In Uganda, a new wild 'Soft Ground Wrestling' is taking the internet by storm

Social media users laughed, shared, and assumed it was a skit. But they were wrong. Soft Ground Wrestling, locally dubbed Mukono Wrestling, is real, and it’s quickly becoming Uganda’s sporting export and fastest-growing sport.

Founded by Daniel Bumbash, the Soft Ground Wrestling academy behind the viral clips is a real camp which trains students to practice the extreme sport safely. The major principle for Bumbash’s raw and risky academy is that only the healthy can survive.

“This sport is very, very dangerous,” Bumbash admits. “If you’ve had surgery, if you have HIV, ulcers, or other health issues, this isn’t for you. Our training starts with running 60 kilometres through sugar plantations to test stamina. The first lesson? Learning how to fall, how to fall on your back.”

Despite their improvised rings, thin ropes tied to bamboo sticks over soft ground,  the fighters’ stamina and witty style have caught international attention. American professionals like Mansoor Abdul Aziz and Mason D. Madden have travelled to Uganda to train and encourage the trainees.

“The ground is soft, but wrestling always hurts,” Mansoor told NTV. “This is a brand-new style of wrestling. Look at the ring they made with their blood, their sweat, their passion, their tears,” he added

Madden, on the other hand, sees something bigger, he said, “Professional wrestling doesn’t exist here in Uganda, it doesn’t exist here in Africa really. So you look in the world and you know American-style wrestling, Lucha Libre-style wrestling, and Japanese-style wrestling. Right here is where African style can be born, and that’s on you.”

From dirt to WWE dreams

The underground wrestling gained even more legitimacy and popularity when WWE star Cody Rhodes donated a professional wrestling ring to the group, shipped directly to Kampala.

“When I told him our biggest challenge was a ring, he said, done,” Bumbash recalled. “Many people will ask for money, but I asked for a ring just as I’m asking for somebody help us with land. Cody Rhodes inspires me so much, just as he was inspired by his father. He also says if the talent is okay, he will pull it over to his academy in the future.” 

The group already holds live shows every Sunday at 2 p.m., with two official titles - the Tag Team Championship and the Heavyweight Championship - both donated by Cody Rhodes. 

Tickets cost just about $1.

Operational cost

Running the academy isn’t cheap. Wrestlers eat up to 100 kilos a day, Bumbash says. He adds that 100 students eat two cow thighs in one sitting. On top of that, malaria and cramped accommodations add to the costs. But he insists the payoff is worth it. “These young men could be on the streets. Instead, I keep them here, train them, discipline them. No stealing, no foul language, no violence. I’ve expelled 25 already. Here, they become sportsmen.”