History was made tonight at the Sofitel Dome in Cotonou, Benin, as the inaugural PFL Africa season came to a close with four new champions crowned in the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, and Bantamweight divisions.
In the main event, Nkosi “The King of Many Nations” Ndebele (11-3) was nothing short of dominant, as he knocked out fellow South African Boule “Bad Boy” Godogo (4-2) to become the first-ever PFL Africa Bantamweight Tournament Champion. Ndebele was firing on all cylinders from the opening seconds, as he landed big shots on Godogo. In the second round, Ndebele survived a takedown and landed a devastating kick to the body that put Godogo down and out.
In the co-main event, Yabna “The Panther” N’Tchala (14-2-1) of Guinea-Bissau pushed Angola’s Shido Boris “The Machine” Esperança (10-2) to the limit, winning by TKO and claiming the inaugural PFL Africa Welterweight Tournament Championship. Esperança came out strong in the first two rounds, using his elite-level grappling to control the action and keep N’Tchala grounded. In the third round however, N’Tchala rallied back with big punches and elbows. N’Tchala ended the third round strong with a takedown of his own, while continuing to punish Esperança with heavy strikes on the ground. Exhausted, Esperança was unable to get off his stool before the start of the fourth round, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Ivory Coast’s Abraham “The One and Only” Bably (8-2) needed just 21 seconds to knock out South African Justin Clarke (4-1) to capture the inaugural PFL Africa Heavyweight Tournament Championship. Bably was throwing bombs right from the opening bell, catching Clarke early and often with heavy shots to the head. A right hook stunned Clarke, and Bably finished the job with a flurry of vicious left hands for the spectacular knockout.
Nigeria’s Wasi “The Nigerian Jaguar” Adeshina (10-3) overcame a slow opening round to defeat Cameroonian Alain “African Assassin” Majorique by TKO in the second round to become the first-ever PFL Africa Featherweight Tournament Champion. Majorique found success in the first round as he had Adeshina hurt early. Adeshina recovered and continued to use his striking to punish Majorique until a cut from the latter’s left eye ultimately forced a Doctor Stoppage due to a cut in the second round.
PFL Africa Finals Complete Results
PFL Africa Bantamweight Finals: Nkosi Ndebele (11-3) def. Boule Godogo (4-2) by KO (Body Kick) at 0:27 of round two
PFL Africa Welterweight Finals: Yabna N’Tchala (14-2-1) def. Shido Boris Esperança (10-2) by TKO (Retirement) at 5:00 of round three
Lightweight Showcase Bout: Cornel Thompson (11-3) def. Jean Do Santos (9-2) by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
PFL Africa Heavyweight Finals: Abraham Bably (8-2) def. Justin Clarke (4-1) by KO (Punches) at 0:21 of round one
PFL Africa Featherweight Finals: Wasi Adeshina (10-3) def. Alain Majorique (6-1) by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) at 3:07 of round two
Welterweight Showcase Bout: Eliezer Kubanza (8-1) def. Francis Mozou (4-3) by TKO (Punches) at 3:18 of round one
Women’s Strawweight Showcase Bout: Juliet Ukah (8-0) def. Maryam Gaber (3-1) by TKO (Punches) at 3:12 of round one
Light Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Styve Ngono (7-1) def. Mélèdje Yedoh (1-1) by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Abdoulaye Kane (5-1) def. Jashell Ticha Awa (3-3) by TKO (Punches) at 1:16 of round two
Welterweight Showcase Bout: Mouhamed Ba (4-1) def. Desmond Tamungang (5-2) by TKO (Punches) at 2:00 of round one
Women’s Strawweight Showcase Bout: Shelda Chipito (1-0) def. Miracle Andrew (1-2) by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
