Nigeria’s Juliet Ukah looks to be a driving force in the PFL’s push towards MMA in Africa, hoping to become the face of Women’s MMA in Africa for the promotion. The 26-year-old has racked up an undefeated 6-0 record in MMA and hopes to impress in her PFL debut.
Ukah’s debut will come at the inaugural PFL Africa event this Saturday, when the PFL takes on Cape Town in their newest expansion. Her fight will open the card against hometown Ceileigh Niedermayr, marking a massive step for WMMA in Africa.
“It’s good experience for me because it’s like a dream come true. It’s something I’ve been working for all my life, waiting for this time to happen,” she stated during this week’s media day. “So I’m very much happy to be the first person on this card, and I believe it’s gonna be a good platform for the younger ones coming up.”
Ukah has found herself in a position where younger fighters are looking up to her for inspiration, but doesn’t seem bothered by the pressure that comes along with it.
“Basically all of my career I’ve been kind of a motivation to younger ones growing up. It’s quite a pressure, but I think it’s just a part of me because I’m used to being pressured about doing what I know best.”
Juliet Ukah embraces being the Face of WMMA in Africa
Ukah’s goal is simple: to drive African MMA to a new level of popularity while making women in Africa more comfortable with fighting. She feels the strides the sport has made in Africa haven’t translated to women’s MMA as well as they should be.
“It has grown a very long way, especially in Africa. But mostly, I believe that for females, it has not grown so much. Females need to come out and showcase their talent, showcase who they are, so they can also have this opportunity that the guys have.”
Ukah also discussed being in the spotlight for women’s MMA in Africa and how she has no issue being the face of the push.
“If I don’t go to the media, then how will the world know there’s a female in Africa? So I need to also let people understand that we have females in Africa who are also strong.”
Watch the full PFL Africa media day appearance by Juliet Ukah above.
