The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has officially announced the launch of PFL Africa, its third international league, with a monumental debut set for Saturday, July 26 at GrandWest Arena in Cape Town. This marks the beginning of the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament, which kicks off with first-round matchups in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions.

The inaugural event will also serve as a stage for five PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai fights, headlined by two blockbuster bouts. In the main event, undefeated Middleweight World Champion Johnny Eblen (16-0) will defend his title against Spain’s Costello van Steenis (16-3). The co-main event will showcase undefeated 2024 Women’s Flyweight Champion Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) as she takes on Sumiko Inaba (8-1) of Hawaii. Additional Champions Series fights are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

PFL Africa’s launch is underpinned by groundbreaking distribution partnerships with Canal+ and SuperSport, ensuring extensive broadcast coverage across Sub-Saharan Africa. Further accessibility is driven by a mobile-first content platform in partnership with Content For Mobile (CFM) and leading telcos, making fight content available to over 90% of African households.

Global MMA icon and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will serve as Chairman of PFL Africa, leading the charge to develop the next generation of African MMA stars. Backing the venture is Helios Sports & Entertainment Group, a key capital partner known for its investment in NBA Africa. Elias Schulze, a veteran strategist with deep roots across more than 20 African markets, will oversee operations as General Manager of PFL Africa.

2025 PFL Africa Tournament: First Round Bouts

Heavyweight Division:

• 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 Division:

• Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) [South Africa] vs. Mahmoud Atef (5-2) [Egypt]

• Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0) [Zimbabwe] vs. Abderrahman Errachidy (4-1) [Morocco]

The semifinal and final legs of the tournament will be held later in 2025, with dates and locations to be announced soon.

Updated Champions Series: Road to Dubai Bouts

• 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)

Executive Quotes

Peter Murray, CEO of the Professional Fighters League, emphasized the league’s vision:

“Kicking off the PFL Champions Series in Cape Town alongside the launch of PFL Africa reflects our commitment to grow the sport of MMA throughout the continent and provide pathways for African fighters to become champions on the global stage.”

Francis Ngannou, PFL Africa Chairman, stated:

“PFL Africa is not just a league—it’s a movement. We’re here to inspire, develop, and crown the next generation of African champions.”

Helios Co-Founder and Managing Partner, added:

“We are proud to bring PFL Africa to life. This platform has the potential to redefine African sports by providing athletes with real opportunities and fans with elite MMA entertainment.”

With world-class athletes, unmatched broadcast reach, and a leadership team anchored by some of Africa’s most respected figures, PFL Africa is set to become the most accessible and powerful combat sports league on the continent.