Nairobi:Lubango Angolan MMA fighter Daniela Mandanji has made history in women's combat sports by achieving a dominant professional debut with a swift first-round submission victory against Uganda's Rebecca Amongi.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the 20-year-old flyweight fighter, who hails from Lubango, showcased her extensive amateur experience, which includes winning an IMMAF world championship in Tbilisi, Georgia. In her debut match held in Nairobi, Mandanji overwhelmed her opponent in under two minutes through superior grappling skills, leading to a quick submission.
Mandanji's transition from amateur to professional fighting involved moving away from padded shin guards and adapting to lighter gloves, increasing the bout's physical and technical demands. After the fight, she expressed that financial incentives drove her shift to professional MMA, as the amateur circuit did not offer financial rewards.
She is already preparing for her next professional fight, scheduled for December 5 in Nairobi. Mandanji aims to advance her career by targeting major international platforms, such as PFL Africa and ultimately the UFC, as part of her pursuit to establish a significant international presence in the sport.
