African MMA brand AKO signs a broadcasting deal with SuperSport

African MMA fans will now have greater access to mixed martial arts content, following a landmark deal between leading sports broadcaster SuperSport and the fast-growing Nigerian-based promotion, the African KnockOut Championship (AKO).

SuperSport will become the exclusive linear broadcaster for AKO across Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to expand the promotion’s reach and elevate Pan-African MMA within its diverse sports portfolio.

Mixed martial arts has experienced significant growth over recent years, captivating millions of fans — especially younger, digitally connected audiences. The sport’s popularity has surged across Africa, fuelled by the success of continental UFC champions such as Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya, Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou, and South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis.

Major MMA hubs like South Africa, Nigeria, and Angola continue to grow, while interest spreads rapidly in countries including Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt. According to the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), 24 African national federations actively govern and organise both professional and amateur MMA events across the continent.

On the professional front, the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) has long been the flagship MMA promotion showcasing elite African talent alongside international stars. SuperSport already offers coverage of EFC, UFC, and the Professional Fighters League (PFL), with AKO set to become the latest premium addition following its broadcast partnership.

AKO President and Co-founder Kamaru Usman — Africa’s first-ever UFC champion — emphasised the partnership’s transformative potential: “This isn’t just about building a platform; it’s about unlocking the full potential of African MMA.

"We want to inspire a new generation of champions and create a homegrown ecosystem that can rival the best in the world. There is no better partner than SuperSport, whose reach, reputation, and connection to African audiences perfectly align with our vision.”

Founded in 2020 in Lagos, Nigeria, AKO began as an MMA talent reality TV show called African Knockout, becoming Netflix’s first non-scripted sports reality show. The promotion expanded with “FaceOff” Fight Nights in 2022 before launching the AKO Championship in 2023, featuring five weight divisions and showcasing elite fighters from over 21 African countries.

AKO’s partnership with SuperSport promises a dynamic broadcast experience, combining live fight nights, engaging feature content, and episodic storytelling. SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha said, “We are delighted to partner with Kamaru Usman and AKO. His vision complements SuperSport’s mission to deliver world-class sports content and provide a robust platform for African talent.”

Jeremy Bean, AKO Partnerships Director, described the collaboration as a “defining moment for Pan-African MMA,” expressing confidence that SuperSport’s support would help scale the sport’s storytelling and commercial reach on a global stage.

Meanwhile, SuperSport’s parent company, MultiChoice, is considering unbundling its sports channels from traditional DStv packages to retain subscribers amid increasing competition and economic pressures.

This move would enable customers to purchase entertainment packages with optional sports add-ons, potentially making sports content more affordable. The decision is expected by the end of the 2026 financial year.

The next AKO event, AKO 10, is scheduled for August 23rd at the Velodrome in Abuja, Nigeria. Highlights include the AKO Lightweight Title fight between Jean Do Santos and Jibrin Inuwa Baba, and the Interim Women’s Bantamweight Title bout between Gasmire Diatta and Andre Mukisi.