Latest news with #PFLAfrica
Forbes
a day ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Donn Davis And PFL Africa Plant Their Flag With Landmark Inaugural Event In Cape Town
2025 PFL Championship Series at the Grand West Arena in Cape Town, South Africa Saturday, July 19, ... More 2025. (Matt Ferris / PFL) The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has officially planted its flag in Africa with the launch of PFL Africa's inaugural season, marking a historic milestone not only for the league but for the future of mixed martial arts (MMA) across the continent. MMA has seen rapid growth in Africa in recent years, fuelled by passionate fans and a wealth of emerging talent eager for a global platform. For Donn Davis, founder, chairman, and co-owner of PFL, this launch is more than just expansion, it's a carefully calculated bet on a market bursting with potential, defined by two essential ingredients for success: passionate fans and world-class fighters ready to make their mark. 'When we looked at launching new international leagues, we looked at two things – the fans and the fighters,' Davis explained in an exclusive interview with ahead of the inaugural PFL Africa season in Cape Town, South Africa. 'When we looked at the fans and the fighters in Africa, we saw two incredible, ready groups of people. We saw fans who would be very passionate, a big MMA fan base, and we saw fighters who could be the best in the world.' The Francis Ngannou Factor LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Francis Ngannou speaks during the Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou ... More Press Conference at Outernet London on January 15, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by) This strategic expansion is underpinned by inspiring stories, such as that of Francis Ngannou, the Chairman of PFL Africa. He rose from humble beginnings in Cameroon to become the UFC heavyweight champion after leaving the continent in pursuit of his dreams. For Davis, Ngannou's journey exemplifies both the challenges faced and the immense potential awaiting discovery. 'Francis Ngannou had to leave the continent to start his journey to be world champion. Well, there are many potential Francis Ngannous waiting to become the next world champion,' he said. 'There is fantastic MMA talent in Africa, and they're also entertaining fighters.' That last point is crucial. Davis explained that often fighters fall into two categories: great fighters who aren't entertaining, or entertaining fighters who aren't technically great. Africa, he says, is uniquely positioned with athletes who embody both qualities. Why Launch in Cape Town? Donn Davis, founder, chairman and co-owner of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) PFL Africa kicked off in Cape Town with intention. 'Cape Town was just, it's so historic, right? And it's just a city that the world knows,' Davis said. For PFL Africa, beginning here was about more than just location; it was about setting the tone and proudly announcing the brand's African identity to the world. 'Over the next two or three years, it'll be everywhere. PFL Africa will visit almost every single country. So wherever you're from, you can count on seeing PFL Africa in the coming years.' MMA History Made at Grand Arena PFL Africa's first event delivered on every promise of elite competition and spectacle. In the main event, Costello 'The Spaniard' Van Steenis (17-3) stunned the MMA world with a comeback submission win over previously undefeated Johnny 'Pressure' Eblen (16-1) to become the new PFL Middleweight World Champion. With just seconds left in the fifth and final round, Van Steenis took Eblen's back and sank in a rear naked choke, putting the defending champion to sleep. 2025 PFL Championship Series at the Grand West Arena in Cape Town, South Africa Saturday, July 19, ... More 2025. (Matt Ferris / PFL) For Van Steenis, the victory marked his arrival as champion and validated his unwavering dedication behind the scenes. 'My team and I are all killers. We don't have a plan B, only a plan A,' he shared after the fight. "My brother and I live and breathe this, and we give 100%, so how can we fail?' Dakota Ditcheva (15-0) stayed undefeated with a striking masterclass against Sumiko Inaba (8-2) in the co-main event. Former Bellator Featherweight Champion AJ McKee won a unanimous decision over Akhmed Magomedov, while Artur Zaynukov dominated Takeshi Izumi to extend his winning streak to six. Among the standout performances was Nigerian rising star Juliet Ukah (7-0), who defeated Ceileigh Niedermayr (3-3) via unanimous decision to keep her unbeaten record intact. Her resilience shone through despite sustaining an eye injury mid-fight. 'When my eye popped the second time, I thought to myself, Juliet, are you going to give up? I said, No, never,' she recalled. 