Ballito MMA fighter Amanda “MadDog” Lino successfully defended her EFC Women’s Flyweight Championship with a commanding performance in Johannesburg last week.

The 35-year-old champion defeated Nigerian bantamweight champion Juliet Chukwu (27) in a highly anticipated clash between reigning divisional titleholders.

Lino sealed victory with a decisive tap-out armbar submission 3 minutes and 28 seconds into the third round of the scheduled five-round contest. It is the first time a female fighter has successfully defended an EFC championship belt.

She had previously become the first woman in EFC history to simultaneously hold two titles, following her victory over Brazil’s Mariana Salles at EFC 123 last year after a break from the sport.

“It was amazing being in the cage again,” said Lino.

“The fight went exactly the way we wanted. I was on a different level in terms of how I performed. I’ve matured, become calm and more calculated.”

The victory improves her professional MMA record to 6-2.

“All credit goes to my team at KO Fighting Fitness for what has been the best camp of my career,” she said.

“Every session, every push, every challenge helped prepare me for this moment. I wouldn’t be where I am without my coach Rodney van der Vlugt. He has put in countless hours, made sacrifices and invested his faith in me, and stood by me through every low.”

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Lino is a popular figure in Ballito and enjoyed widespread support from the community, both from afar and from a large group of fans who travelled to watch the fight live.

“Thank you so much for all the messages, support and encouragement. It honestly means the world to me,” she said.

“The community is just awesome. I am blessed to live in a place where I have such great backing.”