Nigerian Police Corporal Ukah Wins Historic PFL Africa MMA Debut

Nigerian police corporal Juliet Ukah has made history as the first African female fighter signed by the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and crowned the champion of the inaugural PFL Africa tournament held in Cape Town. Ukah, 26, began her MMA career in 2023 as a reluctant stand-in and has since extended her unbeaten record to 7-0, defeating South Africa's Ceileigh Niedermayr by unanimous decision. Her journey from excelling in combat sports like taekwondo, boxing, and kickboxing to becoming a role model for female fighters underscores her ambition to own a gym and teach women self-defense. The inaugural PFL Africa tournament featured 24 fighters from 14 African countries, marking a significant milestone for MMA on the continent. Alongside Ukah's victory, other notable fights included Nigerian heavyweight Joffie Houlton advancing to the semifinals, reflecting the growing prominence of African fighters in the sport. Ukah expressed pride in her achievements and the opportunity to inspire others, saying, "I feel like a queen and I feel good about being the first African female fighter signed by the PFL."