'I kept one eye open and one eye low to make sure I finished that fight.' Reflecting on her victory, Ukah said, 'I feel so, so good, so great about this fight in PFL Africa. It's one of the best things that has ever happened to me.' She described the inaugural event as a dream realised. 'From the smart cage to the crowds, everything was perfect. Thank you, PFL Africa, for making my dream come true.' 2025 PFL Championship Series at the Grand West Arena in Cape Town, South Africa Saturday, July 19, ... More 2025. (Matt Ferris / PFL) Balancing Global Consistency with Local Resonance One of the biggest challenges for any international sports brand is ensuring a globally consistent identity while resonating deeply within local markets. For the PFL, Davis says the approach is simple to explain but hard to execute - a strategy that has proven successful in both Europe and the Middle East and North Africa. 'We respect the local culture, but we bring in our global expertise,' he said. 'Those are easy to say, but those are hard to do.' RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - NOVEMBER 29: Abdullah Al-Qahtani of Saudi Arabia fight against Mervan ... More Belghouit of Morocco in the final bout organized by the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 29, 2024. (Photo by Mohammed Saad/Anadolu via Getty Images) This respect goes far beyond marketing. It touches everything from how fighters are managed, how ticket prices are set, to how products are distributed and business models are structured. 'It's also how you present the product,' Davis explained. 'All of those have really local considerations. We've tried to be smart and respectful to make sure this is, as I said, the people's league.' Five years from now, Davis hopes that people across Africa will equate MMA with PFL Africa. 'We want them to say I love PFL Africa. It's not UFC, it's PFL.' Investments and Strategic Backing Establishing a sports league, let alone an MMA league in Africa, requires significant investment. PFL Africa partnered with Helios Investment Partners, a private investment firm that also backs NBA Africa, to make this possible. 'Our minority partner is Helios. So they've put in a significant investment. But PFL ourselves, we've also put in a significant investment,' Davis shared. 'Both of us have invested a lot of cash dollars into growing this over the next couple of years. It will not be profitable for several years. We're making a real investment.' Beyond funding, PFL Africa benefits from the league's established global infrastructure, from fighter networks to TV production capabilities. 'These are assets we don't have to build from scratch; they're already in place,' Davis said. 'This kind of investment allows PFL Africa to deliver a premium product at a comparatively lower cost.' Quality Without Compromise 2025 PFL Championship Series at the Grand West Arena in Cape Town, South Africa Saturday, July 19, ... More 2025. (Matt Ferris / PFL) Despite the scale of operations and expansion costs on the continent, Davis is adamant that quality will not be compromised. 'This is not going to be your regional MMA product. People will be blown away by the quality of the event: the video, the graphics, the stage. This is something they haven't seen before.' While the full rollout of Smartcage technology and real-time fighter stats will take time, with significant upgrades expected in year two, PFL Africa's immediate priority has been investing in fighter purses. 'The first place we put the investment was in the quality of the product and then the quality of the fighters,' Davis said. 'We want this to be the highest-paying opportunity for fighters on the continent. Fighters here will make more than anywhere else. On top of that, champions receive a $100,000 bonus, which is truly life-changing money.' This expansion is also guided by a broadcast-first strategy that uniquely positions Africa within PFL's global model. Davis described Africa as potentially the most mobile-first PFL market worldwide, helping to eliminate traditional access barriers from the start. 'Our goal is to achieve roughly 90% coverage. If people want to watch PFL in Africa, we want 90% of the population to have access,' he said. 'Right now, only about five per cent of Africans can watch UFC fights; they're locked behind an exclusive double paywall. We want PFL to be the people's MMA league.' Broadcast and streaming partnerships are already in place, with Davis confident this ambitious coverage target will be met by mid-season. 'Whether through streaming or mobile platforms, we want the vast majority of the continent to be able to watch PFL.' Building an MMA Ecosystem 2025 PFL Championship Series ceremonial weigh-ins at the Grand West Arena in Cape Town, South Africa ... More Friday, July 18, 2025. (Matt Ferris / PFL) Beyond hosting events, PFL Africa aims to build a sustainable MMA ecosystem, including youth programs, coaching initiatives, gym partnerships, and training scholarships. Yet, Davis emphasises that competition itself remains the league's most vital contribution. 