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Forbes
a day ago
- Sport
- Forbes
How An Alternate Fighter Became A Knockout Star: Abdoul Razac Sankara's PFL Africa Story
Abdoul Razac Sankara wasn't even supposed to be here. Listed only as an alternate for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa quarterfinals, he had been training, staying ready, but a spot in the bracket still felt like a distant dream. Then his phone rang and that call would change everything. 'When my coach told me I would fight in the PFL, I didn't believe it,' he shared with some days after the fight, still laughing as if it was a dream. 'I said, 'No, not now — maybe tomorrow.' PFL was a dream for me. But when he sent me the contract, that is when I knew it was real.' The disbelief was understandable. Sankara, a Muay Thai world champion from Côte d'Ivoire with a pair of AML Muay Thai world and national titles, had made his name striking in the ring, not grappling in the cage. MMA was still relatively new to him, he had made his debut in 2023 and had since won two straight fights and six of his last eight. Now he had the chance to step in at one of the sport's fastest-growing promotions, in a high-stakes quarterfinal matchup, no less. There was just one catch: this wouldn't be a fight at his usual weight. 'They told me it would be in featherweight and it was my first time in this division,' he says. 'It was very, very difficult for me. But I took it because opportunities like this don't come every day. Maybe it's the first time and no second time.' Adapting for the Opportunity Sankara's striking credentials are well known: he's a decorated Muay Thai fighter who has collected belts and trophies across continents. But MMA is an entirely different challenge, and his opponent wasn't a straightforward striker. 'I'm a striker, Muay Thai is my home, but my opponent was a karateka and a judoka, so I trained for all of it,' he says. 'For me, there was no chance to lose this fight, it was my dream and when a dream comes true, and you are going to lose? No, no, no. No way.' This mindset: equal parts determination and adaptability, shaped his camp. Even with short notice, Sankara doubled down on the fundamentals: refining his striking angles, drilling takedown defense, and sharpening his reaction time. Every mistake his opponent could make, Sankara wanted to be ready to exploit. The Walk to the Cage Fight night was electric. As he left the locker room and stepped into the tunnel, Sankara took in the atmosphere, the roar of the crowd, the blinding lights, the pulsing energy that comes with a PFL event. 'When I saw the crowd, I saw they were all with my opponent,' he recalls. 'I said to myself, 'They don't know me. Let's show them who is Sankara.'' It wasn't hostility he felt from the stands, just unfamiliarity which was a challenge he embraced. This was his chance to make a statement, to introduce himself to the PFL audience in the most definitive way possible. 'I was excited,' he says. 'I like fighting. I wanted to give all the best of myself to make them know that I'm there to be a winner.' Capitalizing on a Split-Second Opening Once the cage door shut, the months of Muay Thai precision and weeks of targeted MMA preparation converged. The round started with Yemba testing him with low kicks and body strikes, while Sankara moved smartly around the outside, landing counters and jabs. As Yemba pressed forward with a high kick, Sankara stayed opportunistic, exploiting openings with precision. 'I'm opportunistic,' Sankara says. 'If you make a mistake, I see it and I use it. My opponent kept dropping his hand when I kicked, so I faked low, then went high with the question mark kick. That was it.' The strike landed flush, and just two minutes into the first round, Yemba was out cold. 'I believed I could win, but not like that,' he reflected. 'A knockout in two minutes of the first round? I had no words for that moment.' With the victory, Abdoul Razac Sankara went from alternate fight participant to PFL Africa Semi-finalist in highlight fashion, a major leap in his professional MMA journey, now holding a record of 7-4-0. The Call Home In the chaos after the win, the celebrations, the hand-raising, the backstage interviews, Sankara reached for his phone. The first call went to his mother who could not bare to watch the fights but was constantly praying for his success. 'My mom can't watch my fights,' he says. 'She cries. But she has always believed in me. Even when it was hard, she paid for my training, my transport, everything.' Her support has been constant, even when she questioned the practicality of and the career that combat sports could offer him in Côte d'Ivoire. 'She said, 'This job is not working in Africa, it's in Europe. Don't stay here, you will suffer.' But I was confident. I believed I could go far in this job because I love it.' Training as a Way of Life For Sankara, fighting isn't just a career but has become his full-time commitment which has become a part of his identity. 'I give everything for the fight,' he says. 'I don't have another job. I train every day, from Monday to Saturday, twice a day. It's my job, but I don't even see it like a job. I love it.' That discipline is part of what keeps him dangerous in the cage. He's always in shape, always prepared to step in, even as an alternate because the work never stops. Bigger Than One Win The quarterfinal victory was more than just personal success. For Sankara, it was a spark for fighters back home. 'If I can do it, they can do it,' he says. 'This win gives my country hope. I can see people training harder already, they start to take this job seriously.' In the days after the fight, his phone was flooded with messages from fans and fellow athletes in Côte d'Ivoire. Social media posts from local fighters showed renewed energy, heavier training sessions, and a growing belief that African athletes can make an impact in major MMA promotions. The Road Ahead As much as the win means, Sankara is clear-eyed about what's next. 'It's just the beginning,' he says. 'Semi-final, then the final, big things are coming.' From alternate to contender, his PFL journey has already defied expectations. Now, with momentum on his side, Sankara has the chance to prove that lightning can strike twice, and that preparation meets opportunity not by luck, but by design. 'When opportunity knocks again,' he says, 'I will be ready. Always.'
