Belgrade: Angolan Armando Carlos Diogo has been elected vice-president of the African Mixed Martial Arts Confederation (AMMAC) during the International Federation's General Assembly in Belgrade, Serbia, ANGOP has learnt. Diogo, who is the president of the Angolan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (FAMMA), vied for the position against candidates from South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, and Morocco, ultimately securing an absolute majority of votes. According to Angola Press News Agency, Diogo's election underscores Angola's ongoing contributions to the advancement of mixed martial arts both continentally and globally. The Angolan Amateur MMA Team is currently ranked first in Africa and globally, with an impressive 14,660 points, outpacing countries traditionally strong in the sport like Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Angola has maintained its dominance in mixed martial arts by emerging as three-time champions at the 8th edition of the African Championship, held in Luanda in May 2025. The te am amassed a total of 87 medals, including 37 gold, 35 silver, and 15 bronze, surpassing competitors from the DRC and South Africa. In youth categories, the Angolan team stands third in the world junior ranking and is notably the only African nation in the top ten of the youth category. At the World Championship in Georgia, the team secured three gold, one silver, and seven bronze medals. Notable athletes from the team comprise Maria Kitoko, Daniela Mandanji, Mayra Lemos, Stélvia Munhanha, and Milfa Nicolau. Angola is a prominent player in the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), enhancing its influence in global decision-making within the sport. Armando Carlos Diogo's journey in martial arts began in 1994 with Japanese ju-jitsu, and he achieved a significant victory at the International Open in Guangzhou, China, in 2013. He was a national under-69 kg category champion for five consecutive years. With an anthropology degree, Master Diogo developed a vision of sport as a tool for social tran sformation. He has received training in sports management, technical leadership, and federative administration. Elected FAMMA's chairman in 2020, Diogo has been instrumental in establishing Angola as a formidable player in amateur MMA internationally. In 2023, Diogo was elected Director of the African MMA Confederation, further consolidating his role in developing the sport across Africa. By October 2025, he was also elected Director of IMMAF for the Military Games. Master Diogo mentors the Zero Crime Project, a social initiative aimed at reintegrating at-risk youth through sport. This project gained global recognition in 2022 and earned the Best Sports Leader in Angola award in 2024, along with an honorable mention worldwide in Montenegro.
