Mr. Ife Obiudo, Chief Executive Officer, OFU Entertainment, has promised to make the popular Mixed Martial Art (MMA) a permanent feature of Nigerian sports.
Obiudo said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday on the backdrop of the successful hosting of the maiden Lagos Street Fight.
NAN reports that the maiden MMA event tagged, ‘Lagos Street Fight’ made its debut on Saturday at the National Stadium, Lagos, with over 10 fighters in the octagon.
Obiudo said the combat sport, which is popular in Europe, America and Asia, had many followers in Nigeria.
According to him, this is enough reason to stage more of the fights fashioned after the popular Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) fights in Nigeria.
“The MMA fights on Saturday experienced a huge lift in awareness as some well-conditioned fighters thrilled audiences at the stadium.
“By the end of the first fight, the crowd had seen enough to be convinced of what the future held for them.
“The regular physical exercise participants and footballers abandoned their routines to mass around the MMA cage for more entertainment.
“The event at the National Stadium is a prelude to an international MMA action which will hold on Dec. 4 at the Balmoral Convention Centre of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos,” he said.
Obiudo said he was pleased with the turnout at the maiden edition as he appealed to corporate Nigeria and various organs of government in the country to join hands with him.
“The MMA and other combat sports need more support so that they can be repackaged into a huge employer of labour.
“As a big fan of combat sports, especially MMA, I have always wanted to invest in the sports with the sole purpose of engaging youths so that they can be gainfully employed.
“The Dec. 4 event at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos will blow the minds of many because we have lined up grade A international fighters who are guaranteed to produce top class entertainment for audiences.
“My vision for the sport is to see the popular on-screen UFC fights re-created in Nigeria,” he said.
NAN reports that Gideon Emmanuel knocked out Sodiq Mohammed to win the 61 kg category.
Also, the entertaining all ladies K1 affairs saw 2021 National Sports Festival (NSF) gold medalist in Kickboxing, Juliet Chukwu, defeat Jane Osigwe in split decision.
Also, two top Nigerian fighters, Ikenna Micheal and Emmanuel Osuji, have been penciled for the Dec. 4 Slugfest showpiece. (NAN)
