The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation could be bringing one of its biggest continental events to West Africa in 2027.
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown has traveled to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for preliminary discussions regarding the potential hosting of the IMMAF African Championships in April 2027.
Brown joined representatives from the country’s national MMA federation for meetings with government and sporting stakeholders as IMMAF begins assessing whether Côte d’Ivoire has the infrastructure and resources necessary to host the championship.
The discussions covered potential venues, athlete accommodations and transportation, visa assistance, medical services, security, broadcast capabilities and volunteer support.
However, the visit is about more than bringing an international tournament to Abidjan.
IMMAF is also looking at the long-term development of amateur MMA in Côte d’Ivoire and throughout Africa. That includes expanding opportunities for youth and women, improving education for coaches and officials, strengthening safeguarding and anti-doping programs, and establishing pathways for athletes to progress from grassroots competition to their national teams and the international stage.
“I have been extremely encouraged by the welcome we have received in Côte d’Ivoire and particularly by the number of key stakeholders who came together to discuss the future development of MMA,” Brown said.
“Our ambition is not simply to bring an event into a country and leave. We want to create a lasting legacy through youth development, education, safeguarding, opportunities for women and girls, and a pathway for athletes to progress from their communities to their national teams and ultimately the world stage.”
Hosting the African Championships would give Côte d’Ivoire an opportunity to establish itself as a larger player in the development of amateur MMA on the continent.
“We are now exploring the possibility of bringing the IMMAF African Championships to Côte d’Ivoire in April 2027,” Brown said. “This visit gives us the opportunity to assess the infrastructure, meet the relevant stakeholders and understand what can be achieved together.”
Brown also suggested that a successful partnership could potentially lead to larger IMMAF events in Côte d’Ivoire in the future.
“I would love to see Côte d’Ivoire become an important centre for the development of MMA in Africa and, if we can successfully build that pathway together, potentially host even larger IMMAF international events in the future,” he said.
No hosting agreement has been finalized. Brown’s visit will continue with additional meetings and assessments of venues, infrastructure and other operational requirements before IMMAF makes a decision.
For now, Côte d’Ivoire has emerged as a potential destination for the IMMAF African Championships in April 2027, while the federation continues its push to expand structured amateur MMA across the continent.