Boxing

PFL Africa crown best MMA fighters in Cotonou

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History was made on Saturday night 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 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)

ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE

Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a global powerhouse in MMA, and is the fastest-growing sports league worldwide.

PFL hosts premium MMA events across the U.S., Europe, MENA, and Africa, with planned expansion in Asia, Australia, and Latin America.

PFL fighter roster is world-class with 30% top-25 world-ranked in their weight class by independent third-parties. PFL is broadcast and streamed live to 170 countries with 26 leading media partners.

PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors including SURJ, Ares, 885 Capital, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners.

MMA is the growth and global sport business of this decade, with 700 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demographic, and true global revenue streams.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.