East African mixed martial arts talent took center stage at ANZA MMA’s Amateur Fight Nights 008 held at The Alchemist in Westlands, Nairobi (Sunday 26 April 2026). The event showcased a broad spectrum of talent, with Kenya emerging as a dominant force as fighters from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Italy representing multiple gyms, including Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Mombasa Sharks, GAMMA Rwanda, Kigali BJJ, Guardian Uganda, Hardcore Gym, Tristar Gym Nairobi, Shadow Strikers and Kenya Wrestling Team, brought their best fight in the cage.

The electrifying event brought together lovers of combat sports and MMA, alongside special guests, who included representatives from The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports(Deputy Director of Sports in Kenya Joel Atuti and his counterpart Mr. Muriithi), PFL Africa (Daniel Kijo, Director of Marketing and Operations) and Kenya’s rising and first global MMA star Felista Mugo, who just scored a dominant win at PFL Pretoria.

None of the fighters came to wait for a judge’s decision, as eight out of the nine fights ended in either submission, TKO or KO, making the night memorable for fans and media, as all fighters went for the finish.

In the featherweight main event, Kenya’s Samuel Laurian of Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy shined, submitting Rwanda’s Jonathan Ntakirutimana of GAMMA Rwanda. In the welterweight co-main event, Italy’s Lorenzo Cardanelli representing Kigali BJJ edged out Kenya’s Amos Eboso by submission, in a thrilling rematch. Lorenzo and Amos Eboso first faced each other at the very first ANZA MMA June of 2025, where Lorenzo also submitted Amos Eboso.

One of the night’s fastest finishes came from Shadrack Otieno, who secured a blistering lightweight victory with a 30-second rear-naked choke over Aman Niyigena. In the last fight of the main card, Jared Otieno lost to Uganda’s Shaffik Assuma by disqualification in a highly charged flyweight bout. 

In the only match up decided by the judges, Bantamweight Matthew Lwano outclassed Maina Morgan. Steve Munyi delivered a powerful TKO win over Kamya Pison while Martin Mwanza capped off the prelims with a TKO victory over Djibril Binego.

FULL FIGHT CARD RESULTS

Main Card

• Featherweight: Samuel Laurian (Kenya) def. Jonathan Ntakirutimana (Rwanda) by submission
• Welterweight: Lorenzo Cardanelli (Italy) def. Amos Eboso (Kenya) by submission
• Lightweight: Shadrack Otieno (Kenya) def. Aman Niyigena (Rwanda) by submission
• Flyweight: Jared Otieno (Kenya) lost to Shaffik Assuma (Uganda) by disqualification

Preliminary Card

• Bantamweight: Martin Mwanza (Kenya) def. Djibril Binego (Rwanda) by TKO
• Flyweight: Steve Munyi (Kenya) def. Kamya Pison (Kenya) by TKO
• Bantamweight: Matthew Lwano (Kenya) def. Maina Morgan (Kenya)
• Featherweight: Eric Ngari (Kenya) def. KO Gordon Juma (Kenya) 
• Featherweight: Kennedy Adaki (Kenya) def. Eugine Oyugi (Kenya) by submission