MMA returns to Bukom Arena with Ghana versus Nigeria showdown

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fever is set to grip Accra tomorrow night as the Bukom Boxing Arena plays host to another explosive night of combat sports organised by Global Warrior Champions (GWC), hosted by Ghanaian music icon Reggie Rockstone.

The headline act promises fireworks as Ghana’s own Emmanuel Lamptey squares off with Nigerian powerhouse Ben Bazi in an international middleweight (84kg) clash that is expected to test both men to the limit.

In May, 61-year-old Rockstone turned back the clock in spectacular fashion as he made a jaw-dropping MMA debut at the Bukom Boxing Arena, sealing a second-round knockout victory over the much younger William Adom Nortey in a 65kg exhibition fight. 

This time, however, the ‘Grandpapa of Hiplife’ will share the spotlight as host of the night in fulfilment of his promise to support the growth of MMA in Ghana, having declared his lifelong passion for martial arts, dating back to his secondary school days.

Tough contests

The undercard of what could be aptly described as a Ghana vs Nigeria showdown is stacked with mouth-watering contests as Richard Asiedu (Ghana) locks horns with Felix Okoria (Nigeria) at 70kg, while Cote d’Ivoire’s Kone Memon takes on Benin’s Affognon John Kennedy in another bruising 84kg battle.

Ghanaian William Nortey, bronze medallist at the 2023 African Games, faces off with Nigeria’s Sadiq Mohammed in a fiery 60kg clash. Fans can also look forward to an all-Ghana showdown between Selorm Darko and Edmund Akator (70kg), plus a 65kg war between Ivorian Mensah Aka Prince and Nigeria’s Adim Chukwuebuka.

At the event launched in Accra, MMA Ghana President, Jeff Taylor, declared the sport’s growth across Africa “unstoppable,” pointing to successful events already staged in Congo, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria.

Mr Taylor urged Ghanaian fans to embrace MMA, insisting it was a discipline with strict rules and far safer than many assume.