By Agency Report | April 27, 2026
Michael Dawodu delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the night as he powered to victory alongside other standout winners at the Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event in Abuja.
The high-energy fight night, tagged “Battle of Gwarinpa,” saw 16 fighters thrill fans at the 21 Arena, National Council for Arts and Culture, with bouts across multiple weight divisions.
Dawodu emerged as one of the biggest highlights of the evening, defeating Destiny Ekpo via a second-round technical knockout (TKO) in the men’s 66kg featherweight division. His dominant display drew loud reactions from the crowd and cemented his status as one of the night’s most impressive winners.
In the headline bout, Emmanuel “Knockout Machine” Benard lived up to expectations, defeating Yakubu “Black Scorpion” Solomon by unanimous decision after three gruelling rounds in the men’s bantamweight contest. The bout was widely adjudged the fight of the night, earning Benard the best male fighter award.
“I stayed focused and trusted my training. My opponent was strong, but strategy made the difference,” Benard said, dedicating the victory to his coach and fans who travelled from Lagos.
The co-main event saw Victoria “The Hunter” Uduak dominate Blessing “Chibok Girl” Shettima, securing a first-round TKO in the women’s featherweight division to claim the best female fighter honour.
Other notable winners on the night included Nasirudeen Abdulkareem, who stopped Sunday George via first-round TKO in the bantamweight category, and Balikis Quadri, who defeated Cynthia Philips with a second-round rear-naked choke in the women’s strawweight division.
Christopher Swande forced Cornelius Godpower to sleep with a triangle choke, while Peter Onuh dispatched Goodluck Opara via first-round TKO in another featherweight clash. Joseph James and David Ezekiel fought to a dramatic draw in the lightweight category, scoring 74 points apiece.
President of Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior, Dr. Ebere Benard, said the event was designed to channel youthful energy into productive pursuits.
“We are using MMA as a tool to redirect young people from social vices and channel their energy into productive ventures,” he said.
He added that the platform continues to nurture emerging talents and provide opportunities for fighters to grow.
“This initiative continues to grow, giving fighters exposure and opportunities to compete at higher levels,” he said.
Reflecting on broader societal issues, Benard emphasised the values embedded in martial arts.
“Beyond the cage, martial arts teach discipline, respect and control, values urgently needed in our society,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Option A International, Idowu Olusareyo, commended the organisers for sustaining grassroots sports development.
“There is huge talent in Nigeria. Supporting events like this helps give young fighters the exposure they need to succeed,” he said.
Technical partner Abubakar Marwa also praised the event’s organisation and its impact on Abuja’s sporting scene.
In a major highlight beyond the cage, Dr. Benard was awarded a prestigious 7th-degree black belt by the World Jidokwan Federation President from Korea, recognising over three decades of contribution to martial arts and youth development.
The honour places him among an elite league of Grandmasters, underscoring his influence in promoting MMA as a tool for discipline, empowerment, and global unity.
