Rwanda steps up preparations for 2026 MMA World Championships

Rwanda has stepped up preparations for the 2026 Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) World Championships after 32 fighters took part in a two-day training programme organised by the Rwanda Mixed Martial Arts Association (GAMMA Rwanda) in Kigali.

The training, held on November 7–8, 2026, aimed to improve the technical abilities of local fighters and strengthen the country’s preparations for the international competition scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, from December 1–7, 2026.

The programme brought together 32 athletes and was conducted by international MMA coaches from Uganda, with participants receiving technical guidance intended to improve their understanding and performance in the sport.

GAMMA Rwanda President Dieudonné Mwizerwa described the training as successful, noting that the level of participation and the growing interest in MMA demonstrated the progress being made in developing the sport in the country.

“We thank everyone who participated and encourage others interested in MMA to join us. They are all welcome”, Mwizerwa said.

He added that the association intends to organise more training programmes to strengthen the capacity of athletes, coaches and referees, stressing that developing the sport requires investment in all areas.

“Such training programmes will continue because GAMMA Rwanda is committed to developing MMA by improving knowledge and skills among athletes, coaches and referees”, he added.

Mwizerwa also revealed that the association has identified potential athletes for the world championships and is working to mobilise the financial resources required to send a Rwandan team to Turkey.

“We have identified the athletes, and we are now mobilising resources to see whether Rwanda can be represented at the competition”, he said.

The training attracted participants from outside Rwanda, including two Congolese athletes, two Cameroonians and two Ugandans, who joined the programme as coaches.

The development programme comes as Rwanda seeks to establish a stronger foundation in a sport that is gaining international recognition.

Mwizerwa said the association plans to make MMA more accessible to young people, with participation starting from the age of eight through different age and weight categories.

“We want to introduce MMA to young people so that we can build a strong foundation for the future of the sport”, he said.

MMA combines techniques from different combat disciplines, including boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Although its roots are often associated with ancient Greek Pankration, modern MMA gained worldwide attention following the launch of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993.

The sport subsequently developed into a regulated international competition, with amateur rules introduced by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in 2014.

In Africa, the sport has continued to expand through continental competitions and national federations.

IMMAF held its first African Championships in 2016, while GAMMA organised its inaugural African Championships in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in October 2026, attracting delegations from across the continent.

The African Confederation of Mixed Martial Arts (AFCOMMA) was also officially established in Abidjan on October 13, 2026, with Rwanda’s Mwizerwa appointed as one of its executive board members.

In Rwanda, GAMMA Rwanda began developing the sport in October 2025, marking the beginning of organised efforts to identify and prepare local fighters for international competitions.

The country made its debut at the 2026 GAMMA African Championships in Côte d’Ivoire, an important step towards gaining experience on the continental stage.

The association now plans to introduce regular competitions from January 2027 across different age categories as it seeks to expand participation and build a stronger pool of athletes, coaches and referees.

Photos

GAMMA Rwanda President, Dieudonné Mwizerwa