Amanda “Maddog” Lino Defends her EFC Flyweight Title at EFC 134 With Third-Round Armbar

EFC 134: History Made Again in Johannesburg

When the cage door closed at EFC 134 in Johannesburg on 4 June 2026, history was on the line once again. In one of the biggest women’s MMA contests ever held on African soil, reigning EFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Amanda “Maddog” Lino faced Nigerian Bantamweight Champion Juliet Chukwu in a Champion vs Champion main event.

For Chukwu, victory meant becoming a two-division champion. For Lino, it was another chance to cement a legacy that has already reshaped the landscape of women’s mixed martial arts in Africa. When the dust settled, Amanda Lino secured the win via armbar submission in the third round — with this victory, Amanda became the first female athlete in EFC history to defend a title.

A Champion Who Continues to Break Barriers

Amanda Lino’s career has never been about simply winning fights — it has been about creating opportunities where none previously existed. Long before women’s MMA received mainstream recognition in Africa, Amanda was competing, building her skills, and proving female athletes belonged on the biggest stages in the sport.

Her list of achievements reads like a history book for African women’s MMA:

• First female champion in EFC history
• First Woman’s Flyweight Champion
• First Woman’s Bantamweight Champion
• First Double Woman’s Division Champion
• Fastest Professional Knockout in EFC History — 10 seconds, against Jacqualine Trosee
• First woman to successfully defend the EFC Flyweight Championship
• One of Africa’s most accomplished female MMA athletes

These achievements haven’t only elevated her own career — they’ve raised the profile of women’s combat sports across the continent. Every title won and every barrier broken has created a pathway for the next generation of female fighters to follow.

Champion vs Champion: Lino vs Chukwu Breakdown

The EFC 134 main event was billed as one of the biggest women’s fights in African MMA history. Juliet Chukwu entered as the reigning EFC Bantamweight Champion and one of the most dangerous female fighters on the continent — strong, athletic, and aggressive, she represented a serious threat to Lino’s flyweight reign.

The fight delivered exactly what fans expected. Chukwu brought relentless pressure and physicality, while Lino showcased the composure, technical precision, and championship experience that have defined her career. As the contest progressed, Amanda’s fight IQ became increasingly evident — and in the third round, she found her opening: a technically brilliant armbar submission, forcing the tap and retaining her EFC Flyweight Championship.

It was a championship performance from a champion who continues to set the standard for women’s MMA in South Africa and beyond.

The Influence of Coach Rodney Van Der Vlught

Behind every great fighter is a great coach. For Amanda, that person has been Rodney Van Der Vlught — a long-time friend, mentor, and coach who has played an instrumental role in her evolution from talented athlete to world-class mixed martial artist. Built on years of trust and mutual respect, his influence shows in her fight maturity, her strategic approach, and her composure under pressure in the biggest moments of her career. Amanda continues to fight out of KO Fighting Fitness in the Netherlands, developing her craft alongside some of the country’s top combat sports athletes.

More Than a Fighter: Co-Founder of Maddog Performance Institute

While Amanda’s accomplishments inside the cage are remarkable, her impact extends far beyond competition. Today, Amanda is a co-founder and owner of Maddog Performance Institute in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal — a facility that has quickly become one of the region’s leading martial arts, performance, and recovery centres.

The vision is simple: create a world-class environment where athletes, professionals, and everyday people can improve their health, performance, confidence, and quality of life. The facility offers:

• Elite Personal Training — tailored coaching for sustainable fitness, weight loss, strength, and performance goals
• MMA Training — comprehensive coaching for beginners, amateur competitors, and aspiring professional fighters
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) — structured programs for adults and children focused on self-defence, fitness, and competition
• Boxing & Kickboxing — dynamic striking classes for fitness, confidence, and combat skills
• Strength & Powerlifting Coaching — evidence-based training for athletic performance and long-term health
• Wellness & Recovery — infrared sauna, ice baths, contrast therapy, and sports recovery treatments
• IV Drip Therapy — advanced hydration and wellness support from qualified healthcare professionals
• Medical Weight Loss Management & Physiotherapy — professional rehabilitation and sustainable health solutions

Explore the full training programs or learn more about our recovery suite available at the Ballito facility.

Developing the Next Generation in Ballito

One of Amanda’s greatest passions is youth development. Throughout her career, she has consistently mentored young athletes, helping them discover the life-changing benefits of martial arts. MMA and BJJ teach far more than fighting — they build discipline, accountability, confidence, respect, resilience, goal setting, and mental toughness. These are qualities that extend well beyond the cage and into everyday life.

Through Amanda Lino’s work at Maddog Performance Institute, young people across KZN North Coast have access to world-champion-level coaching and mentorship, right here in Ballito.

A Legacy Still Being Written

Many athletes reach a point where they begin protecting their legacy. Amanda Lino continues to build hers. Her victory at EFC 134 wasn’t simply another title defence — it was another milestone in a career that has transformed women’s mixed martial arts in Africa.

From becoming the first female EFC champion, to the first female double-division champion, to now the first woman to successfully defend the EFC Flyweight Championship, Amanda has repeatedly achieved what many believed was impossible. As a coach, mentor, business owner, and role model, she continues to inspire athletes across South Africa and the African continent. The champion remains at the top. The pioneer continues to lead. And the legacy continues to grow.

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