'Most athletes need a pay check and real competition,' he said. 'Too often, people settle for academies as the easy route because they don't do what we do. We're creating an entire company, a full league in Africa. This isn't an academy; it's a league.' This means real fights with real pay checks, an environment where athletes sharpen their skills under genuine pressure. 'That's the only way you get sharp. Earning or losing a pay check is what drives true growth.' This year, PFL Africa features 32 athletes, with plans to expand to 48 next year. Following the Cape Town event, semifinal matchups were confirmed in the Bantamweight and Heavyweight divisions. The tournament continues on August 9th at Carnival City, Johannesburg, where Featherweight and Welterweight fighters will battle for their shot at glory. What Success Looks Like in Five Years Looking ahead, Davis has set three clear benchmarks to define PFL Africa's success. First, he aims for the league to become profitable within five years, establishing a strong business foundation. Second, he wants to see a PFL African champion rise to win a world tournament title, showcasing the region's top athletic talent. Finally, Davis hopes that MMA fans across Africa will come to see PFL as the go-to name for the sport, reflecting genuine fan loyalty. Hitting these milestones would be a major step forward for MMA on the continent, giving fighters the chance to chase their dreams at home and giving fans a place where they truly see themselves on the global stage. For Davis and the PFL, Africa isn't just another expansion; it's a region that can change the future of MMA worldwide.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Khabib apologizes for underestimating Cape Town as fans go wild for the superstar
Big star Khabib Nurmagomedov received a warm welcome in Cape Town as fans went crazy at the sight of the global superstar. Photo: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Former UFC Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was sincere in his approach and apologized for his naivety after spending a few days in Cape Town this week. The global sporting superstar and now retired athlete, who was renowned for dominating athletes with his elite wrestling and grappling skills, flew into Mzansi to coach two of his Russian athletes, Akhmed Magomedov and Artur Zaynukov, both competing on the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai card that formed part of the inaugural and groundbreaking PFL Africa event launched at the Grand Arena in Cape Town last night. Ahead of his athletes' fights, Nurmagomedov and his team travelled around the Western Cape and, by the looks of it, checked into the Aquila Private Game Reserve for a few nights to experience the natural beauty and wildlife on offer in Mzansi. In the lead-up to Zaynukov's fight against Japan's Takeshi Izumi, Khabib and his fellow coaches made their way to the PFL Smart Cage. 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. 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 ✕ The sight of the man was received with a thunderous roar as a 'Khabib! Khabib! Khabib!' reverberated throughout the Grand Arena hall and could even be heard in the Grand West Casino halls. Following Zaynukov's win over Japan's Takeshi Izumi, Khabib entered the cage to help translate for his Dagestani fighter before sharing some of his thoughts about Cape Town and South Africa. The moment Khabib - popularly known for dominating former two-division UFC champion and global star Conor McGregor - opened his mouth, his words were drowned out by fans who could not contain their excitement. Eventually, the crowd quietened down to allow the man to speak. 'I am going to be honest, I underestimated Cape Town,' said Khabib, not only noting the fans' passion and love for MMA, but also the picturesque sights and sounds of the Rainbow Nation. 'This is a very beautiful city, with a beautiful ocean, beautiful mountains, and we would love to come back. Thank you so much, guys. We appreciate you,' he added. It was not Magomedov's night as he was outclassed by his American opponent and Featherweight great, AJ McKee, who put on a master class of MMA. The Professional Fighters League's African tournament includes four events across Africa this year. This newly launched franchise forms part of PFL's global expansion plan, and this year's competition will feature 32 fighters from 15 African nations, all chasing PFL gold (in four divisions) and an opportunity to open bigger doors within the PFL business model. This weekend saw the PFL Africa roll out the first round of the Bantamweight and Heavyweight divisions. Next month, on August 9 at Carnival City in Johannesburg, the Featherweights and Welterweights will compete for the shot at the PFL Africa gold. PFL Champions Series Road to Dubai: Cape