Celebrating Women Fighters This Women’s Month at PFL Africa 2

Rethabile Nyelele5 August , 2025

As Women’s Month unfolds in our country, PFL Africa 2 stands out not only as a milestone in African mixed‑martial‑arts but also as a powerful stage to honour women fighters, both international stars and home‑grown talents, in a sport long dominated by men. Held on 9 August 2025 at Johannesburg’s Big Top Arena, this second leg of the PFL Africa Tournament brings featherweight and welterweight female athletes to the fore, continuing the legacy launched in Cape Town.

A Showcase of Global and African Women’s Flyweights

On 19 July the PFL made history in Cape Town, where Dakota “Dangerous” Ditcheva headlined the Champions Series portion, taking on Bellator veteran Sumiko Inaba in a Women’s Flyweight bout. Ditcheva remained undefeated, cruising to a unanimous decision victory via dominant striking combinations, clinch work, and front kicks, even managing the fight with a compromised left hand. Her performance reaffirmed her status as a leading pound‑for‑pound talent in women’s MMA.

Nigerian Trailblazer in the Strawweight Showcase

Before the bigger weight classes, Nigeria’s Juliet Ukah made history in the Women’s Strawweight showcase bout, defeating South Africa’s Ceileigh Niedermayr by unanimous decision. The fight signalled Africa’s first female head‑liner in PFL’s continental series, with both athletes embodying grit, national pride, and continental ambition.

Ukah, a serving police officer, entered the event undefeated, while Niedermayr brought local hope to the cage. At a media roadshow in Kinshasa, Ukah vowed to shine and represent African MMA on the world stage; Niedermayr spoke of her lifelong dedication to martial arts and readiness to match strength with experience in front of her home crowd.

PFL Africa 2: The Women’s Spotlight Moves On

Although PFL Africa 2 on 9 August focuses on featherweight and welterweight women, unlike the earlier flyweight and strawweight showcases, it continues the celebration of female talent. Many of the previous female bouts drew international attention and stirred local pride in our country. The coaching presence of MMA legend Francis Ngannou as Chairman of PFL Africa further underlines the platform’s mission to elevate African fighters, including women’s division representation.

The inaugural event in Cape Town featured 32 fighters across various divisions, including bantam, heavyweight, featherweight, and welterweight brackets, highlighting the organisation’s deep investment in both male and female talent from across the continent.

Why Women’s Month and PFL Africa Are a Natural Match

This alignment matters because Women’s Month in our country is more than a momentary celebration—it’s a commitment to recognising female empowerment in sport, arts, business and beyond. The visible success of women like Ditcheva and Ukah on African soil helps inspire the next generation of female athletes, especially in combat sports that historically lacked equal representation.

Moreover, showcasing women from diverse backgrounds, including European world-class champions and African rising stars, sends a message that talent, discipline, and courage aren’t bound by geography or gender.

Inspiring the Next Female Generation

For young women watching at home, seeing Juliet Ukah step into that smart cage and Dakota Ditcheva command a global audience under the same roof is empowering. As PFL Africa continues through its quarter‑finals in Johannesburg, the excitement around upcoming women’s weigh‑ins, press workshops, and tournament announcements sends a clear signal: women belong at the top of MMA too.

In celebrating Women’s Month at PFL Africa 2, fans in the country are invited not only to enjoy world‑class action but to witness a continental movement gaining momentum. With fearless athletes, rising stars, and seasoned champions sharing the spotlight, the women fighters are not just supporting acts—they are headline makers.