By Anan Geolengs
Jackiel Ayana and David Ezekiel emerged among the standout performers at Akalaka 009, tagged The Battle of the Mystic Sword, which delivered an action-packed night of mixed martial arts (MMA) and exhibition boxing in Abuja.
The ninth edition of the Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior promotion featured seven MMA bouts across different weight divisions and a special boxing exhibition, showcasing Nigerian talent, discipline and cultural heritage.
Ayana, popularly known as the “Smiling Assassin”, submitted Victor Dooga, aka “The Benue Boy”, to win the featherweight main event through a rare naked choke in two minutes, 37 seconds.
The decisive victory earned Ayana three major honours, including Best Submission, Best Fighter of the Night and the coveted Mystic Sword for his outstanding performance.
Speaking after the contest, Ayana said the victory reflected his dedication, discipline and commitment to continuous improvement, adding that winning the Mystic Sword made the achievement particularly memorable.
“I came here prepared to give my best, and I am delighted that the hard work paid off. This victory will motivate me to keep improving and pursuing greater achievements in my career,” he said.
David Ezekiel, known as “The Badger”, won the Best Knockout Artist of the Night award after defeating Joseph James, aka “The Great Lion”, by technical knockout.
In the welterweight co-main event, Casmir Junior, popularly known as “The Poison”, defeated Daniel Appah, aka “The RoadMap”, by tap-out submission.
Chima-Cole Emmanuel, known as “The Oracle”, also recorded a stoppage victory, knocking out Godwin Ambrose, aka “The Big Name”, in the light heavyweight division.
Other winners included Beckefula Tarilayefa, who defeated Blessing Ejike, aka “The Amazon”, by split decision in the women’s catchweight contest.
Abdulkareen Nasirudeen, popularly known as “The Black Wolf”, defeated Aliyu Yusuf in the bantamweight division after his opponent abandoned the contest.
Michael Dawodu, aka “The Hero”, edged Onyeka Uche Jim, popularly known as “The China Man”, by split decision after three rounds of an entertaining featherweight contest.
Ezekiel also secured a technical knockout victory over James in the lightweight division, completing the night’s list of MMA winners.
Inimfon Ekong, popularly known as “The Woman Pharaoh”, defeated Simon Ameh by split decision in an exhibition boxing bout, using the occasion to advocate women’s empowerment and condemn abuse.
Ekong said she was proud to represent women worldwide, urging them to pursue their ambitions without allowing others to undermine their confidence or potential.
“I want women to know that they can achieve their dreams regardless of the challenges they face. Anyone experiencing abuse should seek help and prioritise their safety rather than remain in a dangerous situation,” she said.
She cautioned against imitating exhibition boxing outside a controlled sporting environment, stressing that her appearance followed years of training and preparation.
Ekong described the contest as an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone while using sport to communicate an important message about courage, self-belief and personal safety.
The event’s convener, Dr Ebere Bernard, popularly known as the “Grandmaster”, expressed satisfaction with the organisation and technical quality of the competition, describing the latest edition as evidence of the promotion’s steady growth.
Bernard said Akalaka began in 2021 with local fighters from the Niger Delta but had since expanded its reach, attracting international attention through digital streaming and growing interest in Nigerian combat sports.
He disclosed that international viewers, including scouts in the United States and renowned UFC referee Herb Dean, monitored the action, adding that the exposure could create opportunities for participating fighters.
“We are building something bigger than a fight night. Akalaka is a platform for discovering talent, developing combat sports and presenting African stories to audiences around the world,” he said.
Bernard said the organisers would review areas requiring improvement and apply lessons from the event to strengthen future editions.
He described Abuja as the promotion’s home, comparing the city’s importance to Akalaka with Las Vegas’ reputation as a major destination for combat sports.
Explaining the cultural significance of The Battle of the Mystic Sword, Bernard traced its inspiration to an oral tradition about the migration of ancestors from the ancient Benin Kingdom to the Niger Delta.
He said the account recounted their struggles to settle around the Orashi River, where they eventually prevailed and took a mystic sword as a spoil of war.
According to him, the sword remains a cultural symbol celebrated annually by the Ekpene people of Rivers State during the Festival of the First Born.
Bernard said Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior remained committed to telling African stories through combat sports while promoting cultural heritage, traditional beliefs and perseverance.
He urged MMA enthusiasts in Abuja and across Nigeria to support the promotion as it continued to develop the sport and provide opportunities for emerging fighters.
Mr Idowu Olusayero, Chief Executive Officer of Option A International and executive producer of the event, said the 21 Arena at the National Council for Arts and Culture was becoming a major hub for combat sports and entertainment in Abuja.
Olusayero recalled that the previous edition, tagged The Battle of Gwarimpa, attracted more than 1,000 spectators, demonstrating the growing public interest in the promotion.
“Each edition keeps getting bigger, and Akalaka 009 was particularly exciting, with thrilling fights, music, dance and cultural displays giving spectators a complete entertainment experience,” he said.
He said the organisers were committed to raising the standard of future events, adding that Abuja fans should expect more exciting fight nights, with another major event scheduled for Friday.
Olusayero said the promotion would continue combining competitive combat sports with entertainment and cultural presentations to attract larger audiences and strengthen Nigeria’s combat sports industry.
The event marked another milestone for Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior, bringing together competitive fighting, cultural storytelling and entertainment while highlighting the determination and talent of Nigerian athletes.
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