The General Manager of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), Elias Schulze, has described Africa as the continent most suited to produce champions in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) with the large number of talents scattered across the continent.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday ahead of the PFL’s debut in Lagos tomorrow, Schulze said coming to Lagos had always been the organisation’s priority as they see the continent as the future of MMA and Nigeria its present.

He said: “The future is Africa, but the present is Nigeria, so that’s why we’re here. People now see that there’s a pathway for a professional fighter to compete, profitably, fairly on the African continent, and then move to the global stage.

“Africa is a prime destination that can work out in the world. There are now many Nigerians in the MMA and we are proud to be contributing to the growth of the sport here.”

Schulze said that it was not by accident that of the 26 fighters billed to fight in Lagos tomorrow, eight of them are Nigerians, adding, “We are spoilt for choice when it comes to Nigeria.”

He assured MMA fans of the best of the sport on Saturday, adding that arrangements have been made to broadcast the events of tomorrow worldwide through Supersport and Sporting TV.

“We believe MMA should be the most democratic and accessible sport across the continent. Whether that means you’re showing up live at the event and you get a ticket or whatever, we have something for everybody… whatever it is, that there’s a way to access the fight without too much difficulty for anybody.

Earlier, the Nigerian fighters on the bill, Juliet Ukah, Patrick Ocheme, Cornel Thompson, Raphael Uchegbu, Wasi Adeshina and Yahaya Yahuza assured their fans that they would step out of the cage unscathed despite the calibre of opponents lined up against them tomorrow.

Juliet Ukah, a police woman, who is billed to face Zambia’s Shelda Chipito, said that she has been preparing for Saturday night in the best possible way, adding that beating Chipito is already a done deal.

“I have prepared very well for this fight; because we don’t have the facilities and equipment, I went to train in DR Congo and I am ready.”

Cornel Johnson, a.k.a. Ekwensu, whose record stands at 11 wins and three loses, said fighting in Lagos has presented him the opportunity to show his fans the stuff he is made of.

Johnson said: “Inside the cage I am a god. Nobody can stand me, no matter what the person claims to be. If you are the feint hearted, stay at home because I am going to demolish anything that stands before me in the cage.”