Amanda Lino defends Title with UFC Contract in sight

By Rynhardt Kuhn
5th June 2026

Amanda 'Mad Dog' Lino overcame illegal blows to defeat Juliet Chukwu with a perfectly executed arm bar in the third round of the EFC 134 main event.

In the first round, Lino succeeded with her takedown attempt after taking a low blow from Chukwu that forced a brief pause in action. As soon as the second round started, the ‘Mad Dog’ came out with serious intent and pinned Chukwu down while raining down nasty elbows from her full mount position. It was during this time that Chukwu (The Bantamweight Champion) illegally stuck her fingers into the gloves of Lino, Chukwu then landed an illegal kick on a grounded Lino which resulted in a point deduction and some serious damage on the flyweight champion.

But Lino remained resolute and eventually landed a triangle which trapped Chukwu’s arm, giving her the perfect opportunity to execute a perfect arm bar – at which point the Nigerian champion tapped out.

Amanda Lino ended the fight scarred up and bloodied, but she fulfilled her promise and dominated the fight to defend her belt and take a step closer to a possible contract with the UFC or the PFL…

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“I have definitely been working on my ground game and then progression from there. Her game plan was to keep me further away, but at the end of the day I was going to wear her down for one or two rounds and then do what I came to do, which was to finish her. There were a few tough blows I had to take, but at the end of the day I have a big heart and I wasn’t going to let that stop me.

“The first round didn’t go according to plan, but we adjust in this sport, and I think this victory will give me that shot for the next step moving forward. I’ll be waiting for the call.”

PHOTO Credit: EFC