Two of Africa’s top female combat sports athletes, Nigeria’s Juliet Ukah and South Africa’s Ceileigh Niedermayr got a look at each other for the first time today ahead of their highly anticipated battle at the inaugural Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa season next month.
Ukah and Ceileigh will battle in the PFL SmartCage in a special Women’s Strawweight Showcase Bout at the first-ever PFL Africa event taking place on Saturday, July 19, at the GrandWest Arena in Cape Town South Africa.
Prior to the first-ever global MMA event hosted on African soil, PFL organised an open training session at the Champions Academy RDC Gym in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, June 25, featuring the two female stars.
Watched by a crowd of fans and the media in the second-largest country in Africa, the athletes showcased their skills and athleticism during the workout sessions. They also faced off for the first time ahead of their highly anticipated showdown after the workout sessions.
The debut PFL Africa event has a pretty stack card with First Round matchups in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. Each will feature an eight-man bracket competing to become first-ever PFL Africa Champions.
Representing the two biggest MMA nations
With a flawless 6-0 record, Ukah who also serves with the Nigeria Police Force, said she is happy to be on the first PFL Africa card. She will look to extend her unbeaten record when she squares up against Ceileigh in her home country of South Africa.
“My fight with Ceileigh is going to be an exciting one,” the Nigerian policewoman and combat athlete said after meeting with her opponent in Kinshasa.
“We’re going to be representing the two biggest MMA nations in Africa, and we want to help put African MMA in the global spotlight”.
Ukah sounded confident that with her experience, she is going to overpower her opponent in the PFL SmartCage.
“Compared to her [Ceileigh], I think I’m the more experienced fighter and the better striker. So, I’m comfortable wherever the fight goes. I expect to get the finish, but I don’t mind going to a third round if needed”, Ukah said.
The fight night however promises to be electrifying with Ceileigh “Smiley Savage” Niedermayr who climbed to a 3-2 record after defeating Uganda’s Rebecca “Warrior” Amongi in her recent fight hopes to keep her winning streak.
Reflection of lifelong dedication to martial arts
“This fight camp isn’t just about preparing for my next opponent — it’s a reflection of my lifelong dedication to martial arts”, Ceileigh said after meeting her opponent.
“I have a lot of respect for Juliet as a fighter, and I welcome the chance to test myself against her. But I don’t think she’s ever faced anyone like me. I’m expecting an exciting, high-level battle — and I’m ready for it”, Ceileigh said, promising that: “On fight night, I’m bringing a new level of Smiley Savagery to the SmartCage”.
Both Ukah and Ceileigh are known for their determination and dexterous play. The Kinshasa show offered fans a foretaste of what to expect during the fight night on July 19.
In addition to the PFL Africa tournament bouts, the evening will be headlined by five high-stakes PFL Champions Series fights with an already stacked card, showcasing some of the world’s top MMA talent on African soil.
