When a baby is born, one of the first signs that doctors, nurses, and even family members look out for is the unmistakable sound of the baby’s first cry.

While it may seem like a simple, instinctive reaction, a newborn’s cry plays a vital role in ensuring the baby’s health and survival. In fact, in most delivery rooms around the world, the sound of a baby crying brings a sigh of relief, signaling that the baby is transitioning well into the world outside the womb.

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Why Babies Must Cry at Birth

Crying at birth is not just an emotional moment; it’s a biological necessity. Inside the womb, a baby doesn’t need to breathe through their lungs. Instead, oxygen and nutrients are delivered via the placenta and umbilical cord. The baby’s lungs are filled with fluid, and their respiratory system is not yet active.

But once the baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, the newborn must begin breathing on their own. The first cry helps jumpstart this process. That initial wail helps:

• Clear fluid from the lungs: The pressure created when the baby cries helps push out any remaining amniotic fluid in the lungs.

• Open up the air sacs: The lungs need to inflate like a balloon for the first time. Crying helps open up the tiny air sacs (alveoli) so that oxygen can enter the bloodstream.

• Regulate heart rate and oxygen: The act of breathing and crying helps stabilise the baby’s heart rate, blood circulation, and oxygen levels.

Crying also serves as the baby’s first form of communication, indicating that they are cold, hungry, or uncomfortable.

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What It Means If a Baby Doesn’t Cry at Birth

It’s important to note that not all babies cry immediately after birth, and that doesn’t always mean there’s a problem. Some babies may start breathing silently without the dramatic wail. However, in many cases, if a baby doesn’t cry, it may be a sign that:

• They are having trouble breathing

• They have fluid remaining in their lungs

• They are in distress

• There may be neurological issues

Healthcare professionals are trained to respond quickly if a baby doesn’t cry. They might gently stimulate the baby, suction fluids from the nose and mouth, or provide oxygen or other forms of respiratory support. In more serious cases, resuscitation may be necessary.

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Why Some Babies Don’t Cry

1. C-section delivery: Babies born via Cesarean section may not experience the same pressure during delivery that helps clear fluid from the lungs, leading to delayed crying.

2. Premature birth: Premature babies may have underdeveloped lungs and may need help to breathe and cry.

3. Medication during labour: Certain pain relief medications given to the mother can affect the baby’s nervous system, leading to drowsiness or reduced responsiveness.

4. Birth complications: A difficult or traumatic delivery can affect the baby’s ability to cry immediately.

5. Congenital issues: Rarely, babies may be born with birth defects that affect their breathing or vocal cords.

A baby’s first cry is a critical indicator of health and a signal that the baby has successfully transitioned from the womb to the outside world. While some babies may not cry right away and still be perfectly healthy, the absence of that cry can also point to underlying issues that require immediate medical attention.

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The Professional Fighters League is officially launching PFL Africa, the organization’s third international league, with a historic debut event on Saturday, July 26 at GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, South Africa. The July 26 event in Cape Town launches the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament, beginning with First Round matchups in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. Each division will feature an eight-man bracket, with fighters advancing through semifinals and finals.

In addition, the event will be headlined by five PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai bouts. In the World Title main event, undefeated Middleweight World Champion Johnny Eblen (16-0) meets Spain’s Costello van Steenis (16-3). In the co-main event, undefeated 2024 PFL World Champion Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) takes on Hawaii’s Sumiko Inaba (8-1). Additional Champions Series: Road to Dubai bouts will be announced shortly.

The launch of PFL Africa is bolstered by strategic distribution partnerships with Canal+, ensuring broad coverage across sub-Saharian Africa. In addition, SuperSport is also a distributor, ensuring broad coverage across the region. To further expand accessibility, PFL has introduced a mobile-first platform, distributed in partnership with CFM (Content For Mobile), exclusively via the region’s leading telcos, delivering affordable fight content directly to fans across Africa. With these combined efforts, PFL Africa immediately becomes one of the most accessible sports leagues on the continent, and is on track to reach over 90% of African households.

PFL Africa will be led by global MMA icon Francis Ngannou as Chairman, who will play a central role in developing the next generation of African champions and shaping the league’s long-term growth. Helios Sports & Entertainment Group, known for its strategic investment in NBA Africa, joins as a key capital partner. Elias Schulze, a seasoned executive with nearly two decades of experience in strategy, finance, and operations across over 20 African markets, has been appointed General Manager of PFL Africa to oversee its launch and expansion.

The inaugural PFL Africa Tournament will feature eight-man brackets in each weight class, starting with the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. The full tournament schedule and host cities for the semifinals and finals, will be announced shortly.

