Four tournament titles will be decided as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa Finals aim to crown the continent’s first MMA champions on December 20, 2025, at the Sofitel Dome in Cotonou, Benin.
The highly anticipated event will be accessible globally through various broadcasting partners. In French-speaking Africa, Canal+ will provide live coverage, while SuperSport will serve English-speaking African audiences. U.S. viewers can watch the PFL Africa Finals live on VICE TV and the PFL APP, marking the first time the event is broadcast live in the States. Additionally, the official PFL Africa streaming platform, streampflafrica.com, along with ten other broadcasters across Africa, will deliver comprehensive coverage of the event.
Historic Stakes and Prize Purse
The 2025 PFL Africa Finals represent a landmark moment for the continent’s mixed martial arts scene, as the tournament will crown champions in four weight divisions: Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, and Bantamweight. Each division winner will secure a $100,000 prize, among the largest MMA purses offered within Africa, alongside the prestige of being recognized as the inaugural PFL Africa Tournament Champion.
Fabrice Faux, Director of Content, Sport and General Entertainment at Canal+ for French-speaking Africa, emphasized the significance: “We are proud to host and broadcast this historic event. The Republic of Benin, as well as the Professional Fighters League, can rely on Canal+ Sport to promote and expose this championship widely across the continent.” This partnership reflects a strategic commitment to growing fight sports within African markets.
Key Matchups and Fighters to Watch
The event will be headlined by the Bantamweight final, where South Africa’s Nkosi “King of Many Nations” Ndebele (10-3) will challenge undefeated Algerian prospect Karim “The Kryptonian” Henniene (6-0). Nkosi brings a wealth of experience and finishing ability, while Henniene enters the bout with a perfect record, signaling a high-stakes clash of styles and skills.
The co-main event will feature a Welterweight showdown between Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança (11-1), a fighter with an 82% finish rate, and Yabna N’Tchala (13-2-1) from Guinea-Bissau, a striker known for his precision and tactical acumen.
Another highlight includes a Lightweight Showcase Bout pitting Benin’s Jean Do Santos (9-1) against Nigeria’s Cornel Thompson (10-3). Do Santos enters his PFL debut riding momentum from capturing the AKO Lightweight belt via an 8-second jumping knee knockout — a testament to his explosive power and propensity for quick finishes.
In the Heavyweight division, South African Justin Clarke (4-0), boasting a flawless finishing rate, faces off against Ivory Coast’s Abraham Bably (7-2), known for securing five stoppages in his wins. Additionally, the Featherweight final will see Cameroonian undefeated Alain Majorique (6-0) battle Nigerian Wasi Adeshina (9-3), who is currently on a five-fight winning streak, underlining the competitive depth across divisions.
Showcasing Women’s MMA Talent
The card will also shine a spotlight on African women’s MMA with two strawweight showcase bouts. Zambia’s Shelda Chipito (0-0), fresh off a decorated amateur career with a 9-4 record and recent 2025 IMMAF African gold and IMMAF Worlds silver medalist accolades, will make her professional debut against Nigeria’s Miracle Andrew (1-1).
Also featured is undefeated Nigerian standout Juliet Ukah (7-0), who faces Egypt’s Maryam Gaber (3-0), a former boxer with an impressive 5-1-1 boxing record transitioning successfully into MMA. Their matchup exemplifies the growing prominence of female fighters on the African MMA stage.
Full PFL Africa Finals Card Overview
The event comprises 11 bouts representing 12 countries, including four championship finals alongside six showcase fights and one alternate bout. The lineup reflects MMA’s diverse and expanding talent pool across Africa.
PFL Africa Finals Card – Sofitel Dome, Cotonou, Benin – December 20, 2025
- Bantamweight Final: Nkosi Ndebele (10-3) vs. Karim Henniene (6-0)
- Welterweight Final: Shido Boris Esperança (11-1) vs. Yabna N’Tchala (13-2-1)
- Lightweight Showcase Bout: Jean Do Santos (9-1) vs. Cornel Thompson (10-3)
- Heavyweight Final: Justin Clarke (4-0) vs. Abraham Bably (7-2)
- Featherweight Final: Alain Majorique (6-0) vs. Wasi Adeshina (9-3)
- Women’s Strawweight Showcase Bouts: Juliet Ukah (7-0) vs. Maryam Gaber (3-0), Shelda Chipito (0-0) vs. Miracle Andrew (1-1)
- Light Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Styve Ngono (6-1) vs. Mélèdje Yedoh (1-0)
- Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Abdoulaye Kane (4-1) vs. Jashell Ticha Awa (3-2)
- Welterweight Showcase Bout: Mouhamed Ba (3-1) vs. British Boloyoang (3-2)
- Bantamweight Alternate Bout: Boule Godogo (4-1) vs. Thimna Mhlauli (5-0)
The Significance for African MMA
The PFL Africa Finals mark a milestone in elevating the sport across the continent, providing a structured pathway for African fighters to earn international recognition and lucrative rewards. The integration of high-profile broadcast partners and the substantial prize money signal growing investment in the sport’s regional development.
With fighters from 12 countries represented, the event underscores the geographic breadth of MMA talent emerging from Africa, reflecting wider trends in global MMA where regional competitions feed into world tours and championship opportunities.
This tournament also aligns with the increasing visibility of women’s MMA in Africa, supporting athletes transitioning from amateur to professional ranks with enhanced platforms and media exposure, vital for the growth of the sport and gender equity in combat sports.
Fans looking to follow the buildup and results can access detailed event updates and fighter profiles on Globally Pulse Sports. For official live coverage and fight analysis, the event’s broadcast partners, including Reuters Sports, offer comprehensive insight into the high-stakes bouts shaping the future of African MMA.
