Bayelsa State has won the 2nd Sunday Dare National Mixed Martial Arts Open Championship. The event took place on Sunday in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Bayelsa topped the medals table with 15 medals, which included eight gold, three silver, and four bronze. Delta State came second with 12 medals, made up of five gold, four silver, and three bronze.
Enugu State finished third with 12 medals as well, featuring three gold, six silver, and three bronze.
Akwa Ibom State secured three gold medals, while Imo and Lagos states each won one gold medal at the championship.
A total of 27 states, with over 200 athletes, took part in the competition. This event also served as a qualifier for the 23rd National Sports Festival, set to hold in Enugu State from November 27 to December 11, 2026.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr Peter Akpe, closed the championship and expressed his happiness about the growth of mixed martial arts in the state. He said this development shows the government's commitment to promoting various sports.
Akpe called Bayelsa the home of mixed martial arts and said he believes the state will win most of the gold medals available in the sport at the upcoming National Sports Festival in Enugu.
He congratulated the athletes for their hard work and dedication throughout the competition. He also praised the President of the Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation, Ambassador Henry George, and the federation's Grand Patron, Chief Sunday Dare, for helping to include MMA in the National Sports Festival.
The deputy governor mentioned that the state government is working to maintain the strong performances of Bayelsa athletes ahead of the Enugu festival. He added that watching the athletes compete reminded him of his own days as a mixed martial arts athlete.
"I am happy that Mixed Martial Arts has been included in the 23rd National Sports Festival in Enugu. I want to thank the president and the grand patron for this great achievement. I am sure that Bayelsa will win 30 gold medals out of the 32 available in the sport, while other states will compete for the rest," he said.
Chief Sunday Dare, the Grand Patron of the federation, welcomed the inclusion of mixed martial arts in the upcoming NSF. He described this as an important step for the sport in Nigeria.
Dare shared that when he was Minister of Sports, his goal was to see MMA grow in Nigeria. He worked to make sure the federation met all the requirements, including paying dues for two years, to gain recognition as a national sports federation.
The Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications and Orientation praised the Bayelsa State Government for its commitment to sports development. He said sports can unite people and promote growth.
In his welcome message, the President of the Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation, Ambassador Henry George, noted that hosting the championship in Yenagoa shows Bayelsa’s readiness to host the National Sports Festival in 2028.
He added that the tournament was not just a championship but also a chance to celebrate Nigeria’s growing reputation in mixed martial arts. He pointed out that Nigeria has quickly become a strong player in the sport.
Dr Daniel Igali, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, described MMA as a mix of different combat sports. He said hosting the championship in Yenagoa has helped athletes see what level of competition they will face in Enugu.
Igali mentioned that with 32 gold medals available at the National Sports Festival, this championship was a good chance for athletes to test their skills before the national competition.
He also said that this event allowed coaches, technical officials, and other stakeholders to share ideas and improve the standards of mixed martial arts in Nigeria.
In separate interviews, gold medallists Jason Maxwell and Benheart Elliot said the championship was a great platform for athletes from different states. They felt it allowed them to show their talents, compete nationally, and gain the experience they need for international competitions.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