Cris Cyborg is optimistic about MMA growth in Africa, after she helped launch the Women's Commission at MMA Zambia Symposium

After attending the inaugural MMA Zambia Symposium, Cris Cyborg, a legend in mixed martial arts, is positive about the future growth of mixed martial arts in Africa.

The Bellator women's champion in featherweight was the guest-of-honour at the Lusaka, Zambian capital, event last November. It was held to shine more light on the sport.

Cyborg spent her time in Zambia visiting an orphanage, where she taught self-defense classes for women.

SunSport asked Cyborg, real-name Cristiane Justino about her time in Zambia. She replied, "It was [an] incredible experience, and I will be returning."

Mixed Martial Arts Zambia 'will encourage more Zambian girls to take up MMA', in addition to growing the sport.

The launch of Africa's only Women's Commission coincided with the first symposium of MMA Zambia.

Cyborg, a former UFC champ, stated that "I believe women's MMA is going to grow a lot." You must dedicate yourself to training and trust your coach. He will tell you when it's time to start fighting. Believe in the journey and trust it.

"Train hard, work hard and be prepared for the fight.

"And for MMA to grow in Africa, it needs more people like Ben Bush."

Additionally, the newly government-recognised association aims to utilise the sport 'as a metaphor for life lessons and [raises] awareness on topics including gender-based violence, drugs, and alcohol abuse, mental health, and other issues which affect disadvantaged children'.

Cyborg resonated with the MMA Zambia aims, in particular its vulnerable youth programme. He knows from firsthand how MMA empowers those less fortunate.

She stated that being a world champion is an enormous responsibility. No matter what position God places you, if He makes you a champion it's not for you, it's to make a difference in this world and change lives. But I want to be the Champion of Hearts for my people.

"That's why MMAZ (Mixed Martial Arts Zambia), Benjamin is doing a great job here in Zambia using this sport of MMA.

"This sport helped my get strong, even though I find it hard, but I continue to work to be stronger each day.

"So, this project helps empower vulnerable youth and to bring awareness about the sport in this country to its people and their communities as a tool to positive social change.

"It's this part of life that I love the most. Helping others wherever they are and using my platform and experience to inspire people to have a better future.

Cyborg's presence at the symposium was a significant step forward for Mixed Martial Arts Zambia.

President Benjamin Bush stated: "This was huge because Cris represents everything that we stand for in terms of gender-based violence awareness and female empowerment."

"It was an ideal opportunity to launch the Women's Commission in Africa, which is the first of its kind."

MMA Zambia joined the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation in July and has already made significant progress towards their goal of using the sport to empower youth and promote social change.

Bush stated that MMA is a hot topic in October. "If it's not football, then everybody is talking about Mixed Martial Arts."

Young men and women want to become football stars, or the next Amanda Nunes or Israel Adesanya. It's literally that important.

"We want that momentum to empower Zambia's youth, to use sport for positive social change and economic empowerment through sport, and to create future champions.

"The government recognizes us and gives us the authority and support to implement functional development and regulatory structures safely. In other words, MMA Zambia is able to ensure the integrity of the sport while making a difference.

"We can literally integrate values, training programs, and progression paths into the sport's growth that will empower young people regardless of whether or not they become successful athletes."

Currently, there are only three gyms that can teach MMA to the IMMAF standard in Zambia. This has prompted a push to get certification for coaches in the country.

Bush is positive that MMA Zambia and the sport will have a profound impact on the lives of young people in Zambia.

He stated that MMA Zambia believes that MMA can transform lives through its athletic endeavors, but also through its inspirational qualities and values, as well as the work ethic and sportsmanship in combat sports, and the personalities it will create.

"Zimbabwe is a developing country, so the rich/poor gap is substantial and many people live below poverty line.

"This can lead to many issues like youth unemployment, children taking the role of providers, street vigrancy, and many more issues that lead to fractured communities, such as drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues, GBV, and other problems. These issues can be addressed directly by MMA.

We wouldn't be a productive federation without caring about the people around us. We want to empower others through our platform. We also want to work with the government and international partners to advance their long-term goals for youth development.

"The popularity of MMA can be used as a way to inspire others. A program for vulnerable youth has been developed that uses MMA to address all of these issues, as well as other related ones, such mental health, drug abuse, literacy, entrepreneurship, and gender-based violence.

"We plan to incorporate this into our sport development strategy encouraging program adoption across the country. We aim to be role models for the future. We are determined to make a positive difference in the world and we are thankful to IMMAF for helping us achieve our goals."