Town Results: Costello van Steenis (17-3) def. Johnny Eblen (16-1) via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:51 of round five Dakota Ditcheva (15-0) def. Sumiko Inaba (8-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-24) AJ McKee (23-2) def. Akhmed Magomedov (11-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) Artur Zaynukov (16-4) def. Takeshi Izumi (6-4) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) Corey Anderson (19-6, 1 NC) def. Denis Goltsov (36-9) via TKO (strikes) at 3:28 of round two 2025 PFL Africa Cape Town First Round Results: Nkosi Ndebele (9-3) def. Mahmoud Atef (5-3) via TKO (strikes) at 4:50 of round one Maxwell Djantou Nana (7-1) def. Mickael Groguhe (6-3) via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-25) Boule Godogo (4-0) def. Shannon van Tonder (7-3) via split decision (30-26, 29-27, 28-29) Justin Clarke (3-0) def. Jashell Ticha Awa (3-2) via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round one Karim Henniene (5-0) def. Asiashu Tshitamba (6-5) via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) Joffie Houlton (8-4) def. Abdoulaye Kane (3-1) via DQ (Illegal Knee) at 0:40 of round one Simbarashe Hokonya (6-0) def. Frans Mlambo (15-7) via unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 30-25) Abraham Bably (6-2) def. Paul-Emmanuel Gnaze (8-6) via KO (punch) at 4:59 of round one Juliet Ukah (7-0) def. Ceileigh Niedermayr (3-3) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
3 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
PFL Africa delivers the most spectacular night of fighting in Africa, ever
Victorious Costello van Steenis celebrates his PFL Middleweight title win against Johnny Eblen at Grand West Casino and Entertainment World last night. Photo: PFL Image: PFL It's official! South Africa is Mixed Martial Arts crazy! And the Professional Fighters League helped prove that last night as history was made in the Grand Arena down in Goodwood, Cape Town! Almost 5,000 people entered the entertainment venue last night and lent their voices to an action-packed night of fights as the PFL Africa and Champions Series: Road to Dubai served as a feast for starved Cape Town MMA fans. One of the many highlights of the night was when former UFC Lightweight champion and global superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov stepped inside the Grand Arena to corner his two Russian Athletes. The Dagestani's presence was met with an incredible roar as fans shouted 'Khabib!, Khabib!, Khabib!' continuously as PFL President Donn Davis took videos and content of the crowd, a good sign for the future of African MMA. 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. 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 ✕ 'PFL Africa is here to stay,' said Davis, who looks to build this franchise and help bolster African MMA by shaping global superstars through the 'win and advance' format, which is the future and only sustainable template. While the UFC continues to deliver lip service and tease the African MMA community with this major 'UFC Africa' show, the PFL put its shoulder to the wheel and made things happen, appeasing millions of fans, but more importantly, creating invaluable opportunities for African athletes. PFL Africa rolled out its first leg of the 2025 Bantamweight and Heavyweight tournament as South Africa's Nkosi Ndebele, Zimbabwe's Simbarashe Hokonya, Algeria's Karim Henniene, and Angola's Boule Godogo advanced to the semi-final of the 135-pound tournament. In the Heavyweight division, Maxwell Djantou Nana and Abraham Bably delivered some incredible striking, power, and skill to earn wins via decision and KO, respectively, moving one step closer to the PFL Africa Heavyweight title. While it was not ideal for fans who were baying for more Heavyweight action, South Africa's Justin Clarke and Joffie Houlton both confirmed their slots in the big-boy division after early Doctor stoppages against Jashell Ticha Awa and Abdoulaye Kane, respectively. Clarke moved to 3-0 after doctors advised against Awa coming back out of his corner due to a serious nose injury, which led to a TKO result. Kane was disqualified following an illegal knee to the grounded Houlton not long before the second round. In the main event, Costello Van Steenis pulled off one of the biggest comeback wins in MMA history, submitting previously undefeated Johnny Eblen with just seconds left in the fifth and final round to become the new PFL Middleweight World Champion. Eblen, who had stuck to his bread and butter by rolling out his strong wrestling and grappling game, was seemingly on his way to a unanimous decision win after controlling the fight for the majority of the time. Eblen, known for being a strong starter, dominated the first two rounds and seemed to have tired his opponent who looked to lose some snap in his shots, however, Van Steenis found his second breath in the third and landed some