IOL News
10-08-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Electric night in Johannesburg as PFL Africa delivers explosive Featherweight and Welterweight action
Abdoul Razac Sankara (7-3) def. Shadrack Yemba (4-1) via KO (head kick) at 2:01 of round one. Photo: PFLAfrica Image: PFLAfrica The African MMA market continues to pass the litmus test from the Professional Fighters League's perspective following yet another successful PFL Africa event. Last night, Carnival City lived up to its name as it delivered a night of enthralling moments, entertainment, and spectacle as PFL Africa's Feather and Welterweights threw down inside the Smart Cage in pursuit of PFL Africa Gold. As one of the largest MMA brands in the world, the PFL this year confirmed its move to create a new franchise within Africa, all part of their global expansion plan. It was a great win for Africa, as the continent is booming with combat sport talent, and the MMA ecosystem needs a high-level international promotion that can assist brands like the EFC and AKO and empower the thousands of stars coming through the system. PFL Africa rolled out its first show in Cape Town in July, focusing on the Bantamweights and Heavyweights, all of which are part of the 2025 Tournament that will conclude at the end of the year in Benin. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 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. 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Next Stay Close ✕ The show was a massive success, however, it was not a real indicator just yet for the PFL business and bean counters as they had a secret weapon for that event in the form of the Champions Series: Road to Dubai, that had seen some of the world's most popular stars including AJ McKee, Corey Anderson, Dakota Ditcheva, Johnny Eblen and Costello Van Steenis compete on the main card. It was a PFL Africa card on steroids, as these are world-renowned names. Even the great Khabib Nurmagomedov was in the house as he formed part of Akhmed Magomedov and Artur Zaynukov's coaching team. But last night, in the Big Top Arena in Brakpan, Johannesburg, the PFL founder Donn Davis was assured that there is a hunger and huge market in Mzansi and Africa and that the PFL has invested in the right place as thousands of MMA hungry fans danced, shouted, cheered, cried, laughed, clapped and celebrated a card only for African fighters who proved that they're all carrying major star power and are set for global success. It was a big night for African MMA! Countless celebrities, sports stars, and key figures within South Africa were inside the Big Top Arena as musical star Daliwonga set the tone and got the crowd, including Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, moving to the AfroNation beat. Shido Boris Esperanca (10-1) set the tone and got the fans on their feet with his dance moves before stopping his opponent Ibrahima Mané (13-6) with a quick submission in round one of their Welterweight fight. Photo: PFLAfrica Image: PFLAfrica PFL Africa's Johannesburg card delivered an electric ten fights and left little work to the judges as fans got to witness seven finishes and only three decisions. In total, eight African Feather and Welterweight stars punched their tickets to the PFL Africa 2025 semi-finals. In the main event, Patrick Ocheme (7-1) capped off the night with a strong performance, defeating Mohamed Camara (5-3-1) by unanimous decision to clinch his spot in the PFL Africa Featherweight Semifinals. Ocheme overcame a slow start in the first round and turned the tide in the second after dropping Camara with a big shot. He remained in control in the final round to secure the victory and a place in the Featherweight final four. In the co-main event, Shido Boris Esperanca (10-1) needed just 34 seconds to submit Ibrahima Mané (13-6) and secure his place in the PFL Africa Welterweight Semifinals. At the opening bell, Esperanca blitzed Mané, immediately took his back, locked in the choke, and forced the tap in seconds. Also in the Welterweight Division, Octave Ayinda (6-0) made quick work of British Boloyoang (3-2), winning by TKO and advancing to the PFL Africa Welterweight Semifinals. Ayinda escaped an early guillotine choke attempt from Boloyoang and managed to wind up on top. From there, he punished Boloyoang with heavy shots, forcing the referee to stop the bout at the 1:55 mark of the first round. Yabna N'tchala (12-2-1) turned in an impressive all-around performance, outstriking and outgrappling Sanon Sadeck (7-3) over three rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory and a place in the PFL Africa Welterweight Semifinals. N'tchala picked his shots and set up his takedowns effectively to cruise past Sadeck and claim the important win. Moving forward in the Featherweight division, Patrick Ocheme will face Abdoul Razac Sankara, while Wasi Adeshina meets Dwight Joseph. Meanwhile, in the Welterweight Division, Shido Boris Esperanca will take on Octave Ayinda, and Yabna N'tchala will go up against Emilios Dassi. PFL Africa First Round: Johannesburg Results Patrick Ocheme (7-1) def. Mohamed Camara (5-3-1) via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28) Shido Boris Esperanca (10-1) def. Ibrahima Mané (13-6) by submission (rear naked choke) at 0:34 of round one Octave Ayinda (6-0) def. British Boloyoang (3-2) by TKO () at 1:55 of round one Yabna N'tchala (12-2-1) def. Sanon Sadeck (7-3) by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2) Emilios Dassi (5-1) def. Osvaldo Benedito (3-2) by KO (punches) at 2:12 of round one Wasi Adeshina (8-3) def. Jean Jacques Lubaya (9-2) via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:14 of round two Dwight Joseph (15-2) def. Wilker Nsamo (7-1) via KO (knee) at 4:57 of round two Abderahman Errachidy (5-1) def. Elbert Steyn (3-1) via TKO (knee) at 0:14 of round two Abdoul Razac Sankara (7-3) def. Shadrack Yemba (4-1) via KO (head kick) at 2:01 of round one Kunle Lawal (3-1) def. Desmond Tamungang (5-1) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) IOL Sport
