PFL semifinals set for Rwanda

The Professional Fighters League announced on Monday the four bouts for the historic first-ever PFL Africa semifinals, taking place on 18 October at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

This event marks the biggest MMA competition ever to take place in East Africa, underscoring Rwanda’s growing reputation as a premier destination for world-class sports and entertainment.

Africa’s elite fighters are currently on the road to Benin, where four champions will be crowned and claim the title of the very best in Africa.

After two groundbreaking events in Cape Town and Johannesburg, the inaugural PFL Africa Tournament now reaches its semifinal stage, where Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, and Bantamweight finalists will be decided, with additional bouts to be announced shortly.

“This is a historic moment for PFL and for the sport across Africa,” said John Martin, PFL CEO. “We’re proud to bring the first-ever PFL Africa semifinals to Kigali’s BK Arena and showcase the continent’s best on one of its premier stages.”

In the main event, Nigeria’s Patrick Ocheme (7-1), who outworked Mohamed Camara in Johannesburg to secure his place in the semifinals, now faces Burkina Faso’s Abdoul Razac Sankara (7-4), the flashy striker who delivered Joburg’s knockout of the night with a spectacular head kick over Shadrick Dju Yemba.

Their meeting pits Ocheme’s steady composure and experience against Sankara’s explosive finishing power, with a place in the 145-pound Finals hanging in the balance.

SA v ZIMBABWE

The co-main event features South Africa’s Nkosi Ndebele (9-3), known as the “King of Many Nations,” who continues his march through the Bantamweight bracket after a commanding performance in Cape Town.

Across the SmartCage will be undefeated Simbarashe “Simba” Hokonya (6-0), a dangerous contender from Zimbabwe who trains with Nicholas Hwende, the last man to hand Ndebele a loss. With national pride and personal redemption on the line in Kigali, the stage is set for a dramatic semifinal showdown.

Welterweight action sees Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança (10-1), fresh off a viral 34-second submission win in Johannesburg, taking on Cameroon’s undefeated Octave “Bantu Warrior” Ayinda (7-0), who blasted through his previous opponent with a first-round TKO.

Both fighters ignited social media with their dancing celebrations, but in Rwanda only one will be able to celebrate and advance to the Finals.

HEAVYWEIGHTS

The Heavyweight bracket opens the main card, as Cameroon’s Maxwell Djantou Nana (7-1), who impressed the Cape Town crowd with his power, collides with South Africa’s undefeated Justin Clarke (3-0), who eliminated Nana’s countryman Jashell Ticha Awa in the first round.

With both men eager to establish themselves as the face of PFL Africa’s Heavyweight division, fans can expect a thunderous start to the night.

All the action is available on SuperSport, on DStv.