Nigeria delivered a masterclass in combat sports supremacy at the inaugural PFL Africa Finals, held on a historic night at the Sofitel Dome in Cotonou, Benin Republic. Crossing the border with determination, the Nigerian contingent returned home not just victorious but laden with championship gold, cementing the nation's status as the undisputed leader in African mixed martial arts.
Nigerian Champions Claim Historic Victories
The pinnacle of the night was Wasi "The Nigerian Jaguar" Adeshina's crowning achievement. Facing Cameroon's Alain Majorique for the life-changing $100,000 prize, Adeshina displayed ice-cold composure. He systematically broke down his opponent with precise striking, opening a severe cut that led to a doctor's stoppage in the second round at 3:07. With this win, Adeshina etched his name in history as the first-ever PFL Africa Featherweight Champion.
In the women's division, Juliet "Queen of the Cage" Ukah reinforced her terrifying reputation. The pioneer of PFL Africa's female ranks clashed with Egypt's Maryam Gaber in a classic stylistic battle. Ukah wasted no time, unleashing a relentless barrage of strikes to secure a first-round TKO victory. This win extends her perfect professional record to 8-0, solidifying her position as the face of women's MMA across the continent.
Grit and Heart on Full Display
Another standout performance came from Cornel "The Marine Boxer" Thompson, who faced perhaps the toughest challenge of the night. He stepped into the cage against Benin's local hero, Jean "The Black Panther" Do Santos, in front of a deafening, partisan crowd that included the fighter's prominent coach. Unfazed, Thompson executed a clinical game plan over three rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory, silencing the dome and proving his elite mental fortitude.
The event opened with Miracle Andrew representing Nigeria against Zambia's Shelda Chipito. Although Andrew lost via unanimous decision, her valiant effort underscored the depth and fighting spirit present within the Nigerian squad, contributing to an unforgettable night of competition.
A Season of Nigerian Dominance
The triumphant finals were the culmination of a dominant season for Nigerian MMA. Throughout the 2025 PFL Africa season, Nigeria fielded the largest contingent of any nation, with seven fighters competing across the four landmark events. This placed them ahead of rivals South Africa, who had six athletes. The celebrated "Super Seven" who carried the Nigerian flag this season were:
- Wasi Adeshina (Featherweight Champion)
- Juliet Ukah (Women's Strawweight)
- Patrick "Star Boi" Ocheme (Featherweight)
- Cornel "The Marine Boxer" Thompson (Lightweight)
- Kunle "Nigerian Ninja" Lawal (Welterweight)
- Joffie Houlton (Heavyweight)
- Miracle Andrew (Women's Strawweight)
With PFL Africa already announcing four events for the 2026 season, the message is clear. Under the watchful eye of league Chairman Francis Ngannou, the Nigerian fighters have demonstrated world-class potential. Boasting the highest number of competitors and now housing the most significant championship hardware in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria has officially been crowned the powerhouse of African MMA. The road to future PFL Africa titles undoubtedly runs through the Giant of Africa.
