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Anticipation is building as Nigeria’s Juliet Ukah and South Africa’s Ceileigh Niedermayr came face-to-face during an open workout session ahead of the inaugural Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa event, set for July 19 at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town, South Africa.
The open workout, held at the Champions Academy RDC Gym in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, saw both female fighters showcase their skills in front of cheering fans and members of the media. Their upcoming bout in the Women’s Strawweight Showcase promises to be a highlight of the PFL Cape Town card.
Speaking confidently after her session, Nigeria’s Juliet Ukah expressed excitement over her participation in the debut PFL Africa event.
“I am very happy to be on the first PFL Africa card, and my fight with Ceileigh is going to be an exciting one. We’re representing the two biggest MMA nations in Africa, and we want to help put African MMA in the global spotlight,” she said.
Ukah, who sees herself as the more experienced fighter, added, “Compared to her, I think I’m the better striker, so I’m comfortable wherever the fight goes. I expect to get the finish, but I don’t mind going to a third round if needed.”
Ceileigh Niedermayr, her South African opponent, is equally optimistic and determined.
“It’s truly an honour to be part of the first-ever women’s fight in PFL Africa. This fight camp isn’t just about my next opponent — it’s a reflection of my lifelong dedication to martial arts,” Niedermayr said.
Nicknamed “Smiley Savagery”, she added, “I have a lot of respect for Juliet, but I don’t think she’s ever faced anyone like me. I’m expecting an exciting, high-level battle — and I’m ready for it.”
The historic PFL Cape Town event will officially launch the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament, featuring first-round contests in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. The card will also include five major bouts in the PFL Champions Series, headlined by a Middleweight World Championship clash between unbeaten titleholder Johnny “Pressure” Eblen (16-0) and Costello “The Spaniard” van Steenis (16-3).
Tickets are currently available through Ticketpro, with the tournament action scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM SAST (10:30 AM EST), and the Champions Series bouts kicking off later at 8:30 PM SAST (2:30 PM EST). A U.S. broadcast partner is expected to be announced soon.
The Professional Fighters League is the fastest-growing mixed martial arts organisation globally and is known for its unique “win and advance” tournament format. With a global broadcast reach across 190 countries and a strong investor base, including sports franchise owners and major investment firms, the PFL continues to attract fans with its high-energy fight nights and international talent.
With over 650 million MMA fans globally and a young, engaged audience, the league is poised to reshape the landscape of combat sports, and PFL Africa marks a significant step in that journey.
