By Victor Okoye
Emmanuel Benard and Victoria Uduak have emerged as top winners in the men’s and women’s categories at the Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 16 fighters thrilled fans at the Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior showdown held at the 21 Arena, National Council for Arts and Culture on Saturday.
The fight night tagged “Battle of Gwarinpa” featured bouts across featherweight, bantamweight, lightweight, and strawweight divisions.
Headlining the event was the clash between Emmanuel “Knockout Machine” Benard and Yakubu “Black Scorpion” Solomon.
The co-main event featured Victoria “The Hunter” Uduak against Blessing “Chibok girl” Shettima.
Benard, who took home the best male fighter award, defeated Solomon by unanimous decision after three intense rounds in the men’s -61kg bantamweight bout in a fight adjudged as the overall best fight of the night.
Benard said his victory came through discipline and experience against a determined opponent.
“I stayed focused and trusted my training. My opponent was strong, but strategy made the difference,” he said.
He dedicated the win to his coach and fans who travelled from Lagos to support him.
In the co-main event, Uduak, who was adjudged the best female fighter of the night, defeated Shettima by technical knockout (TKO) in the first round of the women’s 65kg featherweight division.
Nasirudeen Abdulkareem beat Sunday George by first-round TKO in the men’s 61kg bantamweight category.
Balikis Quadri secured victory over Cynthia Philips with a rear naked choke in the second round of the women’s -53kg straw-weight division.
Michael Dawodu defeated Destiny Ekpo via TKO in the second round of the men’s 66kg featherweight division.
Joseph James and David Ezekiel recorded a draw in the men’s 70kg lightweight category after scoring 74 points each.
Christopher Swande submitted Cornelius Godpower to sleep via triangle choke in the men’s 60kg bantamweight category.
Peter Onuh defeated Goodluck Opara by first-round TKO in the men’s 67kg featherweight division.
President of Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior, Dr Ebere Benard, said the event was aimed at youth development and promoting discipline.
“We are using MMA as a tool to redirect young people from social vices and channel their energy into productive ventures,” he said.
Benard, who is also Director of Youth Development at the Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF), said the platform helps discover and nurture talents.
“This initiative continues to grow, giving fighters exposure and opportunities to compete at higher levels,” he said.
Drawing from a philosophical reflection, Benard likened life to a dream, urging deeper self-awareness among youths.
“Like a man, unsure if he is dreaming or awake, we must reflect on who we are and what we stand for,” he said.
He said martial arts go beyond competition, emphasising values of honour, restraint, and peace.
“Beyond the cage, martial arts teach discipline, respect and control, values urgently needed in our society,” he said.
Benard decried insecurity and violence in Nigeria and across the world, calling for collective action.
“These challenges are not just headlines but real human tragedies affecting families and communities,” he said.
He urged leaders to embrace dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.
“If fighters can compete with discipline and leave with respect, nations too can choose peace over conflict,” he said.
He called for unity and a commitment to humanity above division.
“The greatest victory is not over an opponent, but over anger, chaos and hatred within ourselves,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Option A International, Idowu Olusareyo, Sponsors of the event, commended the organisers for promoting grassroots sports.
“The showpiece provided a platform for emerging Nigerian MMA athletes to showcase their skills.
“It marked the third MMA outing by Akalaka in Abuja following previous successful editions.
“There is huge talent in Nigeria. Supporting events like this helps give young fighters the exposure they need to succeed,” he said.
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 also reports that Benard was awarded the 7th degree black belt by the World Jidokwan Federation President from Korea.
This was in recognition of his martial arts growth in multiple styles of martial arts, including Taekwondo and unarmed military combat, for more than 30 years.
The coveted award was a mark of honour and recognition of Benard’s active involvement and diverse projects focused on promoting mixed martial arts and youth development in Nigeria, Africa, and globally.
More importantly is the works he has been involved in rehabilitation at-risk-youths, the campaign against cultism/crime, grassroot development, people in need and using martial arts as a vehicle to promote global peace, unity and mutual respect among nations.
The 7th degree black belt is an induction into the league of Grandmasters.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)