Nigeria’s latest sensation in mixed martial arts (MMA), Benjamin Edozie is still relishing his recent historic outing at the sport’s global championship in Tbilisi, Georgia, from where returned home with a lot of positives, Sports247 reports.
Although the ambitious fighter lost the 74.8kg category final to Spartak Mikayelyan of Armenia by a rear naked choke submission, Edozie, who was backed all the way by Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC), insists it was a glorious outing for him.
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Taking a look back at the elite competition, which was tagged 2025 IMMAFed Championship, Edozie said he cherished the opportunity of lifting Nigeria’s flag high, while also relishing memories of his victories over top-rated opponents from Zambia, Bulgaria, England and Tajikistan.
After his stunning victory over an arch-rival from England in the quarter-finals, Edozie shocked everyone with his semi-finals defeat of Tajikistan’s highly rated gold medal hope, Safar-Makhsum Safarov, and the Nigerian ace disclosed that his amazing surge was simply due to his improvements in all aspects of MMA.
Edozie retorted, “I’m feeling happy for this solid performance, and I’m over the moon. I gave a dull display of mixed martial arts.
“I always want to please my fans, and I put everything on display – head grips, knees, punches, take downs. I represent the new generation of mixed martial arts.”
He then noted the historic angle to his outing in Tbilisi and thanked all Nigerians who supported him to pull off the unprecedented feat, which he believes will go a long way towards motivating many young talents across the country to attempt toeing his line.
Edozie enthused, “I’m the first Nigerian athlete to ever compete at this world championship. To represent my country on that ladder means more than anything.
“There would be a lot of young kids watching me at home, being inspired. So, I want to try and beat the best people in the world … after which they can also come out and do it themselves.”
As dust settles on the stir caused by Edozie in Tbilisi, the half-caste fighter is already projecting into the future, as he submitted: “Hopefully, over the next few years, we’ll see loads of Nigerian athletes take my place and do the same thing.”
, Benjamin Edozie is still relishing his recent historic outing at the sport's global championship in Tbilisi){kind=link}