Bayelsa State secured the top position in the national mixed martial arts rankings during the second edition of the Sunday Dare Open Championship. According to Punch, the host state collected 15 total medals in Yenagoa. This haul consisted of eight gold, three silver and four bronze finishes, placing them ahead of all other participating regions in the final standings.
Delta State finished in second place with 12 medals, including five gold. Enugu State matched that total for third place, though their distribution differed, featuring three gold and six silver. Other states also achieved top-tier results; Akwa Ibom took three gold, while Imo and Lagos each claimed one. Punch reported that the competition involved over 200 athletes representing 27 different states.
The tournament also functioned as a selection process for the 23rd National Sports Festival. This larger event is scheduled for Enugu State between late November and mid-December 2026. Dr Peter Akpe, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, closed the event and highlighted the sport's expansion in the region. He described the state as a hub for the discipline and predicted that local athletes would capture most of the available gold medals at the upcoming national games.
Chief Sunday Dare, the federation’s grand patron, welcomed the sport’s inclusion in the national festival. He explained that his goal during his time as Sports Minister was to help the discipline grow in Nigeria. Dare noted that he ensured the governing body met administrative requirements, such as paying dues for two years, to gain official national status.
Ambassador Henry George, the federation president, stated that hosting the event in Yenagoa showed the state’s capability to organize the 2028 National Sports Festival. He viewed the tournament as a chance to celebrate the country’s rising profile in the sport. Dr Daniel Igali, the state sports commissioner, added that the competition allowed athletes to gauge the level of difficulty they would encounter in Enugu, where 32 gold medals are reportedly up for grabs.