The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is expanding its global footprint with the official launch of PFL Africa, the league’s third international division. The new venture will kick off with a historic mega event on Saturday, July 26, at GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, combining the first round of the PFL Africa 2025 Tournament with a blockbuster PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai card.
PFL Africa will feature a four-event tournament across the continent in 2025, beginning with opening round bouts in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. The league will showcase 24 top fighters representing 14 African nations. Strategic broadcasting partnerships have been secured with Canal+ for French-language coverage and SuperSport for continental distribution, ensuring extensive access throughout Africa.
The league will be chaired by former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou, with Helios Sports & Entertainment Group as a capital partner and Elias Schulze appointed as General Manager. Together, the leadership aims to develop Africa’s next generation of MMA stars and build PFL Africa into a premier sports property.
Headlining the July 26 event is a Middleweight World Title clash between unbeaten champion Johnny Eblen (16-0) and Spain’s Costello van Steenis (16-3). In the co-main event, undefeated Women’s Flyweight World Champion Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) takes on Hawaii’s Sumiko Inaba (8-1).
The tournament will launch with four confirmed bouts:
Heavyweight Bracket
-
Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1), Cameroon vs. Justin Clarke (2-0), South Africa
-
Abdoullah Kane (3-0), Senegal vs. Mohammad Ben Yahia (9-4), Morocco
Bantamweight Bracket
-
Nkosi Ndebele (8-3), South Africa vs. Mahmoud Atef (5-2), Egypt
-
Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0), Zimbabwe vs. Abderrahman Errachidy (4-1), Morocco
More matchups and event details will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Launching PFL Africa alongside a Champions Series card in Cape Town shows our commitment to the continent,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “We are building opportunities for African fighters to rise on a global stage.”
“PFL Africa can transform the MMA landscape in Africa,” added Helios co-founder and managing partner. “We’re proud to help shape this historic initiative.”
Updated PFL Africa Tournament Card
Saturday, July 26 – GrandWest Arena, Cape Town
-
Heavyweight First Round Bout: Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1) vs. Justin Clarke (2-0)
-
Heavyweight First Round Bout: Abdoullah Kane (3-0) vs. Mohammad Ben Yahia (9-4)
-
Bantamweight First Round Bout: Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) vs. Mahmoud Atef (5-2)
-
Bantamweight First Round Bout: Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0) vs. Abderrahman Errachidy (4-1)
PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai Card
-
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)
Additional bouts to be announced.
Leave a comment
Please login to leave a comment.