Rwanda is participating in the African Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Championship for the first time, with the competition taking place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from October 12 to 16, 2026.
Two fighters, Binego Abdoul Karim and Binego Djibril, accompanied by coach Sinzi Tharcisse, are representing Rwanda at the inaugural continental championship.
The athletes, who are members of GAMMA Rwanda, departed Kigali on October 11, 2026, ahead of the competition, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 13.
The championship has been organised by the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), in partnership with Côte d’Ivoire’s national martial arts federation.
GAMMA Rwanda President Mwizerwa Dieudonné told IGIHE that participating in the continental championship was a historic achievement, particularly because the sport was introduced in Rwanda only recently.
“We are among the first participants, and this is historic because it is the first African MMA Championship, and we have managed to take part. I am confident that we will return with victories. The fighters have been training well, and we have been preparing for this competition for some time,” Mwizerwa said.
He described the championship as a starting point for Rwanda’s participation in more international competitions, adding that the association hoped to prepare athletes for a world championship scheduled to take place in Türkiye in December.
“We want to expand the sport across the country. We encourage anyone interested in MMA in Rwanda to join us. GAMMA is here to help develop the sport, improve athletes’ technical skills and enable them to compete internationally. We will also launch our national championship soon,” he said.
The African Championship will begin with youth categories on October 13, while senior athletes, including Rwanda’s representatives, are scheduled to compete on October 14 and 15.
GAMMA Rwanda was established in late 2025 to promote mixed martial arts in the country and began training athletes as part of its development programme.
Rwandan fighters first competed in an international MMA event in April 2026, when they took part in Anza Fight Nights 008 in Nairobi, Kenya. The competition brought together fighters from across East Africa.
Rwanda competed in the amateur category, with Ntakirutimana Jonathan, Niyigena Amani and Binego Djibril representing the country. Italian fighter Lorenzo also competed at the Nairobi event under the Rwandan representation, according to the report.
Rwanda’s participation in the African Championship marks another step in the development of MMA in the country as the sport’s governing association seeks to expand local competition opportunities and prepare fighters for international events.