“I am the queen of the cage, mixed martial arts. I have come to stay – so watch out for me!”
At just 26, Juliet Ukah is breaking barriers inside and outside the cage. The Nigerian police corporal, who also excels in taekwondo, boxing, and kickboxing, is about to etch her name in history as the first African female fighter signed by the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Ukah’s journey into MMA began unexpectedly in 2023, when she stepped in as a last-minute replacement fighter in Cameroon. Since then, she has remained undefeated in six bouts, earning her first knockout in DR Congo last June. On Saturday, she will face South African strawweight Ceileigh Niedermayr at the PFL’s first-ever African event in Cape Town.
“It means a lot to me,” she said of her unbeaten record. “It makes me so happy, and I want to add more.”
Her rise has been remarkable. Inspired by Olympic gold medallist and police officer Chioma Ajunwa, Ukah joined the Nigeria Police Force before embarking on her MMA career. Balancing both roles hasn’t been easy, but she says discipline and self-control gained from sports have strengthened her work in law enforcement.
Henry George, president of the Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation, called Ukah’s PFL debut a “great statement” for Nigerian MMA. “It will solidify her skills, justify her sacrifices, and prove she belongs at the top,” he said.
The PFL, founded in 2017, has expanded into Africa under the leadership of Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion. Its inaugural African tournament features 24 fighters from 14 countries, with future events planned across the continent.
Ukah sees this as more than a personal milestone. She hopes her success will inspire women to pursue combat sports for discipline, self-defence, and empowerment. “What inspired me is how women are treated in society and how their voices are not heard,” she explained. “I want to inspire young women to do more than they expected.”
With her unshakable confidence, unbeaten record, and dream to open her own gym, Juliet Ukah isn’t just fighting opponents — she’s fighting for a generation of African women in sport.
