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IOL News
20-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Homecoming hero: Nkosi Ndebele shines at historic PFL Africa debut in Cape Town
Nkosi Ndebele dominated every area of his fight against Egypt's Mahmoud Atef at the Grand Arena in Cape Town last night. Photo: Armand Hough Independent Newspapers Image: Armand Hough Independent Newspapers It was a dream return home for South Africa's world champion Nkosi Ndebele. On Saturday night, at the Grand Arena in Goodwood, Cape Town, the former BRAVE CF Bantamweight champion competed in Mzansi for the first time in seven years — and delivered the ultimate homecoming performance. Ndebele featured on the historic PFL Africa card at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World, where passionate South African MMA fans were treated to a world-class night of action. Fighting in the inaugural PFL Africa tournament, Ndebele (9-3) wasted no time advancing to the semi-finals of the bantamweight knockout competition. He stopped Egyptian opponent Mahmoud Atef (5-3) via TKO (strikes) with just 10 seconds remaining in the opening round. 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 'I'm feeling great — what an experience to fight in front of my home crowd, my people, friends and family after all these years,' said Ndebele, who last fought on South African soil at BRAVE CF 19 in 2018 before forging an international career with the Bahrain-based promotion. 'I know a lot of people didn't know who Nkosi is. I'm just glad they got to see a glimpse of it today. This is only the beginning. That crowd reaction was something else. These are the moments I dream of. 'When I was backstage, I told my corner, 'Let me enjoy this moment'. I visualise things like this — a huge crowd, and me being happy, and going crazy. "To experience that and connect with the fans... I just wanted to connect with them more. This is the first time I've ever experienced such a crowd, a packed arena, a sold-out venue.' Nkosi Ndebele says he has never experienced a crowd as passionate as the Cape Town crowd and loved every minute of his time at PFL Africa 1. Photo: Armand Hough Independent Newspapers Image: Armand Hough Independent Newspapers Ndebele looked composed from the first bell, controlling every aspect of the fight inside the PFL SmartCage. Atef lacked the firepower to trouble the South African and became increasingly hesitant as the strikes piled up. Even when the Egyptian attempted to grapple, Ndebele stayed composed, expertly managing the exchanges with calculated movement, breath control, and positional dominance. Eventually, Ndebele dragged Atef to the canvas and unleashed a flurry of strikes to the body and head. The referee was left with no choice but to wave it off with 10 seconds left in the first round, triggering wild celebrations as chants of 'Nkosi' rang out across the arena. 'This is only the beginning. More spectacular victories are coming!' said a jubilant Ndebele. 'I am meant for greatness, and this journey with PFL Africa is the path to that greatness.' The PFL's African tournament will span four events across the continent in 2024. The new PFL Africa franchise forms part of the organisation's global expansion and features 32 fighters from 15 African nations, all competing across four divisions for the inaugural PFL Africa title and a shot at greater opportunities within the PFL system. Saturday's show also included the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai card, featuring some of the world's top MMA talent. Global stars AJ McKee, Corey Anderson, Dakota Ditcheva, Johnny Eblen, Takeshi Izumi, Akhmed Magomedov, and Costello van Steenis all featured under the Grand Arena's bright lights. Following the night's results, the semi-final matchups in the bantamweight division will see Ndebele face Zimbabwe's unbeaten Simbarashe Hokonya (6-0), while Boule Godogo (4-0) takes on Karim Henniene (5-0). Saturday's event also hosted the opening round of the heavyweight bracket. PFL Africa continues on 9 August at Carnival City, Johannesburg, where the featherweight and welterweight divisions will begin their journey to PFL gold.
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Bittersweet return for Mlambo as PFL Africa era kicks off in Cape Town
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.
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Ndebele ready to shine on home soil with PFL Africa debut
Nkosi Ndebele became the first African BRAVE CF champion when he dominated USA's Jose Torres at BRAVE CF 80. He will now look to secure another title when he debuts for the Professional Fighters League. | BRAVE CF Image: Braven CF Newly signed PFL Africa star Nkosi Ndebele has no regrets about his loss to former BRAVE CF Bantamweight champion Nicholas Hwende, and the South African is looking forward to opening new doors with one of the largest MMA promotions in the world. Ndebele (8-3-0) will make his debut in Africa's inaugural Professional Fighters League event, taking place this Saturday, 19 July, at the Grand Arena, GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World. The event will feature the first round of Bantamweight and Heavyweight match-ups, forming part of the PFL Africa elimination tournament that will crown its first champions later this year. This is PFL's third international league, following the launch of PFL MENA and PFL Europe. Speaking exclusively to Independent Media, Ndebele said he had no desire for a rematch after losing his BRAVE CF title to Zimbabwe's Hwende at BRAVE CF 91 in December last year. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ 'I knew it was time to move on, even before the Jose Torres trilogy fight,' said Ndebele. The Diepsloot-born athlete made history by becoming the first African BRAVE CF champion when he dethroned the world-renowned American Jose Torres (13-4-1) in their rematch at BRAVE CF 80 in 2023. It was a sweet moment for Ndebele, who many felt had won their initial meeting four months earlier, where Torres claimed a narrow split-decision victory. Ndebele settled the score with a dominant unanimous decision win at BRAVE CF 82, before facing a new challenge in the rising Zimbabwean in Mauritius. There, Hwende made history of his own, becoming the first Zimbabwean to win a BRAVE CF title. 'Just before the Torres trilogy, the PFL had already come knocking, but BRAVE CF said 'no',' said Ndebele, referencing the terms tied to a BRAVE CF championship, including the 'championship clause'. 