UNLEASH-002 to kick off in February 2026

• Rise of a Sri Lankan combat sports movement as global combat sports culture accelerates, and corporate partnership opportunities expand

Sri Lanka’s combat sports sector is entering a new phase of structured growth, driven by increasing participation, rising audience interest, and the emergence of professionally managed platforms. 

At the forefront of this evolution is UNLEASH, a Sri Lankan combat sports promotion brand established to build a sustainable, nationally recognised ecosystem for professional and amateur combat sports. 

UNLEASH is the home of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight nights in Sri Lanka, bringing consistent production standards, regulatory discipline, and athlete safety. Following a successful pilot event (UNLEASH-001) in June 2025, the flagship fight night UNLEASH-002 will return in February 2026. 

Together with host and venue partner, Grandeeza Hotel, UNLEASH brings the first combat sports fight night ever held in Negombo, extending the reach of professional MMA, Muay Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu beyond Colombo and into new commercial and audience markets, ably supported by its mobility and ticketing partner PickMe and PickMe Events. 

The UNLEASH-002 fight card will predominantly feature Sri Lankan professional fighters, from Jaffna and Vavuniya in the North, to Galle in the South, from the Hills of Mawanella to the coastal town of Moratuwa. The main card will feature two title fights, while the fight card will be complemented by a number of rising Maldivian fight stars, providing international exposure and raising the competitive standards. 

UNLEASH-002 is projected to attract close to 1,000 spectators on-site, along with a combined livestream and broadcast viewership across Sri Lanka and South Asia. The event is designed not only as entertainment, but as a commercially viable sports property with repeatable formats and scalable sponsorship inventory. 

However, UNLEASH is not just a fight night of entertainment; it is a combat sports movement. Complementing the fight nights is Road to UNLEASH (RTU). RTU is a grassroots competition platform focused on identifying, developing, and showcasing emerging Sri Lankan fight talent. RTU events bring together amateur and semi-professional fighters from across the island, urban centres, and provincial regions alike, providing structured competition opportunities that have previously been limited. By expanding access and standardising competition, RTU functions as a national feeder system that aims to raise the levels of professional competition in combat sports. 

The rise of UNLEASH aligns with broader global trends. Combat sports, particularly MMA, have experienced sustained growth in viewership, participation, and commercial value over the past decade. Leading global promotions such as UFC and ONE Championship have demonstrated that combat sports can evolve from niche entertainment into mainstream, sponsor-backed sports businesses. 

Viewership in Asia, especially India, is expanding rapidly, driven by younger demographics seeking authenticity, discipline-driven narratives, and high-engagement live experiences—factors that translate strongly into brand visibility and loyalty. 

Sri Lanka is now reflecting these global patterns. The rapid growth of combat sports gyms, increased youth participation, and expanding digital viewership indicate a market that is ready for growth and professionalisation. UNLEASH’s long-term ambition is to create a credible national pathway that can produce at least one Sri Lankan athlete competing in the UFC by 2035, placing Sri Lanka on the global combat sports map. 

For the corporate sector, combat sports represent an emerging sponsorship category with strong relevance to Gen Z and Millennial audiences, high engagement rates, and alignment with values such as resilience, performance, discipline, and ambition. Early partnerships offer brands the opportunity to participate in shaping a developing sport rather than entering an overcrowded sponsorship landscape. 

UNLEASH is focused on building recognition, credibility, and long-term partnerships both in Sri Lanka and regionally. More than a single event promoter, UNLEASH aims to be a foundational platform in Sri Lanka’s combat sports industry, creating value for athletes, audiences, and corporate partners alike.