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Fighters alongside Ebere Benard, president of Akalaka, Idowu Olusareyo, CEO of Option A International, and Abubakar Marwa of Marwa Self Defence, after the fight night in Abuja on Sunday<\/p>\n EMMANUEL Benard and Victoria Uduak on Sunday emerged top winners in the men\u2019s and women\u2019s categories at the Akalaka Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event in Abuja.<\/p>\n The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 16 fighters thrilled fans at the Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior showdown at the 21 Arena, National Council for Arts and Culture.<\/p>\n The fight night, tagged \u2018Battle of Gwarinpa\u2019, featured bouts in featherweight, bantamweight, lightweight, and strawweight divisions.<\/p>\n The headline bout saw Emmanuel \u2018Knockout Machine\u2019 Benard face Yakubu \u201cBlack Scorpion\u201d Solomon.<\/p>\n The co-main event featured Victoria \u2018The Hunter\u2019 Uduak against Blessing \u201cChibok Girl\u201d Shettima.<\/p>\n Benard won the best male fighter award after defeating Solomon by unanimous decision in the -61kg bantamweight bout, adjudged the best fight of the night.<\/p>\n Benard attributed his victory to discipline, strategy, and experience against a determined opponent.<\/p>\n \u201cI stayed focused and trusted my training. My opponent was strong, but strategy made the difference,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He dedicated the win to his coach and fans who travelled from Lagos.<\/p>\n Uduak won the best female fighter, defeating Shettima by first-round technical knockout (TKO) in the 65kg featherweight division.<\/p>\n Nasirudeen Abdulkareem defeated Sunday George by first-round TKO in the men\u2019s 61kg bantamweight category.<\/p>\n Balikis Quadri beat Cynthia Philips with a rear naked choke in the second round of the women\u2019s -53kg strawweight division.<\/p>\n Michael Dawodu defeated Destiny Ekpo via second-round TKO in the men\u2019s 66kg featherweight division.<\/p>\n Joseph James and David Ezekiel recorded a draw in the men\u2019s 70kg lightweight category after scoring 74 points each.<\/p>\n Christopher Swande submitted Cornelius Godpower via triangle choke in the men\u2019s 60kg bantamweight category.<\/p>\n Peter Onuh defeated Goodluck Opara by first-round TKO in the men\u2019s 67kg featherweight division.<\/p>\n President of Akalaka, Dr Ebere Benard, said the event promotes youth development and discipline.<\/p>\n He said MMA helps redirect youths from social vices to productive ventures.<\/p>\n Benard, also Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF) Youth Development Director, said the platform discovers and nurtures talent.<\/p>\n He said the initiative provides exposure and opportunities for fighters to compete at higher levels.<\/p>\n Benard urged youths to reflect deeply on life and self-awareness.<\/p>\n He said martial arts promote honour, restraint, discipline, and peace beyond competition.<\/p>\n He decried insecurity and violence, calling for collective action.<\/p>\n \u201cThese challenges affect families and communities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He urged leaders to embrace dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution. \u201cIf fighters show respect, nations can choose peace over conflict,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He called for unity and humanity above division. \u201cThe greatest victory is over anger, chaos, and hatred,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Idowu Olusareyo, CEO of Option A International, sponsor of the event, commended the organisers for promoting grassroots sports.<\/p>\n He said the event provided a platform for emerging Nigerian MMA athletes. He noted it was Akalaka\u2019s third MMA outing in Abuja.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is huge talent in Nigeria. Supporting such events gives fighters needed exposure,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Abubakar Marwa of Marwa Self Defence, a technical partner, lauded the success of the fight night and the excitement it brought to the city of Abuja.(NAN)\u00a0<\/p>\n A.I<\/p>\n April 26, 2026<\/p>\n Tags: Abubakar Marwa<\/a> Idowu Olusareyo<\/a> Victoria Uduak<\/a><\/p>\n \n\t\tPost navigation<\/p>\n
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