logo
PFL Africa stars Juliet Ukah and Ceileigh Niedermayr train in front of fans at open workout

PFL Africa stars Juliet Ukah and Ceileigh Niedermayr train in front of fans at open workout

Arab Newsa day ago

KINSHASA: As the countdown continues to the start of the inaugural season of PFL Africa on July 19, Professional Fighters League stars Juliet Ukah from Nigeria and Ceileigh Niedermayr from South Africa took part in an open workout on Wednesday.
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
The fighters, who will face off in a Showcase Women's Strawweight Bout during the PFL Africa opener at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town next month, showcased their skills for fans and media at the public training session, which took place at the Champions Academy RDC Gym in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
'I'm very happy to be on the first PFL Africa card and my fight with Ceileigh is going to be an exciting one,' said Ukah. '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.
'Compared to her, I think I'm the more experienced fighter and the better striker, so I'm comfortable wherever the fight goes.'
She added that expects to get the finish but would not mind if the fight went to a third round if needed.
Niedermayr said: 'It's truly an honor to be part of the first-ever women's fight in PFL Africa. This fight camp isn't just about preparing for my next opponent, it's a reflection of my lifelong dedication to martial arts.
'On fight night, I'm bringing a new level of 'Smiley Savagery' to the SmartCage,' she added, referring to her professional nickname. 'I have a lot of respect for Juliet as a fighter and I welcome the chance to test myself against her.'
She said she has never faced anyone like Ukah and expects an 'exciting, high-level battle and I'm ready for it.'
The historic PFL Cape Town event will mark the start of the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament and feature first-round matchups in the heavyweight and bantamweight divisions.
The headline bouts include five must-see PFL Champions Series clashes, including a Middleweight World Championship main event in which titleholder Johnny 'Pressure' Eblen (with a record of 16-0) will take on challenger Costello 'The Spaniard' van Steenis (16-3). Tickets for the event are available from Ticketpro.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fluminense Complete Brazilian Quartet in Last 16 of Club World Cup
Fluminense Complete Brazilian Quartet in Last 16 of Club World Cup

Asharq Al-Awsat

time19 hours ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Fluminense Complete Brazilian Quartet in Last 16 of Club World Cup

Fluminense completed a full Brazilian contingent in the Club World Cup round of 16 after a goalless draw with Mamelodi Sundowns secured their progress from Group F on Wednesday. Despite being on the back foot for much of the match at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, Fluminense advanced after finishing second in the group with five points, two behind group winners Borussia Dortmund, who edged Ulsan HD 1-0. The result set up a last-16 clash next Monday in Charlotte, where Fluminense will face either River Plate, Inter Milan, or Monterrey. They join fellow Brazilian clubs Flamengo, Palmeiras, and Botafogo in the business end of the 32-club tournament. Sundowns, who finish third with four points, will be left to lament missed opportunities after a promising start. Lucas Ribeiro and Tashreeq Matthews both came close early on, only to be denied by 44-year-old veteran goalkeeper Fabio. The South African side controlled possession and attacked in waves from the flanks but were unable to convert their dominance into goals. Fluminense responded with greater urgency after the half-hour cooling break and nearly snatched the lead in the 57th minute, when German Cano's low volley struck the post. Though the 65,000-plus capacity stadium was largely empty, with only 14,312 fans showing up, a blend of Brazilian chants and South African drum beats brought a festive energy to the contest.

PFL Africa stars Juliet Ukah and Ceileigh Niedermayr train in front of fans at open workout
PFL Africa stars Juliet Ukah and Ceileigh Niedermayr train in front of fans at open workout

Arab News

timea day ago

  • Arab News

PFL Africa stars Juliet Ukah and Ceileigh Niedermayr train in front of fans at open workout

KINSHASA: As the countdown continues to the start of the inaugural season of PFL Africa on July 19, Professional Fighters League stars Juliet Ukah from Nigeria and Ceileigh Niedermayr from South Africa took part in an open workout on Wednesday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The fighters, who will face off in a Showcase Women's Strawweight Bout during the PFL Africa opener at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town next month, showcased their skills for fans and media at the public training session, which took place at the Champions Academy RDC Gym in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 'I'm very happy to be on the first PFL Africa card and my fight with Ceileigh is going to be an exciting one,' said Ukah. '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. 'Compared to her, I think I'm the more experienced fighter and the better striker, so I'm comfortable wherever the fight goes.' She added that expects to get the finish but would not mind if the fight went to a third round if needed. Niedermayr said: 'It's truly an honor to be part of the first-ever women's fight in PFL Africa. This fight camp isn't just about preparing for my next opponent, it's a reflection of my lifelong dedication to martial arts. 'On fight night, I'm bringing a new level of 'Smiley Savagery' to the SmartCage,' she added, referring to her professional nickname. 'I have a lot of respect for Juliet as a fighter and I welcome the chance to test myself against her.' She said she has never faced anyone like Ukah and expects an 'exciting, high-level battle and I'm ready for it.' The historic PFL Cape Town event will mark the start of the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament and feature first-round matchups in the heavyweight and bantamweight divisions. The headline bouts include five must-see PFL Champions Series clashes, including a Middleweight World Championship main event in which titleholder Johnny 'Pressure' Eblen (with a record of 16-0) will take on challenger Costello 'The Spaniard' van Steenis (16-3). Tickets for the event are available from Ticketpro.

Pico and Evloev set to collide in potential UFC title eliminator in Abu Dhabi
Pico and Evloev set to collide in potential UFC title eliminator in Abu Dhabi

Arab News

timea day ago

  • Arab News

Pico and Evloev set to collide in potential UFC title eliminator in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI: Aaron Pico's UFC era officially begins on July 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The American will take on undefeated contender Movsar Evloev in a five-round, must-watch featherweight showdown with serious title-shot implications, as he makes his eagerly anticipated UFC debut as part of a bumper Fight Night lineup. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The longtime MMA featherweight standout was a high-profile, free-agent UFC signing in April this year and there will be no soft entry into the franchise for him; he is diving straight into the deep end against a man whose shot at the featherweight crown is overdue in the eyes of many. Pico, 28, is clearly taking the match-up against 31-year-old Evloev, who is riding high on a nine-fight winning streak since his UFC debut in 2019, very seriously and appears exceptionally well prepared and in phenomenal shape. Evloev, meanwhile, has quietly dismantled some of the featherweight division's biggest and toughest names, including Arnold Allen, Diego Lopes, Dan Ige and, most recently, former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. Pico is known for his devastating knockout power, with 11 of his 13 career wins the result of a stoppage. Evloev is a master technician, renowned for relentless pressure and precision. While their bout is billed as a classic striker versus grinder matchup, both fighters have evolved in recent bouts, suggesting this could develop into a much more tactical battle than might be expected. A win for Pico would immediately shake up the UFC featherweight division, while a triumph for Evloev would surely secure the long-awaited title shot he deserves. With just a month to go until their showdown, the stakes could not be higher: Pico vs. Evloev is not simply a co-main event, it is a potential springboard to superstardom. As such it is one fight that simply must not be missed. The fight is part of a stacked card headlined by former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, who faces highly-rated Dutch standout Reinier de Ridder. Meanwhile, former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan aims to extend his winning streak to three, but heavy-handed foe Marcus McGhee stands in his way in their three-round clash.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store