The 2025 PFL Africa Semifinals transformed Kigali’s BK Arena into the center of African MMA. DJ Niny and Afro Nation opened the show, and the fighters matched the energy inside the SmartCage. Across 11 bouts, the night featured five stoppages and six decisions, with athletes fighting for a spot in the PFL Africa Finals in Benin on December 20.

South Africa’s Nkosi Ndebele and Zimbabwe’s Simbarashe Hokonya closed the event with a tactical bantamweight semifinal. Ndebele worked behind sharp striking, while Hokonya pushed forward with pressure and wrestling. Two takedowns and a strong finish helped Ndebele secure a split decision win and a finals berth against Algeria’s unbeaten Karim Henniène. His victory set the tone for an intense road to Benin.

Esperança dominates, Clarke powers through

In the co-main event, Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança silenced the crowd early. Cameroon’s Octave Ayinda landed a hard left hand, but Esperança recovered fast. He took the back, unleashed a barrage of strikes, and forced a first-round stoppage to reach the welterweight final.

South Africa’s Justin Clarke delivered one of the most thrilling performances of the PFL Africa Semifinals 2025. He outlasted Cameroon’s Maxwell Djantou Nana in a high-paced heavyweight war. After trading combinations and heavy shots, Clarke’s pressure forced Nana to verbally concede in the third round, sending the South African into the final.

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Bably and Majorique punch their tickets to Benin

Ivory Coast’s Abraham Bably produced a devastating opening-round finish against Nigeria’s Joffie Houlton. A powerful left hand and follow-up ground-and-pound ended the fight quickly, proving his status as a heavyweight contender. Cameroon’s Alain Majorique overcame adversity in the featherweight semifinal against Mohamed Camara. Despite two groin strikes, he controlled the pace with crisp striking and takedowns, earning a unanimous decision to advance.

All roads now lead to Benin, where PFL Africa will crown its first bantamweight, featherweight, welterweight and heavyweight champions on December 20.

Official 2025 PFL Africa Semifinals: Rwanda Results:
Nkosi Ndebele def. Simbarashe Hokonya via split decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)
Shido Boris Esperança def. Octave Ayinda via TKO (R1, 3:46)
Justin Clarke def. Maxwell Djantou Nana via verbal submission (R3, 3:09)
Patrick Ocheme def. Abdoul Razac Sankara via split decision (29-28 x2, 29-28)
Abraham Bably def. Joffie Houlton via TKO (R1, 4:08)
Karim Henniène def. Boule Godogo via KO (R3, 4:21)
Yabna N’tchala def. Emilios Dassi via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Wasi Adeshina def. Dwight Joseph via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
James Opio vs. Isaac Omeda ends in a unanimous draw (28-28 x3)
Abdoullah Kane def. Emmanuel Mukam via KO (R1, 0:23)
Alain Majorique def. Mohamed Camara via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)