Cotonou, Benin on December 20 will host a landmark night for African Mixed Martial Arts.
The inaugural PFL Africa Finals will crown four champions across the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, and Bantamweight divisions. Each victor will claim a $100,000 prize and the highly coveted inaugural PFL Africa Championship title, earning a pathway into the PFL global ecosystem.
This is more than a fight card; it is a culmination of a continent-wide journey showcasing Africa’s elite fighting talent. Here is a look at the four championship battles and the eight warriors who have fought their way to the Sofitel Dome.
Bantamweight Finals: Nkosi Ndebele (10-3) vs. Karim Henniene (6-0)
This main event features a clash of styles and temperaments, pitting a calculated veteran against an undefeated showman.
PFL Africa Bantamweight Finals
Ndebele, one of the more experienced fighters in the field, navigated a tough semifinal bout against Simbarashe Hokonya, securing a close, strategic split decision victory. His approach has been patient and technical, focusing on calculated strikes and control.
He has demonstrated a high fight IQ, conserved energy and capitalising on moments, which proved essential in his tight semifinal win. His experience will be key against the aggression of his opponent.
Henniene’s path has been one of high excitement, culminating in a dramatic third-round jumping knee knockout against Boule Godogo in the semifinals. Undefeated in his professional career, he brings a perfect record and a flair for the dramatic.
Known for his showmanship and search for the spectacular finish, Henniene weathered a tough second half of his semifinal bout before landing the highlight-reel knockout that booked his ticket to Cotonou.
Welterweight Finals: Shido Boris Esperança (11-1) vs. Yabna N’Tchala (13-2-1)
The Welterweight bracket brings an Angolan power-puncher against a striking ace from Guinea-Bissau in a compelling co-main event.
Esperança faced adversity in his semifinal, getting dropped early by Octave Ayinda. He showed incredible composure, recovering quickly, taking the fight to the mat, and securing a brutal first-round TKO via ground-and-pound. His 82% finish rate speaks to his power and aggression. His performance highlighted a warrior’s mentality—the ability to overcome a dangerous moment and turn the tables instantly.
PFL Africa Welterweight Finals
N’Tchala secured his spot with a convincing unanimous decision victory over Emilios Dassi. After a slow start, he took control in the latter rounds, showcasing a strong performance that included dominant back control in the final round. He is known as a striking ace, but his semifinal demonstrated a well-rounded game and excellent cage control. He will look to dictate the pace and range against the heavy hands of Esperança.
Heavyweight Finals: Justin Clarke (4-0) vs. Abraham Bably (7-2)
The battle for the Heavyweight title pits an undefeated finisher against a powerful Ivory Coast contender.
Clarke maintains a perfect professional record of 4-0, with a remarkable 100% finish rate. While the specifics of his semifinal victory are less detailed in available reports, his record alone establishes him as one of the most dangerous athletes on the card. Representing South Africa, Clarke enters the final as a fighter who has never let a fight reach the final bell, relying on his raw power and finishing instincts.
PFL Africa Heavyweight Finals
Bably lived up to his betting favorite status in the semifinals against Joffie Houlton, quickly securing a first-round TKOvictory. He cracked Houlton with big punches before taking the action to the ground, where he never let up. With 5 out of 7 professional wins coming via finish, Bably is a heavy-handed, aggressive fighter who aims to end fights early. His wrestling and ground-and-pound proved too much for his semifinal opponent.
Featherweight Finals: Alain Majorique (6-0) vs. Wasi Adeshina (9-3)
The Featherweight final is a contest between two fighters with dramatically different paths to the championship round.
Majorique’s journey is a story of seizing opportunity. Elevated to a semifinal bout on only 24 hours’ notice due to a card change, he remained unfazed. He weathered an aggressive start from Mohamed Camara and coasted to a unanimous decision win by applying consistent pressure in the later rounds. Remaining undefeated at 6-0, the Cameroonian fighter showed composure under pressure and the ability to dictate pace, even when thrown into a high-stakes bout on short notice.
Adeshina controlled his semifinal matchup with Dwight Joseph from bell-to-bell, securing a dominant decision victory. He entered the tournament on a strong run and has extended his impressive win streak to five fights. The Nigerian athlete has shown consistent urgency and control throughout the tournament. He has demonstrated that he can dominate opponents over the distance, making him a major threat for the championship belt.
A Historic Night for African MMA
The PFL Africa Finals is not just about the four championship belts; it is a global statement. The event highlights the continent’s deep well of elite fighting talent and provides a crucial professional pathway for African athletes.
As the fighters step into the SmartCage in Cotonou, they will be fighting for more than a title and a prize, they will be fighting to cement their legacy as the inaugural PFL Africa Champions.