Rwanda has sent two fighters to the inaugural African Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, marking the country’s first participation in the continental competition.
Binego Abdoul Karim and Binego Djibril, both members of GAMMA Rwanda, travelled to Côte d’Ivoire on Sunday, October 11, accompanied by coach Sinzi Tharcisse. The championship is scheduled for October 12–16, with bouts beginning on Tuesday, October 13.
The event is organised by the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) in collaboration with Côte d’Ivoire’s national MMA federation. Fifteen national federations had registered by late September, including Rwanda, according to GAMMA. (GAMMA)
Mwizerwa Dieudonné, president of GAMMA Rwanda, told IGIHE that taking part in the first continental championship was an important step for the sport in Rwanda, where the association began its activities in late 2025.
“This is historic for us because it is the first African MMA Championship, and we have managed to take part. I am confident we can return with victories. The fighters have trained well, and we have been preparing for this for some time,” Mwizerwa said.
He added that the team’s participation was part of plans to expose Rwandan fighters to more international competition. GAMMA Rwanda is also looking towards the world championships scheduled for Türkiye in December.
“We want to expand the sport in the country,” Mwizerwa said, encouraging people interested in MMA to join the association. He said GAMMA Rwanda planned to continue training fighters and helping them compete internationally, while preparations for a domestic championship were also under way.
According to the competition schedule reported by IGIHE, youth categories will compete first, while the senior fighters, including Rwanda’s representatives, are expected to compete on October 14 and 15.
Rwanda’s participation follows an earlier international outing in April, when Rwandan fighters competed at ANZA MMA Amateur Fight Night 008 in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside athletes from other East African countries. The event included fighters affiliated with GAMMA Rwanda. (Business News Kenya)
GAMMA Rwanda began operating in late 2025 with the aim of developing mixed martial arts in the country and training local fighters for competition.
