The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is set to make combat sports history with its first-ever event in Africa, PFL Cape Town, scheduled for Saturday, July 19 at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town, South Africa. This milestone marks the beginning of the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament and showcases some of the most elite talent in global MMA.

The PFL Africa card will kick off the festivities, highlighting the First Round of the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament with eight-man brackets in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. A special women’s Strawweight showcase bout between undefeated Juliet Ukah and Ceileigh Niedermayr adds to the excitement.

Top global stars clash in PFL Champions Series

The evening concludes with five PFL Champions Series bouts featuring a mix of unbeaten champions and rising contenders. Headlining is Middleweight World Champion Johnny “Pressure” Eblen (16-0), who defends his title and perfect record against Spain’s Costello van Steenis (16-3).

In the co-main event, Women’s Flyweight standout Dakota “Dangerous” Ditcheva (14-0) looks to continue her dominance against Hawaiian striker Sumiko “Lady Samurai” Inaba (8-1).

Featherweight fireworks are expected as AJ McKee (22-2), a former Bellator champion, returns to face Akhmed Magomedov (11-1), a fast-rising Russian prospect and Khabib Nurmagomedov protégé. Meanwhile, Light Heavyweight champ Corey Anderson (18-6) moves up to challenge 2024 Heavyweight champion Denis Goltsov (36-8) in a much-anticipated clash.

Another feature pits Artur Zaynukov (16-4), riding a five-fight win streak, against RIZIN vet Takeshi Izumi (6-3), known for his elite wrestling.

Global broadcast and tournament implications

The action begins at 4:30 PM SAST / 10:30 AM EST with the PFL Africa segment, followed by the Champions Series at 8:30 PM SAST / 2:30 PM EST. African fans can catch the broadcast via SuperSport and Canal+, while DAZN will stream the event in France, the UK, and Ireland. A U.S. broadcast partner will be announced soon.

With tickets now available via Ticketpro, fans have the opportunity to witness this groundbreaking event live, as PFL Cape Town redefines the MMA landscape in Africa.