Carletonville mixed martial arts fighter Charmaine Venter secured her first professional victory this week with a triumph over Nepal’s Anisha Khadka.

The two faced each other in a featherweight bout at the EFC 135 event in Sandton on
July 2.

The fight came to an early end when the referee stopped the contest with 1 minute and 34 seconds remaining, after Venter’s fierce fighting style brought Khadka to the ground.

Television commentators praised her performance during the clash.

“She is merciless and just keeps going. She looks like she was like a train.”

Following her victory, Venter expressed her gratitude, stating that all the support and love meant much more to her than the actual win.

Her trainer, Shihan Chimmy van Winkel of the Fight Street MMA Club, noted that her debut went very well.

“Even if it was high stress and excitement before the event. All her hard work paid off,” Van Winkel said.

Leading up to the bout, Venter underwent a gruelling fitness and fighting training programme for several months. She practiced at least twice a day, almost non-stop during this period, taking only a short break due to influenza.

Looking ahead, Van Winkel stated that they plan to take Venter’s career step-by-step.

He also described her as an inspiration to young upcoming fighters, particularly the girls at their club.