Bittersweet return for Mlambo as PFL Africa era kicks off in Cape Town
Image: BRAVE CF
It's been a 'bittersweet' return home for South Africa's Ireland-based mixed martial artist, Frans Mlambo.
For the first time in seven years, Mlambo (15-6) touched down in Cape Town this week ahead of his PFL Africa bantamweight clash against Zimbabwe's unbeaten Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0), set to take place at the Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World on Saturday, 19 July.
The fight is part of a historic event as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) officially launches its African franchise, marking a significant milestone in the global promotion's expansion plans.
Simbarashe Hokonya and Frans Mlambo share a unique face-off in BoKaap, Cape Town ahead of their PFL Africa Bantamweight Tournament clash at Grand West on Saturday. | PFL Africa
Image: PFL Africa
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The 2025 PFL Africa tournament will feature four events across the continent, showcasing 32 fighters from 15 African countries across four weight divisions. All will be vying for PFL gold and the opportunity to graduate into the PFL's global business model.
Saturday's event in Cape Town marks the first round of the bantamweight and heavyweight tournaments, with fighters aiming to secure spots in the semi-finals and finals later this year.
This moment has been long anticipated, especially as Africa continues to produce some of the world's top MMA talents. But until now, no major promotion had hosted a large-scale event on the continent, making Saturday's card a landmark occasion for the sport.
Despite the occasion, Mlambo — a seasoned veteran of the sport, having competed in top promotions like Bellator, BRAVE CF, and the PFL — admits to feeling conflicted.
Frans Mlambo explains the significance of his outfit at the PFL Africa Media day. The attire belonged to his uncle who blessed him with the outfit and he felt it was fitting to wear it on this occasion. Photo: MzansiMMA
Image: MzansiMMA
'Man, it's a complicated type of emotion that I have,' Mlambo said during Media Day at the Rockefeller Hotel in Cape Town, speaking to MzansiMMA and Independent Media.
'I've not been back to South Africa since fighting at BRAVE CF 19 in 2018, and now I'm here again with this great opportunity — but at the same time, it's complicated.
'The fact that I'm sitting here with South Africans is a fantastic thing for me. But I'm also standing in the path of people I root for, people I support. At the same time, they're trying to stop me. So it's a weird kind of emotion — I have to win, but in doing so, I need to step on my brother.'
Mlambo last competed in South Africa on a memorable night in December 2018, submitting Dansheel Moodely in the first round at BRAVE CF 19.
The 34-year-old fighter moved to Ireland at the age of 11, travelling alone to join his mother and brother in Dublin, while his late father and sister remained in South Africa.
'My sister still lives in Johannesburg, and most of the Mlambos are based there. Some of my family are coming to watch me on Saturday, which is so amazing.
'Being away for so long, I haven't interacted with many South Africans. Just hearing the accents brings joy to me — something you guys might take for granted,' said Mlambo.
'That's why this is such a bittersweet moment. I have to fight my people to make myself better.'
Mlambo currently trains at SBG Ireland under world-renowned coach John Kavanagh, and over the years has rubbed shoulders with the best in the sport.
His bout with Hokonya is one of many intriguing match-ups on a stacked card that also includes former BRAVE CF bantamweight champion Nkosi Ndebele, who headlines the PFL Africa event against Egypt's Mahmoud Atef.
'Nkosi and I were on the same BRAVE CF card in 2018 when he made his debut, and here we are again, chasing the same dream,' said Mlambo. 'Not just him — other South Africans, and Simba too. Yes, he's Zimbabwean-born, but we're all brothers competing in the same weight class.'
The PFL Africa event forms part of a broader fight night, with the Cape Town card serving as the undercard for the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai, headlined by PFL middleweight champion Johnny Eblen (USA) and Costello Van Steenis (Spain).
The tournament will continue on 9 August at Carnival City in Johannesburg, where the first rounds of the welterweight and featherweight knockout brackets will unfold.
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