Namibian mixed martial artist Veja Hinda, secured the Versus Featherweight Championship on Saturday, defeating South Africa’s Iviwe Mphathiswa by rear-naked choke in the third round.

Reflecting on his win, Hinda expressed satisfaction with the result despite the challenges. “I fought a very experienced athlete with only three weeks’ notice and still managed to get the finish,” he said. 

“I had three weeks to prepare, so I had to ramp up my training intensity. Unfortunately, that led to a few injuries that hindered my ability to train and fight at 100%. Despite that, I fought smartly and did the best I could with what I had, and it worked out perfectly. He’s a tough opponent, but toughness can only take you so far. This is chess, not checkers.”

Looking ahead, Hinda is eager for more opportunities. “I am trying to get as many fights as possible. If I can get one in the next two weeks, I’ll be happy. If not, I’ll likely defend my title in April.”

Before this bout, Hinda gained recognition at the 2022 International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) African Championships, where he clinched a gold medal, solidifying his reputation in African MMA. -lmupetami@nepc.com.na