Ram Fighting Battles For Acceptance in Nigeria

A ram stands tied to a goal post ahead of a ram fighting competition held at the National Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria on March 20, 2016.

A Nigerian feeds a ram before it takes participation in a fighting competition at the National Stadium in Lagos on March 20, 2016. 

Spectators look on as a ram gets weighed before a match during a ram fighting competition at the National Stadium in Lagos on March 20.

The Ram Lovers Association of Nigeria (RLAM) is working to bring ram fighting into mainstream by enforcing a strict set of rules to ensure ram safety and fair play.

Two men negotiate a bet ahead of a fighting competition at the National Stadium in Lagos on March 20. 

Hundreds of people gather under a blazing sun to watch the rams fight on a sandy pitch, fenced off with orange and blue rope, at the National Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria on March 20, 2016. 

A referee leads two rams to the center of the arena.

Two rams collide as the referee and marshals look on, during the ram fighting competition at the National Stadium in Lagos on March 20.

The Nigerian ram fighting rules state that at the start of a tournament rams are allowed to hit 30 "blows" before the referee calls a tie. By the finals, rams can head-butt up to 100 times. 

People watch the rams fight with excitement.

Two rams collide as spectators look on during the competition.

Dayo Folami, right, his undefeated ram King of Oils, and his friends stand near the ram fighting arena at the National Stadium in Lagos on March 20.

A ram stands pegged to the ground at the National Stadium in Lagos on March 20.