ANZA Pro Nights 3, held at Nairobi's Village Market rooftop on September 19, 2026, made history with all eight professional bouts ending in explosive first-round stoppages. The event featured 16 elite fighters from six African nations, including Kenya, Angola, Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar, and South Sudan. Kenyan bantamweight star George "The Maverick" Itumo headlined the event, showcasing technical brilliance and rapid-fire stoppages.
Itumo capped off the relentless card by tapping out Angola's Jorge Correia via armbar in the main event, cementing Kenya's position as the burgeoning epicenter of East African mixed martial arts. Other notable fights included Rashid Mlegelo of Tanzania defeating Kennedy Serunyange of Uganda via featherweight TKO, and Brian Munyi of Kenya defeating Cyplian Katumba of Uganda via featherweight TKO.
The event marked a pivotal turning point for the promotion's long-term growth across the continent. ANZA MMA founder Peng Chen announced the official launch of branded promotion championship belts set to debut at their next major event in December 2026. This establishes a concrete ranking system for emerging athletes climbing the ranks in East Africa.
The introduction of official ANZA championship belts is another step in building the identity and legacy of the Pro Fight Nights. Chen emphasized that the promotion is building a platform where fighters can compete, develop, and be seen. The event was broadcast worldwide via livestream with commentary from Alex Holi, Joe De Bestt, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Julio DeSouza.
Legendary African MMA pioneer Demarte "The Wolf" Pena served as referee for the night, presiding over a series of rapid finishes. Pena is a former EFC and ARES World Champion. The event was sanctioned under the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation, solidifying ANZA MMA's role as a key driver of African combat sports.
The promotion has solidified its role as a vital pathway for homegrown talent to gain continental visibility and build professional records. With eight decisive victories in the books and gold title belts arriving in December, ANZA MMA has set a new benchmark for professional fight production in East Africa. The event packed the Village Market with martial arts fans, local celebrities, and international dignitaries.
In one of the most anticipated professional debuts of the evening, Angola's Daniela Mandanji submitted Uganda's Rebecca Amongi via rear-naked choke. Mandanji was fresh off her gold-medal run at the 2025 IMMAF World Championships. The event showcased a relentless masterclass in submission grappling and heavy-striking knockouts, marking a significant milestone for African combat sports.
Key points
- George Itumo leads ANZA Pro Nights 3 with a clinical bantamweight armbar against Angola's Jorge Correia.
- All eight professional bouts at ANZA Pro Nights 3 ended in explosive first-round stoppages.
- ANZA MMA to introduce branded promotion championship belts at their next major event in December 2026.