damaging shots opening up the champion who understood that he should avoid striking with Van Steenis - who represents that trademark Dutch Kickboxing culture. In between the last three rounds, Eblen's team and doctors did their best to patch up the damage inflicted, especially a nasty gash on the back of his head. Eblen's every shot for the takedown was met with disdain from the crowd, who responded with boos as they wanted to see some striking exchanges. Every time Van Steenis broke free, the Grand Arena reverberated with celebrations, as a hungry MMA nation found a new gladiator to adopt as their own. In the dying seconds of the fifth round, Van Steenis managed to take Eblen's back and sink in the rear-naked choke, put the former champion to sleep, and shock the MMA world. In the co-main event, 2024 PFL Women's Flyweight Champion Dakota Ditcheva of the United Kingdom put on a striking masterclass as she demolished Sumiko Inaba of the United States to earn a unanimous decision victory. Ditcheva's elite Muay Thai was on full display as she punished Inaba with an arsenal of punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and devastating clinch work. The ultra-tough Inaba was as game as they come, continuing to push forward all fight long. In the end, however, Ditcheva was just too much for the Hawaiian as she cruised to a dominant win. Former Bellator Featherweight Champion AJ McKee of the United States was successful in his return to 145 pounds as he earned a unanimous decision victory over Russia's Akhmed Magomedov. Out to prove that he's still 'the baddest man' in the Featherweight division, McKee turned in a well-rounded performance as he out-struck and out-grappled Magomedov for all three rounds to get the impressive win. The First Round of the inaugural 2025 PFL Africa Tournament continues on Saturday, August 9th, from the Big Top Arena, Carnival City, Johannesburg, South Africa, with fighters in the Featherweight and Welterweight Divisions competing for a shot at glory. The action takes place live via the PFL App in the US. PFL Champions Series Road to Dubai: Cape Town Results: Costello van Steenis (17-3) def. Johnny Eblen (16-1) via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:51 of round five Dakota Ditcheva (15-0) def. Sumiko Inaba (8-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-24) AJ McKee (23-2) def. Akhmed Magomedov (11-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) Artur Zaynukov (16-4) def. Takeshi Izumi (6-4) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) Corey Anderson (19-6, 1 NC) def. Denis Goltsov (36-9) via TKO (strikes) at 3:28 of round two 2025 PFL Africa Cape Town First Round Results: Nkosi Ndebele (9-3) def. Mahmoud Atef (5-3) via TKO (strikes) at 4:50 of round one Maxwell Djantou Nana (7-1) def. Mickael Groguhe (6-3) via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-25) Boule Godogo (4-0) def. Shannon van Tonder (7-3) via split decision (30-26, 29-27, 28-29) Justin Clarke (3-0) def. Jashell Ticha Awa (3-2) via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round one Karim Henniene (5-0) def. Asiashu Tshitamba (6-5) via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) Joffie Houlton (8-4) def. Abdoulaye Kane (3-1) via DQ (Illegal Knee) at 0:40 of round one Simbarashe Hokonya (6-0) def. Frans Mlambo (15-7) via unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 30-25) Abraham Bably (6-2) def. Paul-Emmanuel Gnaze (8-6) via KO (punch) at 4:59 of round one Juliet Ukah (7-0) def. Ceileigh Niedermayr (3-3) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFL Africa results: Costello van Steenis pulls off insane buzzer-beater, taps Johnny Eblen
If he does nothing else, Costello van Steenis will always be remembered for Saturday's fight. Not only did he become PFL middleweight champion, van Steenis (17-3) did so in improbable fashion when he submitted Johnny Eblen with nine seconds left in their five-round bout. The stoppage came at 4:51 of Round 5. The middleweight clash headlined PFL Africa at GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, South Africa. Eblen (16-1) had utilized his strong wrestling base and relentless pressure to largely dominate van Steenis the entire fight prior to his demise. Entering Round 5, Eblen was up 39-37 on two judges' scorecards with a third having the fight tied 38-38. Eblen got the fight down to the ground midway through Round 5 and took van Steenis' back. With approximately 45 seconds left on the clock, Eblen made a fatal mistake and fell off the top. Van Steenis slickly flipped the script, got Eblen's back, locked in a rear-naked choke, and put Eblen to sleep. A longtime training partner of Gegard Mousasi, van Steenis built his name in Bellator where he went 7-2 prior to PFL's merger. A 48-second head kick in his PFL debut earned him a crack at Eblen, who had never lost prior to Saturday's bout. Up-to-the-minute PFL Africa results include:
