The Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Pro MMA Team has announced that two of Kenya’s top MMA athletes – Ouhsummer Ali Abad, aka Ninja Turtle, and George ‘The Maverick’ Itumo – have officially signed with African Knockout (AKO).
The duo will make their highly anticipated debut at the Pistis Conference Center in Lagos, Nigeria, on June 13, 2025, at 6pm.
AKO, Africa’s leading mixed martial arts promotion co-owned by Nigerian-American UFC legend Kamaru Usman, stands as the continent’s premier MMA platform, captivating audiences across Africa and beyond.
The upcoming debut of Ouhsummer Ali Abad and George Itumo marks a major milestone for Kenyan and East African combat sports. With all formalities now complete, both fighters are currently in an intensive training camp in Nairobi, preparing for their highly anticipated AKO debut.
“Signing with AKO is a great opportunity to show Africa and the world the level East African MMA has reached in the past few years,”Ouhsummer Ali Abad said.
“The plan is to dominate the African MMA scene before moving into the biggest world leagues like PFL and UFC,” George Itumo added on their aspiration.
This highly anticipated event will showcase 18 fighters from across Africa, also representing countries such as Nigeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo and Egypt – all eager to assert their dominance in the competitive AKO arena.
“AKO9 is more than just an event; it’s a bold declaration of the future of African MMA. With unparalleled energy, elite athletes, and top-tier production, we’re not merely putting on a show – we’re igniting a movement,” AKO COO Rayan Fayad said.
Historically, no East African fighter has claimed victory inside the AKO cage – that narrative is about to change. George and Ouhsummer are not just entering the arena to compete; they are poised to make history, representing Kenya and East Africa with pride and aiming to dominate on one of the most prestigious platforms in African MMA.
Kenya’s martial arts scene has seen a remarkable rise in 2025, driven by a dedicated team of fighters from Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy and One Tribe BJJ. The team has delivered standout performances across Uganda, Egypt, and Qatar. At the AJP Tour Africa Continental Jiu-Jitsu Championship held in Cairo in February, Team Kenya emerged as the top-ranked African team, securing an impressive 13 medals – including six golds. Leading the charge was Ouhsummer Ali Abad, who delivered a dominant performance with double gold. He continued his winning streak at the AJP World Tour in Qatar in April, clinching back-to-back double victories. These achievements have propelled him to #7 in the AJP global professional rankings — the highest ever for a Kenyan athlete in the sport.
The matches will be live-streamed on YouTube on fight night, and we call out to all fans to tune in to show support. Follow Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu via Instagram for more details.
Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy(NJA) is a premier martial arts school offering world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defence instruction in Nairobi, Kenya.
NJA provides a state-of-the-art facility and an ideal training environment for students of all levels. The academy offers a comprehensive schedule of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Striking, and Self-Defence courses for both children and adults, fostering a supportive community where individuals can learn, grow, and thrive through the art of Jiu-Jitsu.
With a team of experienced coaches, NJA places a strong emphasis on both physical and mental development, helping students build confidence, self-discipline, and respect. Whether for beginners or seasoned practitioners, Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy is committed to cultivating skill, discipline, and a lifelong passion for martial arts.
AKO Championship, meanwhile, is Africa’s premier MMA organisation, dedicated to discovering, developing, and promoting martial arts talent across the continent. Co-founded by Kamaru Usman – the first African-born UFC Champion – AKO is committed to elevating African combat sports and creating world-class pathways for emerging fighters.
Renowned for its top-tier production and athlete-focused approach, AKO has a proven track record of launching talent onto the global stage, including into the UFC. Beyond its headline MMA events, AKO also produces The AKO Show – a high-energy sports reality series that made history as the first non-scripted Nigerian sports show featured on Netflix, expanding its reach and appeal to audiences worldwide.
