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By Joe Apu
Nigerian mixed martial arts fighters headlined by Wasi Adeshina have expressed confidence and excitement ahead of their upcoming bouts in the Professional Fighters League 2 billed for Saturday, describing the event as a major opportunity to showcase their talents and represent both Nigeria and Africa on the global stage.
One of the fighters, Juliet Ukah, a Nigerian Police athlete, said she was delighted to be part of the promotion and proud to fly the continent’s flag as a female MMA competitor.
“I am very happy to be part of this promotion and to represent not only Nigeria but Africa on this stage as a woman MMA fighter,” Ukah said.
The event has also attracted international fighters, including Rafael Uchegbu –a Nigerian, who is visiting Africa for the first time. He expressed excitement about competing on such a prestigious platform.
Uchegbu, who is currently based in Australia after previously living in the United Kingdom, said he was looking forward to making his debut appearance in Africa while representing Nigeria.
“This is my first time in Africa and I am really happy to be here. I’m excited to compete and be part of this event,” he said.
Another fighter, Cornel Thompson, pledged to give his best and bring victory home, while commending the organizers for providing athletes with an opportunity to compete at a high level.
For many of the competitors, the event represents a significant milestone in their careers. One Nigerian athlete described it as only his second professional MMA appearance, having previously competed in Enugu State, where he faced an athlete from Uganda.
Yahaya revealed that his sporting journey began in Nigeria, where he trained in kickboxing, taekwondo and boxing before advancing into mixed martial arts.
He acknowledged the challenges he has faced in pursuing a professional MMA career, including securing quality training facilities and financial support.
“My toughest challenge has been finding the resources to train properly and support myself through camps and preparations,” Thompson said.
The athlete noted that relocating for training camps and working with specialized coaches had been crucial to his development.
The fighters also highlighted their impressive records heading into the competition. One competitor revealed that he boasts an unbeaten professional MMA record of eight wins from eight fights, including one submission victory, three technical knockouts and four unanimous decision wins.
Others pointed to extensive experience in kickboxing, boxing, taekwondo and wrestling as evidence of their readiness for the challenge ahead.
With confidence running high across the camp, the athletes promised fans exciting performances as they seek to advance their careers and bring glory to Nigeria on the international MMA stage.
International fighters on the card Nacho Campos (Spain), Octave Ayinda (Cameroon), Alain Majorique (Cameroon) Thimna Mhlauli (South Africa), Dwight Joseph (Liberia), Shelda Chipito (Zambia) and Karim Henniene (Algeria) on their part expressed confidence that they will ensure they deliver to their fans by winning their matches.
