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PFL Africa Featherweight and Welterweight Semifinals Set After Explosive Night

The PFL Africa First Round delivered fireworks at the Big Top Arena in Carnival City on Saturday night as Africa’s top Featherweight and Welterweight fighters battled for a place in the semifinals.

In the main event, Patrick Ocheme (7-1) earned a unanimous decision win over Mohamed Camara (5-3-1) to book his spot in the PFL Africa Featherweight Semifinals. Ocheme rebounded from a slow first round, dropping Camara in the second and controlling the action down the stretch to seal the victory.

The co-main event ended in lightning fashion when Shido Boris Esperanca (10-1) submitted Ibrahima Mané (13-6) just 34 seconds into the first round. Esperanca stormed forward at the opening bell, secured Mané’s back, and locked in a rear-naked choke to punch his ticket to the PFL Africa Welterweight Semifinals.

Also in welterweight action, Octave Ayinda (6-0) remained undefeated with a first-round TKO over British Boloyoang (3-2). After escaping a guillotine attempt, Ayinda unleashed ground-and-pound strikes that forced the stoppage at 1:55 of Round 1.

Yabna N’tchala (12-2-1) dominated Sanon Sadeck (7-3) across three rounds, outstriking and outgrappling his opponent to earn a unanimous decision win and secure his semifinal berth.

With the results, the PFL Africa Featherweight and Welterweight Finals are now locked in. Ocheme will face Abdoul Razac Sankara, while Wasi Adeshina meets Dwight Joseph in the featherweight bracket. On the welterweight side, Esperanca takes on Octave Ayinda, and N’tchala will clash with Emilios Dassi.

PFL Africa First Round: Johannesburg Results

  • Patrick Ocheme def. Mohamed Camara via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

  • Shido Boris Esperanca def. Ibrahima Mané via submission (rear-naked choke) at 0:34, Round 1

  • Octave Ayinda def. British Boloyoang via TKO at 1:55, Round 1

  • Yabna N’tchala def. Sanon Sadeck via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

  • Emilios Dassi def. Osvaldo Benedito via KO (punches) at 2:12, Round 1

  • Wasi Adeshina def. Jean Jacques Lubaya via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:14, Round 2

  • Dwight Joseph def. Wilker Nsamo via KO (knee) at 4:57, Round 2

  • Abderahman Errachidy def. Elbert Steyn via TKO (knee) at 0:14, Round 2

  • Abdoul Razac Sankara def. Shadrack Yemba via KO (head kick) at 2:01, Round 1

  • Kunle Lawal def. Desmond Tamungang via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)