'The BRAVE CF championship clause means you need to have two or three more fights with the organisation. That could take up to two years to complete. That was the most mentally challenging period for me. 'So, when things played out the way they did with Nicholas, I was happy to move on. I didn't even want the Hwende fight, never mind a rematch. 'Sometimes, things don't happen the way we want them to. You might not leave BRAVE CF as a champion, but holding onto the title could mean missing out on a great opportunity – like signing with the PFL. Leaving BRAVE CF that way may have been one step back, but I believe it will lead to 20 steps forward.' MzansiMMA and Independent Media reached out to BRAVE CF, who confirmed the above. 'Nkosi's signed agreement included a championship clause which stated that 'should a fighter become a champion during the contract term, they must remain with BRAVE CF exclusively as long as they hold the title, unless BRAVE CF agrees otherwise,'' said BRAVE CF matchmaker Rizwan Ali. 'With a championship clause, upon the end of the original contract term, if the fighter is still champion, the contract automatically extends by either one year or until they complete three more fights, whichever comes first – and these terms are flexible,' added Ali. He further explained that should a fighter wish to leave BRAVE CF after winning a title, they are subject to contractual obligations and restrictions, which often include financial penalties and legal conditions designed to protect the integrity of the championship. Now, Nkosi has the opportunity to 'really connect' with his African fans after BRAVE CF allowed him to compete on four continents in recent years. 'It's a blessing for me because I know this is a big opportunity, signing with the PFL – one of the biggest MMA and sports brands in the world,' he said. 'Not only that, I'm part of the debut show in Africa, and I thank God for this big blessing. 'I'm grateful to BRAVE CF. Starting my international journey with them was good. It was an opportunity to grow and gauge the standard. 'What makes this new journey so special is that the PFL is allowing me to really connect with my African brothers and sisters, especially here in Mzansi. 'When I fought for BRAVE CF, I went out of the reach of African MMA fans, so many of them don't know much about me. The only times I fought in South Africa were in 2018 and 2020,' added Ndebele, reflecting on his time with the Bahrain-based promotion known for its global schedule. The 2025 PFL Africa tournament will include four events across the continent, featuring 32 top fighters from 15 African countries. They will compete across four divisions for the chance to win PFL gold – and open even bigger doors within the PFL's global ecosystem. On 9 August, the Welterweight and Featherweight divisions will be on display at Carnival City in Johannesburg as the tournament continues its march toward crowning the first-ever PFL Africa champions.
Daily Tribune
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Miha Frlic Delivers Statement Knockout Over Kamali in Heavyweight Battle at BRAVE CF 96
Slovenian powerhouse Miha Frlic (5-0-1) gave his home fans everything they came for at BRAVE CF 96, delivering a spectacular third-round knockout victory over Shah Kamali (4-1-0) in a hard-hitting heavyweight showdown at Ljubljana's Hala Tivoli. From the opening seconds of the bout, Frlic came out with purpose and aggression, using his superior wrestling to impose his will on Kamali. Pressuring early and often, landing brutal ground-and-pound and opening a cut that left the Bangladeshi fighter bloodied and struggling to find his rhythm. The local crowd surged with energy, nearly witnessing a finish before the end of Round 1 But just as the narrative seemed written, Kamali turned the page in Round 2 with a heavy right hand that briefly rocked Frlic. For a moment, the arena held its breath. Then came the response—a swift takedown, clinch control, and yet more punishing offense from the Slovenian. Even as Kamali rallied to end the round on top, Frlic had already set the tone. Then came Round 3. Frlic, feeding off the crowd's energy, launched into a final sequence that would seal his legacy in Slovenian MMA. A perfectly timed flurry landed flush, sending Kamali crashing to the canvas as the arena erupted in celebration. It was not just a win—it was a moment. With the victory, Miha Frlic remains undefeated and takes a major step forward in the BRAVE CF heavyweight division. But more than that, he gave Slovenia something special: a knockout to remember, a flag planted proudly in the center of the BRAVE CF cage, and a reminder that the next great heavyweight might just be coming out of Ljubljana.
Daily Tribune
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Marciano Ferreira makes statement at BRAVE CF 96 with dominant win, eyes flyweight gold
Brazilian flyweight contender Marciano Ferreira delivered a performance to remember at BRAVE CF 96, scoring a commanding unanimous decision victory over Georgia's powerhouse Bidzina Gavashelishvili in a high-stakes bout that could reshape the division's title picture. Ferreira, who first made waves with a stunning KO win over Edilceu Alves at BRAVE CF 78, bounced back in a big way after his setback against Kazakhstan's Dias Yerengaipov at BRAVE CF 91. His calculated and clinical display against Gavashelishvili not only showcased his evolution as a mixed martial artist but also re-established him as a serious threat in BRAVE Combat Federation's flyweight ranks. Speaking after the fight, Ferreira didn't hold back. 'I've got a message for everyone in the division — there's a new champ here, and his name is Marciano Ferreira,' said the rising star. He then directly addressed the BRAVE CF brass: 'So, President — will you give Mokaev a shot? Or are you going to book the rematch with Dias for the belt in Bahrain?' Ferreira ended his fiery postfight interview with a bold challenge to top flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev, calling for a title fight and urging him not to run from the division's new rising force. With his latest performance, Ferreira has reignited his campaign for flyweight gold and made it clear he's ready to take on all challengers. As BRAVE CF continues its 'Year of the BRAVE' campaign, the flyweight division may soon have a new name leading the charge — and it just might be Marciano Ferreira.
