logo
Bittersweet return for Mlambo as PFL Africa era kicks off in Cape Town

Bittersweet return for Mlambo as PFL Africa era kicks off in Cape Town

IOL News17-07-2025
The last time Frans Mlambo competed in South Africa was in December 2018 at BRAVE CF 19 where he beat his compatriot Dansheel Moodley via submission in the first round. Photo: BRAVE CF
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
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kaizer Chiefs drop Toyota Cup reveal as a contract shake Naturena
Kaizer Chiefs drop Toyota Cup reveal as a contract shake Naturena

The South African

time13 hours ago

  • The South African

Kaizer Chiefs drop Toyota Cup reveal as a contract shake Naturena

Kaizer Chiefs have officially revealed the striking new-look Toyota Cup ahead of their high-profile pre-season friendly against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko. The much-anticipated clash takes place this Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, setting the tone for what fans hope will be a rejuvenated 2025/2026 campaign. Fresh from an intense pre-season tour in the Netherlands. The Glamour Boys aim to bounce back from last year's nightmare 4-0 defeat to Tanzanian powerhouse Young Africans SC. While preparing to impress on the pitch, Chiefs have also moved swiftly behind the scenes to secure their long-term future. The Naturena-based side has already begun contract talks with several core players whose current deals expire in June 2026. One of the top priorities is first-choice goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma. A source close to the club confirmed. 'Kaizer Chiefs have set the wheels in motion to retain Bvuma as part of a broader mission to lock down their core players at Naturena.' The 30-year-old shot-stopper has received a proposed two-year contract extension, which would keep him at the club until June 2028. Chiefs believe Bvuma still has plenty to offer as they aim to re-establish themselves as title contenders. Since breaking into the senior team in 2016, Bvuma has developed into a reliable figure within the Amakhosi setup. Club insiders now view him as a key member of the leadership group. 'He's become an important part of our plans moving forward,' a source revealed. With only 12 months remaining on his current contract. Chiefs know the timing of this extension is critical. The club wants to ensure stability and continuity, especially as they gear up for a season where silverware remains a non-negotiable objective. Do you like the new Kaizer Chiefs Toyota Cup trophy? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

JAY-Z's Roc Nation Sports signs African talents
JAY-Z's Roc Nation Sports signs African talents

The South African

time13 hours ago

  • The South African

JAY-Z's Roc Nation Sports signs African talents

JAY-Z's Roc Nation Sports made headlines this week for their latest move involving African sporting talents. The idea is to expand the reach of Roc Nation Sports by coaxing some of our best and brightest talents into their fold. Roc Nation Sports has managed to construct a roster as impressive as the label and management wings of JAY-Z's famed talent stable. As far as football goes, Ron Nation Sports has generational talents like Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Kevin De Bruyne on their books. Springbok captain and darling of South African sports, Siya Kolisi, is also represented by this agency along with fellow rugby stars, Cheslin Kolbe and Maro Itoje. Their books are impressive across various sporting disciplines, and now the plan is to add more to the arsenal. JAY-Z was recently spotted on the sidelines at the FIFA Club World Cup. This may have been surprising to some, but this latest move provides some clarity around that. Roc Nation has managed to lure in footballing talents from Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. These include Moses Simon (Nigeria) and Mohammed Kudus (Ghana), who already have European club experience and growing fan bases. The players who have recently signed are Siyabonga Mabena (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns), Neo Bohloko (South Africa, Kaizer Chiefs), Ifeoluwa Olowoporoku (Nigeria, Tripple 44), Joseph Narbi (Ghana, Benab FC) and Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe, Scotland FC). Roc Nation is a highly praised entity, that is, if you don't ask someone like rapper Nicki Minaj. They offer holistic representation wherein brand development, social impact initiatives, and media exposure are all on offer. This move is more than JAY-Z's company diversifying their pool of talent. This will shine a light on talents in regions of the world that may be frequently overlooked. Reports allude to the intentions behind this involving more than just world-class representation. Roc Nation is aiming to amplify the voices of these athletes and extend their contributions, on and off the pitch. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Global interest grows in Rele Mofokeng as Pyramids FC join race for Orlando Pirates star
Global interest grows in Rele Mofokeng as Pyramids FC join race for Orlando Pirates star

IOL News

time15 hours ago

  • IOL News

Global interest grows in Rele Mofokeng as Pyramids FC join race for Orlando Pirates star

In demand CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC have joined the race to sign Orlando Pirates starlet Relebohile Mofokeng, Photo: Itumeleng English/Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media After missing out on Lucas Ribeiro, African champions Pyramids FC have now set their sights on Orlando Pirates starlet Relebohile Mofokeng. After the Brazilian's impressive performance at the recently completed FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, a number of clubs have been interested in his services and have approached Mamelodi Sundowns. However, Sundowns are said to have no intention of letting their star man go and have rebuffed all offers for him so far. As a result, attention has turned to Mofokeng, who has also attracted interest from a number of clubs from around the world of late. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. It was also reported that Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven were weighing up their options, but this too has since been dismissed by Pirates as untrue. Two weeks ago, Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy, currently the head coach of the Kenya national team, urged Mofokeng to move to Europe in order to keep growing as a footballer. 'I've watched him several times, and I think he's got huge potential. He's got the mentality and football intelligence of players from my generation,' McCarthy said when answering IOL Sport's question. 'He's generations ahead of the current crop of players. I think he's got what it takes to make it in Europe. I would encourage him to find a way to play in Europe. South Africa, yes, it has some of the best players in Africa, but Africa is a small continent in football terms. 'When you play in Europe, you get the chance to play against the biggest and the best. It's you against the world.' With growing interest from top leagues, Mofokeng's future appears destined to unfold beyond South African shores. IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store