The inaugural PFL Africa Finals, held on December 20, 2025, delivered a landmark night for mixed martial arts on the continent. Hosted at the Sofitel Dome, the event marked a defining chapter in Africa’s growing presence on the global stage.
The evening was designed as an intimate, VIP broadcast event, complemented by large-scale watch parties across the Cotonou region that showcased Beninese culture and hospitality to the world. Beyond the results, the night sent a clear message: African MMA is evolving—organised, professional, and hungry.
Early Fireworks and Statement Wins
One detail stood out even before the first punch was thrown: every fighter on the card made weight, a historic first for the promotion.
The night kicked off in the Women’s Strawweight division, where Shelda Chipito (Zambia) faced Miracle Andrew (Nigeria). Chipito emerged victorious via unanimous decision in a technical, well-fought contest.
Momentum exploded in the featherweight division as Mouhamed Ba (Senegal) delivered a brutal first-round stoppage against Desmond Tamungang (Cameroon), landing a series of wicked blows that forced an early referee intervention.
In the lightweight division, Abdoulaye Kane (Senegal) faced Jashell Ticha Awa (Cameroon). Kane stood out with composure, securing a second-round finish after a gritty war, announcing himself as a breakout star.
The welterweight clash between Styve Ngono (Cameroon) and Mélèdje Yedoh (Ivory Coast) was the battle of the night. Despite suffering an early injury, Yedoh fought with heart, but Ngono’s dominance proved decisive, earning him a unanimous decision victory.
Undefeated Records Fall
In a highly anticipated Women’s Strawweight contender bout, Juliet Ukah (Nigeria) squared off against Maryam Gaber (Egypt). Ukah wasted no time, overwhelming the Egyptian grappler to secure a TKO victory and improving her undefeated record to 8–0.
In the middleweight division, Eliezer Kubanza (DRC) stopped Francis Mozou (Togo) in the very first round. Mozou, a former lightweight champion making his middleweight debut, was caught early by Kubanza’s power.
National Pride and The “Black Panther”
One of the most emotionally charged fights of the night featured Jean Do Santos (Benin), known as “The Black Panther”. He was backed by a roaring home crowd, and his corner included Ouanilo Médégan Fagla, his coach, and the president of the Benin Mixed Martial Arts Federation (FéBéMMA).
Competing in the featherweight division, Do Santos faced Cornel Thompson (Nigeria) in a matchup layered with regional rivalry. Despite entering the cage with a reported ankle injury sustained two weeks prior, Dos Santos fought bravely.
However, Thompson showed immense composure, controlling the fight to secure a clear decision victory.
Championship Gold: The $100,000 Title Fights
History was made in the championship bouts, where the first-ever PFL Africa Champions were crowned.
Featherweight Championship: Wasi Adeshina (Nigeria) defeated Alain Majorique (Cameroon) via doctor stoppage in the second round. A deep cut above Majorique’s eye forced officials to halt the contest, crowning Adeshina the inaugural champion.
Heavyweight Championship: Abraham “Bubbly” Bably (United Kingdom/Ghana) needed just 21 seconds to put Justin Clarke (South Africa) out cold. Recording the fastest finish in PFL Africa history, Bably claimed the Heavyweight title with a single explosive sequence.
Welterweight Championship: In a stunning turnaround, Yabna N’Tchala (Togo) defeated Shido Boris Esperança (Angola). After being dominated early by Esperança’s grappling, N’Tchala rallied so effectively that Esperança retired on the stool before the fifth round, handing the Togolese fighter the belt.
Bantamweight Championship (Main Event): The night concluded with the Bantamweight title fight between Nkosi Ndebele (South Africa) and Boule Godogo (Gabon). The fight ended abruptly in the second round when Godogo went down, signalling a low blow. However, instant replay confirmed a clean liver shot, earning Ndebele a legitimate TKO victory and the championship.
A Gathering of Titans and Dignitaries
The significance of the night was underscored by the high-profile attendance of government officials and sporting legends.
Francis Ngannou, PFL Africa Chairman and global MMA superstar, was present to oversee the event and crown the new champions. Joining him were key figures in the event’s organisation, including Lionel Talon, son of the President and founder of the EYA Foundation, who played a pivotal role in collaborating with the PFL to bring the finals to Benin.
Also in attendance was Benoît Dato, Benin’s Minister of Sports, who hailed the event as a reflection of the country’s sporting ambition, and Sindé Chekete, CEO of Benin Tourism. Patrice Talon, the President of Benin, whose private sponsorship through his son’s foundation was instrumental and was a central figure in the event’s realisation. PFL Africa General Manager Elias Schulze was also cageside, commenting on the massive potential unlocked by this successful debut.
A New Era Begins
With four events already announced for 2026, the PFL Africa Finals in Benin was not merely the end of a season—it was a statement. As the VIPs and fans departed the Sofitel Dome, the consensus was clear: African MMA has arrived, and it is here to stay.
