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IOL News
20-07-2025
- 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.
Daily Maverick
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Unprecedented MMA action as PFL Africa hosts elite fighters in Cape Town's Grand Arena
The best MMA fighters in the world are in South Africa preparing to fight in the PFL Champions Series in the Mother City, with the event doubling as the inaugural PFL Africa fixture. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is setting up shop in Africa with the PFL Africa, and it's hosting the biggest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event South Africa has seen thus far in its launch. The PFL competes alongside the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in terms of organisation size and calibre, with several of the worlds best MMA fighters taking to the Grand Arena at Grandwest, Cape Town, on Saturday, 19 July 2025, to compete. It's looking increasingly unlikely that UFC — in which South African middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis competes — will host an event in South Africa for the foreseeable future with operational costs, ticket prices and suitable venues an issue for the Dana White-run organisation. So for South African MMA fans, Saturday's event is the highest quality MMA event the country will see until PFL decides to return. PFL Africa launches on Saturday — PFL's third international league alongside PFL Europe and PFL Middle East and North Africa — beginning with first-round matchups in the heavyweight and bantamweight divisions. Each division will feature an eight-person bracket, with fighters advancing through semifinals and finals. The tournament will span four events across Africa and feature 24 fighters from 14 African countries. The next event is on 9 August in Johannesburg — at Top Arena, Carnival City — where the featherweight and welterweight divisions will compete. South Africa's Nkosi Ndebele's (8-3) bantamweight bout against Egypt's Mahmoud Atef (5-2) is one of a handful of mouthwatering PFL Africa clashes on Saturday. Later on Saturday night the event will be headlined by five PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai bouts — PFL's main fighting league. In the World Title main event, undefeated Middleweight World Champion Johnny Eblen (16-0) meets Spain's Costello van Steenis (16-3). In the co-main event, undefeated 2024 PFL world champion Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) takes on Hawaii's Sumiko Inaba (8-1). Headliners In the process of PFL's ongoing expansion, it also acquired another MMA organisation, Bellator MMA, in 2023. In doing so, it signed several of their stars including Saturday's star attraction Eblen. 'Being part of the global expansion for the PFL is really fun,' Eblen said at the media day on Wednesday. 'Me and my wife get to travel the world. 'It's fun to see the world, see different cultures and see fighting spread. At the end of the day it's what we want to do, and the PFL has been a big staple for that, and I'm happy to be a part of it. 'What's attractive about it is that they can bring in new guys for me to fight. '[PFL] is really good at raising money and getting things going. I'm fighting in Africa now, I fought in Saudi Arabia twice, before that I was mainly fighting in the States, which was fun but I also like travelling.' It's Eblen's first time in South Africa. The middleweight star has spent two weeks in the country to acclimatise and get over the time difference. But in the time he's been in the Mother City, he's also had his phone stolen. 'We were in an Uber, my window was down in the city centre in a bad area and someone snatched my phone,' he said, although admitting that it was down to his own negligence. 'But that would happen anywhere, that would happen in the US in a bad area.' His opponent on Saturday night, Van Steenis, was adamant that he would break Eblen's unbeaten run, claiming he would end the bout in the second round. Eblen's response was short and to the point: 'No, he's not.' Although the 33-year-old did outline that Van Steenis is a top athlete, he's confident he'll retain his middleweight crown against the Spaniard. 'He's an aggressive, athletic guy, he goes for the finish, but that's really it,' Eblen said. 'Every guy I've fought has that ability. He's nothing different to what I've seen from any other opponent. Just a different guy on a different day. I've got better.'
Time Out
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Time Out
Professional Fighters League
Mark your calendar for 19 July, when the Professional Fighters League (PFL) brings a landmark event to Cape Town's GrandWest Arena. In a first for the continent, PFL Africa will debut alongside the high-stakes PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai. The evening promises intense MMA competition, with a lineup that blends international names with top African fighters. Among the highlights is Ceileigh Niedermayr, who will make history as the first South African woman to compete in the PFL. She'll be joined by fellow South Africans Nkosi "King" Ndebele, Shannon van Tonder, and Justin Clarke, all stepping into the cage in front of a home crowd.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Johnny Eblen, Dakota Ditcheva to compete in inaugural PFL Africa event in July
PFL's debut event in Africa will feature two of the promotion's biggest stars. PFL Africa, led by chairman Francis Ngannou, officially is set to launch July 26 at GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, promotion officials announced Wednesday morning. Headlining the event will be Bellator champion Johnny Eblen (16-0), who defends his middleweight title against Costello van Steenis (16-3). In the co-main event, 2024 PFL women's flyweight champion Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) meets Hawaii's Sumiko Inaba (8-1). 𝘼𝙁𝙍𝙄𝘾𝘼. 𝙒𝙀 𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙄𝙉𝙂 😤 PFL Africa launches Saturday 26th July at the GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, South Africa! New stars will be born ⭐️ Champions will emerge 👑 History will be made 🔥#PFLCapeTown | Saturday July 26⁰GrandWest Arena | South Africa — PFLAfrica (@PFLAfrica) May 7, 2025 The fights featuring Eblen and Ditcheva are taking place under the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai branding, with three more expected to follow. It'll mark Eblen's first action since Oct. 19, 2024 when he defended his belt against Fabian Edwards. Ditcheva will compete for the first time since Nov. 29, 2024 when she defeated former UFC title challenger Taila Santos in the 2024 women's flyweight final. The PFL Africa portion of the card marks the launch of the inaugural PFL Africa tournament, which features eight-man brackets in the heavyweight and bantamweight divisions. As of now, half of each field is set, with the PFL saying it will announce the remaining bouts soon. The current PFL Africa card includes: Johnny Eblen vs. Costello van Steenis – for middleweight title Dakota Ditcheva vs. Sumiko Inaba Justin Clarke vs. Jashell Ticha Awa – PFL Africa heavyweight quarterfinal Mahmoud Atef vs. Nkosi Ndebele – PFL Africa bantamweight quarterfinal Abdoullah Kane vs. Mohammad Ben Yahia – PFL Africa heavyweight quarterfinal Abderrahman Errachidy vs. Simbarashe Hokonya – PFL Africa bantamweight quarterfinal This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Johnny Eblen, Dakota Ditcheva return at inaugural PFL Africa event
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Johnny Eblen, Dakota Ditcheva to compete in inaugural PFL Africa event in July
Johnny Eblen, Dakota Ditcheva to compete in inaugural PFL Africa event in July PFL's debut event in Africa will feature two of the promotion's biggest stars. PFL Africa, led by chairman Francis Ngannou, officially is set to launch July 26 at GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, promotion officials announced Wednesday morning. Headlining the event will be Bellator champion Johnny Eblen (16-0), who defends his middleweight title against Costello van Steenis (16-3). In the co-main event, 2024 PFL women's flyweight champion Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) meets Hawaii's Sumiko Inaba (8-1). The fights featuring Eblen and Ditcheva are taking place under the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai branding, with three more expected to follow. It'll mark Eblen's first action since Oct. 19, 2024 when he defended his belt against Fabian Edwards. Ditcheva will compete for the first time since Nov. 29, 2024 when she defeated former UFC title challenger Taila Santos in the 2024 women's flyweight final. The PFL Africa portion of the card marks the launch of the inaugural PFL Africa tournament, which features eight-man brackets in the heavyweight and bantamweight divisions. As of now, half of each field is set, with the PFL saying it will announce the remaining bouts soon. The current PFL Africa card includes:
