Drama at the scales: PFL Africa semi-finals reshuffled after weight misses

The 2025 PFL Africa semi-finals in Rwanda received a shake-up following Friday’s weigh-ins, with four athletes failing to make weight.

Ahead of Saturday’s knockout show at the BK Arena in Kigali, former main event competitors Patrick Ocheme and Abdoul Razac Sankara were both removed from the Featherweight tournament after missing the 65.8 kg limit. Their bout will now continue as a 71.2 kg catchweight showcase.

With Ocheme and Sankara out of the Featherweight bracket, South Africa’s Nkosi “The King of Many Nations” Ndebele (9-3) and Zimbabwe’s Simbarashe “The Hawk” Hokonya (6-0) — who both made weight at 61.5 kg and 61.3 kg respectively — will now headline the card. Their Bantamweight clash will determine who advances to the PFL Africa finals, set to take place in Benin on 20 December.

In the co-main event, Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança (10-1) and Cameroon’s unbeaten Octave Ayinda (7-0) are ready to collide in a Welterweight semi-final, after both successfully came in under the 77.6 kg limit. With the fight now official, both athletes will look to secure a place in history as the first-ever PFL Africa Welterweight champion.

Elsewhere on the card, Karim Henniène will forfeit 20% of his show purse to opponent Boule Godogo after weighing in at 62.2 kg for their Bantamweight semi-final.

Featherweight contender Wasi Adeshina was also penalised after coming in at 67.1 kg ahead of his bout with Dwight Joseph, who will receive 20% of Adeshina’s purse.

In an unexpected twist, Mohamed Camara and Alain Majorique, originally slated for a Featherweight showcase bout, have been promoted into the Featherweight semi-final tournament, giving both fighters a chance to compete for a place in the finals.

The 2025 PFL Africa semi-finals: Rwanda take place on Saturday, live from the BK Arena in Kigali, with fights starting at 6pm CAT (12pm ET, 5pm BST).

Catch all the action live on SuperSport and Canal+, or stream for free in the United States via the PFL App.

PFL Africa Semi-finals: Rwanda Main Card BK Arena, Kigali, Rwanda SuperSport (Africa – English) | Canal+ (Africa – French) | PFL App (U.S.)

Saturday, 18 October

Bantamweight Semi-final Main Event: Nkosi Ndebele (61.6 kg) vs. Simbarashe Hokonya (61.4 kg)

Welterweight Semi-final Co-Main Event: Shido Boris Esperança (77.4 kg) vs. Octave Ayinda (76.8 kg)

Heavyweight Semi-final Bout: Maxwell Djantou Nana (119.5 kg) vs. Justin Clarke (110.9 kg)

157 lbs (71.2 kg) Catchweight Showcase Bout: Patrick Ocheme (70.9 kg) vs. Abdoul Razac Sankara (68.6 kg)*

Heavyweight Semi-final Bout: Abraham Bably (111.1 kg) vs. Joffie Houlton (119.7 kg)

Bantamweight Semi-final Bout: Boule Godogo (61.4 kg) vs. Karim Henniène (62.2 kg)*

Welterweight Semi-final Bout: Yabna N’tchala (77.3 kg) vs. Emilios Dassi (77.4 kg)

Featherweight Semi-final Bout: Wasi Adeshina (67.1 kg) vs. Dwight Joseph (66.1 kg)*

Featherweight Showcase Bout: James Opio (66.2 kg) vs. Isaac Omeda (63.4 kg)

Alternate Heavyweight Bout: Abdoulaye Kane (119.7 kg) vs. Emmanuel Mukam (106.8 kg)

Featherweight Semi-final Bout: Mohamed Camara (66.2 kg) vs. Alain Majorique (66.2 kg)