Fight fans will be pleased to know that the first PFL Africa fight card is officially locked in.
The Professional Fighters League is one of the biggest MMA brands alongside the UFC, and will now be the first major organisation to break ground on the continent next month in Cape Town, South Africa.
On 19 July, at the Grand Arena in GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World, some of Africa’s most talented mixed martial artists will have the opportunity to make a big statement and embark on a journey to PFL gold in the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament.
The show will also feature world-renowned combat sports stars, forming part of an exciting and historic 14-fight card.
This event marks a landmark moment for South Africa and the African continent as the PFL continues its global expansion plan following the launch of other leagues, including PFL MENA and PFL Europe.
This vision aims to bolster the African combat sports market and ecosystem.
The launch of the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament will include first-round matchups in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions, each comprising an eight-man bracket.
The tournament will span four events across Africa and feature 24 elite fighters from 14 African countries.
In addition to tournament bouts, next month’s show will be headlined by five high-stakes PFL Champions Series fights featuring elite global talent.
Among the fighters competing on the PFL Africa card will be South Africa’s former BRAVE CF Bantamweight champion Nkosi Ndebele, who takes on Egypt’s Mahmoud Atef. Also fighting in the Bantamweight knockout tournament is EFC star and Zimbabwe’s unbeaten Simbarashe Hokonya, who will face another undefeated prospect in Cameroon’s Alain Majorique.
In the Heavyweight bracket, South Africa’s Justin Clarke meets Majorique’s compatriot Jashell Ticha Awa, while Senegal’s Abdoullah Kane clashes with Morocco’s Mohammad Ben Yahia.
In a showcase Women’s Strawweight bout, the dangerous and unbeaten Nigerian Juliet Ukah faces South Africa’s Ceileigh Niedermayr, a seasoned competitor under the bright international lights.
In the Champions Series, fans can expect to see some of their favourite global stars.
At 145 pounds, former Bellator Featherweight World Champion AJ “Mercenary” McKee returns to the SmartCage to face Akhmed Magomedov, a rising Russian talent and protégé of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Also confirmed is a Heavyweight showcase featuring current Light Heavyweight World Champion Corey Anderson, who moves up a division to take on 2024 PFL Heavyweight Champion Denis Goltsov.
Artur Zaynukov returns to the PFL following an impressive showing at Battle of the Giants, aiming to extend his win streak to six. He faces RIZIN veteran Takeshi Izumi of Japan, a decorated wrestler who earned a unanimous decision over Spike Carlyle in his most recent outing.
Headlining the evening is undefeated Middleweight World Champion Johnny “Pressure” Eblen, who puts his perfect record and title on the line against Spain’s surging contender Costello “The Spaniard” van Steenis (16-3).
In the co-main event, Women’s Flyweight phenom “Dangerous” Dakota Ditcheva, widely considered one of the top pound-for-pound female fighters in MMA, takes on Hawaii’s elite striker Sumiko “Lady Samurai” Inaba in a thrilling penultimate bout.
In July 2024, the PFL announced its third international league—PFL Africa—following the launches of PFL Europe and PFL MENA, with the aim of showcasing African talent on the global stage.
Former UFC Heavyweight and current global combat superstar, Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou, serves as acting chairman of the league. He will also take on a pivotal ambassadorial role to grow the Professional Fighters League in the Motherland and develop the next generation of African champions.
“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,” says 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 are 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.”
The PFL Cape Town event begins at 4:30 p.m. SAST / 10:30 a.m. EST with the PFL Africa portion of the card, followed by the PFL Champions Series at 8:30 p.m. SAST / 2:30 p.m. EST. A U.S. broadcast partner will be announced shortly. Tickets for this landmark event are on sale now via Ticketpro and are moving quickly.
PFL Champions series card
Saturday, July 19 @ 8.30pm
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Middleweight World Championship Main Event: Johnny Eblen (16-0) vs Costello van Steenis (16-3)
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Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event: Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) vs Sumiko Inaba (8-1)
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Featherweight Showcase Bout: AJ McKee (22-2) vs Akhmed Magomedov (11-1)
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Lightweight Showcase Bout: Artur Zaynukov (16-4) vs Takeshi Izumi (6-3)
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Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Corey Anderson (18-6) vs Denis Goltsov (36-8)
PFL Africa Card
Saturday, 19 July @ 4.30pm
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Bantamweight First Round Bout: Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) vs Mahmoud Atef (5-2)
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Heavyweight First Round Bout: Maxwell Djantou Nana (6-1) vs Mikael Groguhe (6-2)
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Bantamweight First Round Bout: Shannon Van Tonder (7-2) vs Boule Godogo (3-0)
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Heavyweight First Round Bout: Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1) vs Justin Clarke (2-0)
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Bantamweight First Round Bout: Antero Dos Santos (5-0) vs Karim Henniene (4-0)
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Heavyweight First Round Bout: Abdoullah Kane (3-0) vs Mohammed Ben Yahia (9-4)
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Bantamweight First Round Bout: Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0) vs Alain Majorique (5-0)
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Heavyweight First Round Bout: Abraham Bably (5-2) vs Badredinne Medkouri (7-2)
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Showcase Women’s Strawweight Bout: Juliet Ukah (6-0) vs Ceileigh Niedermayr (3-2)
