First-Round Blitz: George Itumo Leads Historic 8-Finish Spectacle at ANZA Pro Nights 3

Kenyan bantamweight star George “The Maverick” Itumo headlined an astonishing night of martial arts history as ANZA Pro Nights 3 delivered eight consecutive first-round finishes at the Village Market rooftop in Nairobi on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

Featuring 16 elite fighters across six African nations—Kenya, Angola, Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar, and South Sudan—the promotion’s biggest professional event to date combined technical brilliance with 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.

The third installment of ANZA MMA’s professional fight series brought high-stakes drama to its new open-air rooftop venue, packing the Village Market with martial arts fans, local celebrities, and international dignitaries.

Every single bout on the card failed to see a second round as athletes produced a relentless masterclass in submission grappling and heavy-striking knockouts.

Special guest and legendary African MMA pioneer Demarte “The Wolf” Pena—former EFC and ARES World Champion—served as referee for the night, presiding over a series of rapid finishes:

In one of the most anticipated professional debuts of the evening, Angola’s Daniela Mandanji—fresh off her gold-medal run at the 2025 IMMAF World Championships—wasted no time in making her mark by submitting Uganda’s Rebecca Amongi via rear-naked choke.

Beyond the octagon cage, the event marked a pivotal turning point for the promotion’s long-term growth across the continent.

Broadcast worldwide via livestream with commentary from Alex Holi, Joe De Bestt, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Julio DeSouza, ANZA MMA Founder Peng Chen took the stage to address the audience and outline the promotion’s vision.

“Tonight is another important step for ANZA MMA and for the growth of professional MMA in Africa,” said Chen. “We are building a platform where fighters can compete, develop and be seen, and the introduction of our branded belts is another step in building the identity and legacy of the Pro Fight Nights. We look forward to bringing them to the cage at our next event in December.”

The introduction of official ANZA championship belts in December 2026 establishes a concrete ranking system for emerging athletes climbing the ranks in East Africa.

Sanctioned under the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation, ANZA MMA continues to accelerate the development of combat sports across the region.

By uniting sports entertainment, grassroots athletic development, and urban lifestyle culture, events like Pro Nights 3 offer a vital pathway for homegrown talent to gain continental visibility and build professional records.

The promotion has solidified its role as a key driver of African combat sports.

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.