MMA: Police Corporal Ukah Makes History To Win PFL Africa’s First Bout

Nigerian Police Corporal Juliet Ukah has been crowned the champion of the inaugural Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa.

Ukah triumphed over South Africa’s Ceileigh Niedermayr by unanimous decision (30-27 from all judges) in a women’s strawweight (115 lbs) showcase bout, marking the first-ever Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) contest held in Africa on Saturday in Cape Town.

This victory elevates Ukah’s undefeated career record to 7-0.

At just 26 years old, Ukah entered the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) as a reluctant stand-in fighter in 2023 and has made history two years later by becoming the first African woman to win a title in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) as the organisation held its first event on African soil.

In other bouts, Abraham Bably defeated Paul-Emmanuel Gnaze by first-round knockout (4:59) in the PFL Africa Heavyweight (265 lbs) Tournament.

Bably will face the winner of the match between Abdoulaye Kane and Joffie Houlton in the semifinals, improving his career record to 6-2.

This marks Bably’s fourth knockout, with four of his six victories coming by way of KO.

He fights out of London, England, while representing the Ivory Coast in PFL Africa, and was a winner of a 2023 PFL Challenger Series contract.

In the third bout, Simbarashe Hokonya defeated Frans Mlambo by unanimous decision (30-26×2, 30-25) in the PFL Africa Bantamweight (135 lbs) Tournament.

Hokonya will face the winner of Nkosi Ndebele and Mahmoud Atef in the semifinals, moving his undefeated career record to 6-0.

This victory also marks Hokonya’s debut in the PFL following five fights with EFC. He represents Zimbabwe.

In the fourth fight, Joffie Houlton secured victory over Abdoulaye Kane by disqualification (0:40), for an illegal knee to a grounded opponent) in the PFL Africa Heavyweight (265 lbs) Tournament.

Houlton will now face Abraham Bably in the semifinals, bringing his career record to 8-4. Houlton has won seven of his last nine fights and represents Nigeria.

In the fifth fight, Karim Henniene defeated Asiashu Tshitamba by split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) in the PFL Africa Bantamweight (135 lbs) Tournament.

Henniene will take on the winner of Shannon van Tonder versus Boule Godogo in the semifinals, further extending his unbeaten career record to 5-0.

Henniene trains at Tristar Gym in Montreal and represents Algeria in PFL Africa, having also maintained an unbeaten amateur record of 5-0.