The African Warriors Fighting Championship has announced a broadcast partnership with DAZN, a renowned world sports entertainment platform, for the streaming of the highly anticipated Dambe World Series —a tournament consisting of five events where Nigeria’s top athletes will face off against international challengers in the ancient sport of Dambe.
Originating in Nigeria, Dambe is a unique form of kickboxing that draws inspiration from traditional spear and shield combat. Fighters use one hand, wrapped in rope, to strike, while the other is reserved for defence. Kicks, often with fierce intensity, are also a key part of the combat style.
The Dambe World Series will build upon the success of AWFC’s King of Dambe event in 2024, which featured the first-ever European competitor, Luke Leyland, facing off against AWFC veteran Shagon Yellow. The electrifying bout ended with a second-round stoppage for Yellow and attracted a live audience of 10,000, with millions more tuning in online.
Founder of African Warriors Fighting Championship, Maxwell Kalu, stated, “We are incredibly excited to partner with DAZN, the global leader in sports streaming, to share AWFC Dambe with the world. Dambe is a sport with deep cultural roots and immense athletic appeal, and we can’t wait to introduce it to a global fanbase. This partnership is a key step in our mission to elevate African combat sports, and with DAZN’s unparalleled reach, we are confident that 2025 will be the year Dambe captures the attention of fans worldwide.”
Known for its cutting-edge streaming technology, DAZN will broadcast all Dambe World Series events live. The first event is scheduled for June 2025, with additional events throughout the year, culminating in a finale that will showcase the best Dambe fighters from around the world.