In the First Round of the Heavyweight bracket:Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1) of Cameroon faces Justin Clarke (2-0) of South AfricaAbdoullah Kane (3-0) of Senegal meets Mohammad Ben Yahia (9-4) of MoroccoIn the Bantamweight bracket:Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) of South Africa takes on Mahmoud Atef (5-2) of EgyptSimbarashe Hokonya (5-0) of Zimbabwe battles Abderrahman Errachidy (4-1) of MoroccoThe remaining tournament bouts will be announced soon.

Kicking off the PFL Champions Series in Cape Town alongside the launch of PFL Africa reflects our commitment to grow the sport of MMA throughout the continent as well as provide pathways for African fighters to compete on a global stage and become champions, said Peter Murray, CEO of the Professional Fighters League. With PFL Europe, PFL MENA and now PFL Africa launching, PFL’s international growth strategy and footprint is unmatched in the sport. This is all made possible by building a great team. I’m proud to partner with Francis Ngannou and Helios Sports & Entertainment Group and excited to welcome Elias Schulze as GM of PFL Africa.

We are proud to partner with the Professional Fighters League to help bring PFL Africa to life. This initiative aligns with Helios’ mission to back high-growth, high-impact ventures across the continent. With the leadership of Francis Ngannou and a strong local foundation, PFL Africa has the potential to become a transformative platform for African athletes, fans, and the broader sports ecosystem, said Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Helios Investment Partners.

Updated PFL Africa Card:

Heavyweight First Round Bout: Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1) vs. Justin Clarke (2-0) Bantamweight First Round Bout: Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) vs. Mahmoud Atef (5-2) Heavyweight First Round Bout: Abdoullah Kane (3-0) vs. Mohammad Ben Yahia (9-4) Bantamweight First Round Bout: Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0) vs. Abderrahman Errachidy (4-1)

Updated PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai Card:

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Middleweight World Title Main Event: Johnny Eblen (16-0) vs. Costello van Steenis (16-3) Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event: Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) vs. Sumiko Inaba (8-1)

ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE

Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a global powerhouse in MMA and the fastest-growing sports league world-wide. PFL is the only MMA organization with the “win and advance” format. PFL is broadcast and streamed to 190 countries with 20 leading media partners. PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors including SURJ, Ares, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, 885 Capital, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners. MMA is the growth sport business of this decade, with 650 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demographic, and true global revenue streams.

PFLmma.com; Instagram (@PFLmma); Twitter (@PFLMMA); Facebook (/PFLmma)

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I still remember the day I met Niyi. We were both 12 years old, sitting in the same Sunday school class at our local church in Enugu. 

He was the quiet, smart one who always carried his Bible like it was glued to his hand. I was the troublemaker who cracked jokes during sermons. Somehow, we became best friends.

For 15 years, I thought I knew everything about Niyi.

I was wrong.

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Niyi was the kind of guy parents pointed at and said, “Why can’t you be like him?” He finished top of our class, got a scholarship to study Medicine at UNIBEN, and even became a youth leader in church. Meanwhile, I was struggling to pass my courses.

Whenever I complained about life, Niyi would pat my shoulder and say, “Don’t worry, bro. God’s time is the best.”

I believed him.

Last year, something changed.

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Niyi started acting… different. He would disappear for days, then return with expensive things like new iPhones and designer shoes. Things a medical student shouldn’t be able to afford.

“Where are you getting all this?” I asked one day. He smiled. “God is blessing me, my brother.”

I wanted to believe him. I really wanted to. But something was just… off.

One Friday night, Niyi called me at 2 AM.

“Bro, I need your help. Come to No. 14 Cemetery Road. Now.”

His voice was urgent, shaky. I thought maybe he was in an accident. I grabbed my wallet and rushed out.

When I got there, the street was empty, except for one black car with tinted windows. The door opened.

“Enter inside,” a deep voice said.

Inside the car, Niyi sat between two men in black hoodies. His hands were trembling.

“Niyi, wetin happen?!” I shouted.

One of the hooded men pulled out a gun.

“Your friend has a problem,” the man said. “He joined us, took our oath, now he wants to run.”

My heart stopped.

“What oath? Niyi, what’s going on?!”

Niyi finally looked at me, tears in his eyes. “I’m… I’m a member of the Black Axe Confraternity.”

I was stunned!

The man with the gun leaned closer. “Tell your friend what happens to traitors.”

Niyi’s voice broke. “They kill them.”

I don’t know how we got out alive that night. Maybe it was the ₦500,000 bribe I gave them from my savings, maybe it was God.

My childhood friend eventually told me everything, how senior cult members recruited him in his second year at UNIBEN. How they promised him “protection and power.” How he took a blood oath in the dead of night.

“I thought I could leave after school,” he whispered. “But they own me now.”

Two weeks later, Niyi disappeared.

The last text he sent me read: “They found out I talked to you. I have to run. Don’t try to contact me.”

That was 8 months ago. I haven’t heard from him since.

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