In a significant moment for combat sports across Africa, SuperSport has announced a landmark partnership with Usman Kamaru-led African KnockOut (AKO), the continent’s premier Pan-African Mixed Martial Art (MMA) promotion.
Co-founded by Africa’s first UFC world champion and AKO President, Kamaru Usman, African KnockOut has grown into a significant platform showcasing elite African MMA talent from over 21 countries.
Reacting to the new partnership with SuperSports, Usman said this partnership with SuperSport isn’t just about building a platform, but about unlocking the full potential of African MMA.
“It’s about inspiring a new generation of champions and creating a homegrown ecosystem that can rival the best in the world. There is no better partner for this Pan-African expansion than SuperSport — their reach, reputation, and deep connection to African audiences make them the perfect match for our vision at AKO,” Usman added.
He said this strategic alliance will see SuperSport and AKO collaborate to deliver a dynamic broadcast experience, encompassing:
According to him, it will showcase live fight nights, compelling feature content, and episodic storytelling centred on AKO athletes.
He said there will also be a territorial fight card design aimed at engaging local fan bases across SuperSport’s key African markets as well as extensive promotional integration, including weigh-ins, open workouts, and behind-the-scenes access, to drive multi-platform visibility.
With SuperSport now serving as the exclusive linear broadcaster across Sub-Saharan Africa, this partnership positions AKO to reach broader audiences and become a key offering within SuperSport’s diverse sports portfolio.
This alliance is set to usher in a new era for mixed martial arts on the continent, enhancing fan engagement, expanding storytelling opportunities, and creating dynamic platforms for brand activation.
The Chief Executive Officer of SuperSport, Rendani Ramovha, said the station believes AKO’s fresh, culturally attuned brand of MMA will offer compelling content for our viewers.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Kamaru Usman and AKO. His vision aligns perfectly with SuperSport’s mission to deliver world-class sports content to African audiences and provide a robust platform for African talent,” he said
Ramovha emphasised that as a prominent figure and the global face of AKO, Usman brings significant authenticity and star power to this partnership.
“For brands, this alliance creates a compelling and culturally resonant platform on SuperSport to connect with audiences continent-wide,” he said.
Also speaking, AKO Partnerships Director, Jeremy Bean, said this is a defining moment for Pan-African MMA.
“With SuperSport’s backing, we are confident in delivering the scale, compelling storytelling, and commercial reach needed to elevate African MMA to a global stage,” he added.