Women take centre stage at Barebones MMA championships

The MMA spotlight will shine on the ladies this time around as the Barebones MMA Championships prepare to crown their first-ever women’s champion.

Ayesha Majiet and Tara Abrahams are set to battle for the inaugural women’s flyweight belt at the sixth edition of the Barebones MMA Championships in Sunningdale on Saturday, November 8.

Since its inception, the developmental championship has come a long way, providing a platform for budding mixed martial artists to sharpen their craft and gain exposure.

The promotion has grown into one of Cape Town’s most consistent proving grounds for amateur fighters aiming for the professional stage.

At the promotion’s first-ever press conference held on November 1, the atmosphere hinted at how far Barebones has come. The number of fighters on the card and the professionalism surrounding the event reflect an organisation on the rise. Promoter Llyndal Sandenburg said introducing press conferences was also a way to prepare young athletes for the expectations and media attention that come with turning professional.

With the spotlight firmly on women for this round, both Majiet and Abrahams admit there’s pressure, but also pride in leading the way for female fighters in South Africa.

“I’m just taking it all in and trying not to let it get too much in my head because this is a big opportunity,” said Majiet.

“The hope is that this fight opens more doors for women in MMA, because we’re still underrepresented.”

Abrahams echoed those sentiments, highlighting the struggles that female athletes face in finding opponents and consistent competition.

“It’s an honour to represent women in MMA because it’s very difficult to get fights,” she said.

As for the pressure, she says she deals with it by reminding herself it's just another day in the cage for her, something she has done for quite a while.

The two women will headline a card packed with action, featuring five championship bouts in total. Among the most anticipated is the lightweight title clash between Byron Sarjoo and Josh Bester, which promises fireworks. Another fan-favourite matchup pits Ashwad Reid against Frank Ngoka, a contest that has all the makings of a Fight of the Night.

And while the heavyweights Ebrahim Oosthuizen and Aku Okafar have vowed to deliver a “don’t blink” performance, all eyes will be on Majiet and Abrahams to close the show on a high.