South Africa’s Nkosi Ndebele continues to break records. After becoming the first South African BRAVE CF Champion in 2023, he then clinched another major title when he earned the PFL Africa title last year in Benin at the inaugural PFL Africa Finals.
Image: PFL Africa.
South African MMA superstar Nkosi Ndebele is set to headline the first PFL Africa card of 2026, which will take place on April 10 in Pretoria.
According to Independent Media and MzansiMMA sources, Ndebele (11–3) — the inaugural PFL Africa 2025 Bantamweight Tournament winner — will glove up for the first time this year against Italy’s Michele Clemente (7–1), an Oktagon MMA standout currently riding a five-fight win streak as he enters his first PFL Africa event.
It is also understood that South Africa’s heavyweight star Justin Clarke (4–1) will face Senegal’s Abdoullah Kane (5–1) in the co-main event of PFL Africa Season 2 at the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Menlyn Maine, in the country’s administrative capital.
Clarke was one of the standout fighters in the PFL Africa heavyweight division last season, eventually reaching the final before suffering defeat to devastating Ivorian finisher Abraham Bably (8-2).
Kane was equally tipped as one of the fighters to watch. However, an illegal knee against Nigeria’s Joffie Houlton in Cape Town saw him removed from the tournament prematurely.
He was later given an opportunity to return to the PFL Africa 2025 programme through showcase fights, where he did not disappoint, delivering two stoppage victories. He will now aim to build a strong campaign in 2026 and position himself firmly within the heavyweight tournament bracket, with his sights set on claiming the title.
In late January, PFL Africa confirmed its return to South Africa following a successful inaugural season last year, which included events in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kigali (Rwanda), and the finals in Cotonou (Benin).
The Professional Fighters League is one of the world’s premier MMA organisations, alongside the UFC, and became the first major global promotion to establish a structured league in Africa as part of its international expansion strategy. This broader expansion has also included the launch of PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and PFL Pacific.
The four PFL Africa 2025 champions: From left to right: Abraham Bably, Yabna N’Tchala, Nkosi Ndebele, and Wase Adeshina.
Image: PFL Africa
Africa has become one of the fastest-growing regions in global MMA, producing elite talent such as Bokang Masunyane, Demarte Pena, Dricus du Plessis, Don Madge, Francis Ngannou, Themba Gorimbo, Israel Adesanya, and Kamaru Usman, all of whom have excelled on the international stage.
With the launch of its African league, the organisation aims to focus on developing homegrown talent by providing pathways for African fighters to compete globally and become champions. Equally important is its mission to deliver world-class events to African fans — a passionate and rapidly growing audience.
In 2025, PFL Africa crowned its first champions, including Ndebele, Yabna N’Tchala, Abraham Bably, and Wasi Adeshina, each earning $100,000 in prize money.
While it was previously stated that these champions would receive opportunities to enter the global tournament brackets and compete against the world’s elite, Independent Media understands that there are no further updates on that next step at this time.
Additional fights for the PFL Africa Season 2 First Round will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets will be sold exclusively on TicketMaster starting Thursday, 19 February 2026, 9am South African time. Broadcast information will be released soon.
Last year’s PFL Africa Finals Results
PFL Africa Bantamweight Finals: Nkosi Ndebele (11-3) def. Boule Godogo (4-2) by KO (Body Kick) at 0:27 of round two
PFL Africa Welterweight Finals: Yabna N’Tchala (14-2-1) def. Shido Boris Esperança (10-2) by TKO (Retirement) at 5:00 of round three
Lightweight Showcase Bout: Cornel Thompson (11-3) def. Jean Do Santos (9-2) by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
PFL Africa Heavyweight Finals: Abraham Bably (8-2) def. Justin Clarke (4-1) by KO (Punches) at 0:21 of round one
PFL Africa Featherweight Finals: Wasi Adeshina (10-3) def. Alain Majorique (6-1) by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) at 3:07 of round two
Welterweight Showcase Bout: Eliezer Kubanza (8-1) def. Francis Mozou (4-3) by TKO (Punches) at 3:18 of round one
Women’s Strawweight Showcase Bout: Juliet Ukah (8-0) def. Maryam Gaber (3-1) by TKO (Punches) at 3:12 of round one
Light Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Styve Ngono (7-1) def. Mélèdje Yedoh (1-1) by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Abdoulaye Kane (5-1) def. Jashell Ticha Awa (3-3) by TKO (Punches) at 1:16 of round two
Welterweight Showcase Bout: Mouhamed Ba (4-1) def. Desmond Tamungang (5-2) by TKO (Punches) at 2:00 of round one
Women’s Strawweight Showcase Bout: Shelda Chipito (1-0) def. Miracle Andrew (1-2) by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
IOL Sport