MMA fighter Ceileigh Niedermayr is set to make history next month as the first South African woman to fight in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
The PFL will host its African debut in Cape Town on 19 July. This will be the first global MMA event hosted on the continent.
Niedermayr will face Nigeria’s formidable Juliet Akah in a highly anticipated showdown at Grand West Arena.
The Cape Town event will spotlight a mix of international stars and top African talent.
The Duban-born Niedermayr, whose fight name is the Smiley Savage, took part in a warm-up event with Akah in Congo yesterday.
Niedermayr says she is amped to fight in front of a Cape Town audience:
“I am super excited to be the first South African woman to be part of the momentous occasion that is the PFL coming to Africa, and I’m really looking forward to an exciting fight and bringing some Smiley Savagery to the cage!”
Her fight name stems from her trademark grin even in the heat of battle, and she credits her success to her unshakable mindset:
“Negative emotions like anger or frustration don’t help me perform. I thrive when I’m happy, having fun in the moment. Even when I get hit hard, I smile back—that’s where I find my strength.”
