PFL Africa semi-finals set to ignite Kigali as global expansion continues
Cameroon’s Maxwell Djantou Nana (7-1) beat Mickael Groguhe (6-3) in the first round of PFL Africa to advance to the semi-finals. He will now take on the undefeated South African prospect Justin Clarke (3-0) in a Heavyweight semi-final showdown. Photo: PFL
Image: PFL
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has officially unveiled the fight card for the inaugural PFL Africa Semifinals, marking another milestone in the organization’s ambitious global expansion. The event, set for Saturday, October 18, at Kigali’s BK Arena, will feature 11 bouts, including eight semifinals, in what is billed as the largest mixed martial arts (MMA) showcase ever staged in East Africa.
The PFL’s African journey began earlier this year with groundbreaking shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg, laying the foundation for the continent’s first dedicated PFL franchise. With Rwanda now set to host the semifinals, Africa edges closer to crowning its inaugural champions in December’s finals in Benin.
The Kigali card promises a blend of elite skill and national pride, featuring some of the continent’s most accomplished mixed martial artists. Fans can expect a showcase of regional rivalries and styles as fighters compete for a place in the inaugural PFL Africa finals.
In the featherweight division, Nigeria’s Wasi Adeshina (8-3) will lock horns with Liberia’s Dwight Joseph (15-2). Both men secured their semifinal berths with dominant performances in Johannesburg, and their matchup is expected to be one of the most technically intriguing clashes of the night.
Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App or Android and IOS now
Fight card for PFL Africa.
Image: PFL Africa
The welterweight bracket presents another thrilling contest as Guinea-Bissau’s Yabna “The Panther” N’tchala (12-2-1) looks to extend his reign of dominance against Cameroon’s Emilios Dassi (5-1). Dassi, a standout from the Francis Ngannou Foundation, carries knockout power that has drawn comparisons to Ngannou himself, making this fight a true clash of styles and power.
At bantamweight, two undefeated prospects will put their perfect records on the line. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Boule Godogo (4-0), who stunned fans with a major upset win over Shannon van Tonder, will face Algeria’s Karim “The Kryptonian” Henniene (5-0). With neither fighter having tasted defeat, their meeting has all the makings of a high-stakes battle where one man’s unbeaten streak must end.
Heavyweight action is set to ignite the arena with two explosive semifinal pairings. Ivory Coast’s Abraham “The One and Only” Bably (6-2) will square off against Nigeria’s Joffie Houlton (8-4), both known for their knockout prowess. Meanwhile, Cameroon’s Maxwell Djantou Nana (7-1) will collide with undefeated South African prospect Justin Clarke (3-0) in a bout that could shape the future of Africa’s heavyweight scene.
Adding a special local flavor to the card, Rwandan fighter James Opio (2-1) will represent the host nation when he takes on Uganda’s Isaac Omeda (2-0) in a showcase featherweight bout. With both men still early in their careers but eager to make their mark, the fight promises fireworks and a chance for Opio to deliver a memorable homecoming performance.
The co-main event pits South Africa’s Nkosi Ndebele (9-3) against undefeated Zimbabwean Simbarashe Hokonya (6-0), while Nigeria’s explosive Patrick Ocheme (7-1) headlines the evening against Burkina Faso’s Abdoul Razac Sankara (7-4), fresh off a highlight-reel knockout in Johannesburg.
Founded in 2018, the PFL has grown into one of MMA’s most prominent organizations by adopting a sports-season format—complete with a regular season, playoffs, and championship finals—unlike traditional promotion-led matchmaking. The league is now broadcast in over 150 countries and has expanded into regional franchises: PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and now PFL Africa.
PFL Africa represents not just a new market but also a chance to showcase the continent’s deep pool of combat sports talent. By offering athletes a pathway to global competition and prize money, the league is positioning Africa as a cornerstone of its international future. Rwanda, with its state-of-the-art BK Arena and reputation for hosting world-class events, provides the perfect stage.
Before the spotlight turns fully to Kigali, the PFL is also gearing up for another major showcase this weekend: the PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: The Rematch.
PFL Africa fight card
Image: PFL Africa
The 12-fight card is headlined by a championship double-header, with a main event that marks the biggest rematch in PFL history to date. Dagestan’s unbeaten PFL Lightweight World Champion Usman Nurmagomedov (19-0, 1 NC) will step into the SmartCage to face his former rival, Ireland’s Paul Hughes (14-2), once again in what promises to be a high-stakes, action-packed showdown.
The co-main event features the USA’s former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Corey Anderson (19-6) battling 2024 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1) of Turkmenistan for the World Title, with both fighters looking to cement their legacies on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
IOL Sport