broken promises, scarce funding and juggling side jobs while supporting a family. Driven by purpose and using his own resources, he co-founded Ulemu Fight Academy in Lusaka’s underserved areas (named “Komboni,” meaning “ghetto” in Nyanja). Ulemu became the foundation of MMA Zambia and home to the Vulnerable Youth Programme, serving children aged four and up with over 200 students, most of whom train for free and inspired by Sandro’s model. Bush developed the VYP to incorporate a 12-step vulnerability curriculum, all woven into martial arts training. Along with GBV, drug and alcohol abuse, and the environment, the program has an innovative approach and uses the sport of MMA to discuss topics as diverse as social media, AI and fake news, and even politics, all designed to build better citizens with independent thought, empathy, as well as to educate about the dangers of manipulation and abuse.
From Community to Federation
Building from Ulemu’s community impact, MMA Zambia formally launched in 2022 after years of groundwork. Through outreach events, awareness campaigns and advocacy, Bush secured government recognition from the National Sports Council of Zambia on 29 October 2021, a vital step for legitimacy and regulation. In July 2020, MMA Zambia had become an official member of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), a partnership that defined safety, governance, coaching standards and athlete development protocols. He established ZNAL (Zambia National Amateur League) in 2022, creating one of Africa’s best run amateur MMA platforms and the main pathway for athlete selection to continental and world championship’s.
Partnerships & Athlete Achievements
Support from groups like 1xBet enabled key interventions, most notably the funding of Douglas “Boyka” Jai Chilufya’s rehabilitation after a serious injury in 2024, helping save his athletic career. MMA Zambia has since consistently challenged international teams, achieving a roughly 70% win ratio against foreign competitors.
Athletes now compete on African and World stage’s, no longer being overshadowed or sidelined abroad. One of Zambia’s brightest athletes, female flyweight Miracle Chipito, who rose through grassroots pathway to become Zambia’s first female medallist at the IMMAF World Championships in 2024, then won gold at the Africa Championships in 2025, earning IMMAF’s #1 world ranking in her division by May 2025. Her achievement reflects not only talent but MMA Zambia’s inclusive pipeline.
While women’s achievements like Miracle Chipito’s have been pivotal, Bush insists the wider system must benefit all athletes and their communities. “Female athletes aren’t enough, it’s a powerful symbol in Zambia to have powerful women represented,” he said.
Among MMA Zambia’s undefeated professional standouts is Ken Sekeletu, who began his journey in Ulemu’s VYP program, and made history at EFC 121 in March 2025 by capturing the EFC Featherweight Championship. He remains a visible part of the amateur system that produced him, regularly linking with the federation and its clubs to support upcoming athletes.
Leadership & Grassroots Ecosystem
Through Ulemu, the federation nurtured clubs like Komboni Fight Club, Wild Fighters Club and Africa Top Team Zambia, often led by Ulemu alumni who now coach the next generation.
Bush works closely with Henry Shoko, Technical Director and Lead Official who is fully IMMAF-certified and Malachy McAlister, Zambia’s lead IMMAF referee. They have played key roles in professionalising event officiating and representing Zambia at IMMAF World Championships. Daily operations are lean but purposeful, committees run everything from grassroots scouting and athlete welfare to sponsorship and national selections. Bush often says, “We multitask constantly, everyone here believes in the mission.”
Legacy and Looking Ahead
In May 2025, Benjamin Bush announced his stepping down as President of MMA Zambia, and will soon be handing over a robust federation and pipeline capable of sustaining continued growth. With his legacy firmly planted, Bush is pushing for bigger and better things, including coaching certification programs, sustainable development for grass roots clubs, financial literacy training, micro-loans, business planning and subsidized equipment for those that want to roll out his pioneering VYP program to their local communities. Benjamin is looking forward to a future now focused more on family and development of Ulemu gym, promising to stay closely connected as an adviser.
His ambitions for Zambia remain bold, he continues to advocate for fully licensed gyms, certified coaches, athlete welfare programmes and one day, hosting the IMMAF Africa Championships in Zambia’s tourist hot spot, Livingstone where the mighty Victoria Falls will take center stage among the fists and kicks of future world champion MMA athletes..
Benjamin Bush’s tenure is a study in how sport and social mission can build something lasting from nothing, through structure, partnerships and relentless heart. Zambia has moved from MMA obscurity to recognition and respect, not just for medals but for nurturing a system that gives vulnerable young people a real future.
