The Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa will officially debut on July 26 at the GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, South Africa, marking a major step in the growth of mixed martial arts on the continent.
This inaugural event kicks off the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament with first-round matchups in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. Each division will feature eight fighters, advancing through semifinal and final rounds.
The launch will also include five PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai bouts, making it a joint event. The headliner features undefeated Middleweight World Champion Johnny Eblen (16-0) against Spain’s Costello van Steenis (16-3). The co-main event will see 2024 PFL World Champion Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) face Hawaii’s Sumiko Inaba (8-1). More Champions Series bouts will be announced soon.
Francis Ngannou, a global MMA icon, will lead PFL Africa as Chairman, helping to develop emerging African talent and shape the league’s long-term growth strategy. Helios Sports & Entertainment Group, a major investor in NBA Africa, has joined as a capital partner, while Elias Schulze will serve as General Manager.
Peter Murray, CEO of the PFL, stated, “Kicking off the PFL Champions Series in Cape Town alongside the launch of PFL Africa reflects our commitment to grow the sport of MMA throughout the continent and provide pathways for African fighters to compete globally and become champions.”
The tournament will span four events across Africa, featuring 24 fighters from 14 countries. Full details of the semifinal and final host cities will be revealed soon.
PFL Africa will benefit from wide broadcast reach via partnerships with Canal+ and SuperSport, as well as a new mobile-first platform developed with CFM, making the league highly accessible to African fans. Organisers estimate the league will reach over 90% of African households.