A Nigerian female police officer, Juliet Ukah, is making waves in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as she prepares for a match on Saturday.
Dressed in a white top and raising her fists, she stands confidently, ready to compete. Ukah transitioned to MMA after beginning her journey in taekwondo.
“I am the queen of the cage in mixed martial arts. I’m here to stay, so keep an eye on me!” she declared.
A determined personality, Ukah embraces challenges head-on.
In addition to her achievements in combat sports like taekwondo, boxing, and kickboxing, she also serves her country as a police corporal.
At 26 years old, Ukah entered the MMA scene in 2023 as a last-minute replacement fighter and is set to make history as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) hosts its inaugural event in Africa, taking place in Cape Town this Saturday.
She will compete alongside renowned fighters such as Dakota Ditcheva, the 2024 European flyweight champion, and Johnny Eblen, the Bellator middleweight titleholder, in what is expected to be one of the most significant MMA events ever held on the continent.
“I feel like a queen, and I’m proud to be the first African female fighter signed by the PFL,” Ukah told reporters.
“They see something in me that made them want to bring me onto the team.”
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Inspired by figures like long jumper Chioma Ajunwa, who was the first Nigerian to win an Olympic gold medal in 1996, Ukah joined the police force five years before she began her MMA career.
Since stepping into the ring after being invited by Henry George, now president of the Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation, to replace an unavailable fighter in Cameroon in April 2023, Ukah has won all six of her MMA fights.
She achieved her first knockout victory in the Democratic Republic of Congo last June and is now gearing up to face local fighter Ceileigh Niedermayr in a strawweight match at the Grand Arena.
“This unbeaten record means a lot to me,” Ukah said.
“It brings me joy, and I want to keep adding to it. Niedermayr is a strong competitor with a solid record, and while the crowd may support her, I thrive on that energy to motivate myself.”
George recognizes Ukah’s role as a trailblazer for female fighters and believes her debut with the PFL sends a powerful message about the growth of MMA in Nigeria.
“This is incredibly significant for us,” he stated.
“It will validate her skills, honor her sacrifices, and confirm her place at the top. It will also create more opportunities for her to pursue her goals and gain recognition in her career.”
The PFL, established in the US in 2017, already has leagues in America and Europe, as well as a combined Middle East and North Africa circuit.
