African mixed martial arts promotion Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) has entered a multi-year global broadcast partnership with DAZN that expands the international reach of African MMA.
Under the agreement, EFC events are streaming on DAZN in more than 200 markets worldwide, excluding Sub-Saharan Africa and Poland. EFC has operated for more than 16 years as one of Africa’s most established MMA promotions.
The partnership pairs EFC’s development of African talent with DAZN’s global distribution platform, a combination EFC President Cairo Howarth said is designed to accelerate the promotion’s international growth.
Howarth said EFC has spent years developing athletes capable of competing on the global stage and that the agreement provides the exposure needed to showcase African MMA to a broader audience.
EFC Partners With DAZN To Expand African MMA Reach
The expanded distribution is expected to increase visibility for fighters, strengthen commercial opportunities and introduce the promotion to new audiences worldwide. Howarth said African MMA has consistently produced elite-level athletes but has not received sustained global exposure.
Greater international reach could also strengthen athletes’ personal brands and sponsorship opportunities while attracting additional investment into the regional MMA ecosystem.
As part of its long-term strategy, EFC plans to invest in athlete development, production quality and fan engagement while serving as a pathway for African fighters pursuing global careers.
That vision extends beyond the current agreement. Howarth said the long-term goal is to establish EFC as a globally recognized combat sports brand while maintaining its African identity.
“We want EFC to be the first destination people think of when they think about African MMA,” Howarth said. “Our long-term vision is to build a globally recognized sports brand that remains authentically African while competing with the best combat sports organizations in the world.”
He added that expanded distribution could support entry into new markets and larger-scale events across Africa as demand grows.
DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev said the partnership aligns with the platform’s strategy of expanding its portfolio of fast-growing sports alongside its established combat sports offerings.
“DAZN is the global home of sport. Alongside enhancing our portfolio of top-tier fight sport content, this partnership with EFC reflects our commitment to supporting fast-growing sports. We are helping EFC expand their global reach and introduce elite African MMA to fans around the world,” Segev said.
