DFC Africa 2026: Port Harcourt to host international MMA fight night on Boxing Day

Dynamite Fighting Championship (DFC Africa) will stage a mixed martial arts (MMA) fight night in Port Harcourt on 26 December, 2026, with fighters from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon scheduled to compete, Made In Africa Sport reports.

The event, organised in partnership with Juli Rose Hotel and Suites, will take place at the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, on Boxing Day.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the competition, DFC Africa president Henry George said Nigeria had attained Grade A federation status under the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), the sport’s world governing body.

George said the championship was part of efforts to expand MMA in Nigeria and create more opportunities for local fighters to compete against international opponents.

“We are affiliated to the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the world governing body. So Nigeria is a Grade A federation when you talk about mixed martial arts,” he said.

“Now we are here to take the sport to the next level by partnering with one of the major powerhouses in entertainment and hospitality, talking about Juli Rose.”

George described the partnership as an opportunity to develop the sport beyond Nigeria, adding that the organisers hoped to make a wider impact on the African and international MMA scene.

DFC Africa leader and Nollywood actor Sam Dede also called on young Nigerians to take an interest in the sport, which he said offered a different approach to martial arts.

“I am particularly fascinated by this sport because it is new and the techniques are different. It is a new world of martial arts altogether,” Dede said.

He recalled Nigeria’s history in martial arts and boxing and said he hoped the event would encourage more young people to participate in MMA.

“I would like this whole event to act as some kind of inspiration for them to come out and participate in this sport,” he added.

Representing the event partners, Juli Rose Hotel and Suites programme director Chindinma Azubuike said the venue was looking to establish itself as an entertainment destination beyond its hospitality services.

She said the partnership would also support the presentation of sporting and entertainment events during the festive period.

“[At] Juli Rose, we are not just a hotel. We are an entertainment destination as well as an experience destination,” Azubuike said.

According to NMMAF media head, ‎Deinma Abaku, among the confirmed match-ups are Côte d’Ivoire’s Bahbome Emmanuel against Nigeria’s Godwin Ambrose, and Cameroon‘s Ahmadu Edoja against Nigeria’s Jube Linuwa.

Two all-Nigerian contests are also scheduled, with Ruth Okon facing Tarie Alefa Balelefa, while Joshua James takes on Godspower Cornelius.

The organisers expect the event to attract fighters, sports stakeholders and spectators from Rivers State and beyond.

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