About NMMAF
The national federation shaping mixed martial arts in Nigeria
NMMAF exists to regulate, develop, and promote MMA across Nigeria with a serious focus on athlete welfare, safety, opportunity, and credible national growth.
Created in 2014. Recognised in 2023. Built to guide MMA in Nigeria.
Under the administration of Honourable Minister Chief Sunday Dare, the federation was recognised and endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development in January 2023.
NMMAF is the official government-recognised organisation empowered by the Federal Government of Nigeria to develop, regulate, and promote mixed martial arts nationwide and to ensure the safety of MMA activity in line with global best practices.
2014
Federation created
Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation was created on 11 March 2014 to establish a national structure for the sport.
2023
Federal recognition
In January 2023, NMMAF was recognised and endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.
Today
National mandate
NMMAF is empowered to develop, regulate, and promote MMA nationwide while ensuring safety and alignment with global best practice.
International standing
Connected to the global amateur MMA pathway through IMMAF
International Mixed Martial Arts Federation
International link
Part of the IMMAF pathway
As a member of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, NMMAF is aligned with recognised standards, athlete safety, and a credible pathway for international progression.
Vision
Build a world-class MMA ecosystem
Safety. Standards. Athlete welfare.
NMMAF’s vision is to develop, regulate, and promote mixed martial arts in Nigeria to a world-class standard by protecting athlete welfare, setting and monitoring rules and regulations, ensuring fairness and high performance, maintaining strong medical and safety standards, training officials, and licensing promoters and MMA training clubs.
Mission
Regulate the sport and create real opportunity
Jobs. Pathways. Medals.
The federation’s mission is to promote, regulate, and develop mixed martial arts in Nigeria to a world-class standard while creating jobs in the ecosystem and opening pathways for Nigerian youth and athletes to win national, continental, and international medals.
Social positive change
A sport platform for character, access, and equality
NMMAF aims to use mixed martial arts in Nigeria for positive social change by helping to establish opportunity, education, equality, and good governance across the sport.
The federation is committed to giving individuals and young people a safe, enjoyable, and well-regulated environment in which to develop mentally and physically.
National pathway
From state pathways to international competition
The federation will regularly provide opportunities that lead to national team selection from all 36 states of the federation and the FCT through the network and support of state associations and training clubs.
This pathway allows athletes to showcase their skills while representing their states, clubs, and Nigeria on the international stage.