Ayana, Ezekiel shine as Akalaka 009 thrill MMA fans

Featherweight star Jackiel Ayana, known as the Smiling Assassin

Elite striking, knockouts and colourful cultural entrances thrilled MMA fans in Abuja at Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior 009.

The fight night, tagged Battle of the Mystic Sword, produced seven bouts at the 21 Arena, National Council for Arts and Culture, on October 31.

Featherweight star Jackiel Ayana, known as the Smiling Assassin, won the Mystic Sword in the main event. He submitted veteran Victor “Benue Boy” Dooga with a rear naked choke in the first round. Ayana also took home the awards for best fighter and submission of the night.

In the co-main event, Casmir Junior improved to 3-0 with a dominant submission win over Daniel Appah in the welterweight division. The 26-year-old was impressive throughout.

A women’s catchweight bout opened the night. Bekefula Tarilayefa moved to 3-0 with a split decision win over debutant Blessing Ejike.

The lightweight clash between David Ezekiel and Joseph James carried extra spice, as the two had fought to an entertaining draw at the last Akalaka event in April, and fans had called for a rematch.

Both men went straight at each other, but the Abuja-based Ezekiel, nicknamed The Badger, won by technical knockout in the first round.

Michael “The Hero” Dawodu, in his second appearance at Akalaka, edged Uchejim Onyeka by split decision in a striking clinic. He was backed by loud support from the female spectators.

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In the light heavyweight division, Micheal Emmanuel survived a tough opening round before choking out Ambrose Godwin with a rear naked choke to move to 1-1. The 23-year-old was the talk of the crowd afterwards.

Abdulkareem Nasirudeen, called the Black Wolf, completed the card by moving to 3-0 after first-timer Aliyu Yusuf withdrew from their bout.

Each fighter walked into the cage in traditional attire, representing his or her ancestral war clan. A mixed-gender exhibition boxing bout between Ininfon Ekong, the Woman Pharaoh, and Confidence Ameh also energised the crowd.

It was a first of its kind in Nigeria, and Ekong won by unanimous decision after three rounds.

The organiser, Dr Ebere Bernard, remains committed to the grassroots development of MMA in Nigeria.