PFL is officially making history this Saturday with the launch of PFL Africa, taking place at Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town, South Africa. The inaugural event brings high-stakes action and global stars to the continent for the first time, with the main card airing live on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET in the U.S., and prelims available earlier on the PFL App.
At the top of the bill, PFL middleweight champion Johnny Eblen defends his unbeaten record against Bellator veteran Costello van Steenis. It’s a pivotal bout on the “Road to Dubai,” with implications for the global championship picture.
In the co-main event, undefeated flyweight phenom Dakota Ditcheva faces off against fan-favorite Sumiko Inaba in a stylistic clash between precision and power.
Elsewhere on the main card, former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee returns to his natural weight class against dangerous Dagestani grappler Akhmed Magomedov. Meanwhile, ex-UFC light heavyweight standout Corey Anderson moves up to heavyweight to meet PFL tournament winner Denis Goltsov.
A lightweight clash between Artur Zaynukov and Takeshi Izumi rounds out the five-fight main card lineup.
The prelims, airing at 10 a.m. ET via the PFL App, will spotlight African MMA talent with nine compelling matchups. Nkosi Ndebele takes on Mahmoud Atef in a bantamweight showdown, and unbeaten prospect Maxwell Djantou Nana faces Mickael Groguhe.
Additional preliminary bouts include Shannon Van Tonder vs. Boule Godogo, Jashell Ticha Awa vs. Justin Clarke, and Asiashu Tshitamba vs. Karim Henniene.
Also in action: Abdoulaye Kane vs. Joffie Houlton, Simbarashe Hokonya vs. Frans Mlambo, Abraham Bably vs. Paul Gnaze, and Juliet Ukah vs. Ceileigh Niedermayr.
With high-level international names and rising African talent, PFL Africa is poised to deliver one of the most significant MMA events of 2025.
