The world of African mixed martial arts witnessed a historic turning point on December 20, 2025. The inaugural PFL Africa Finals, held at the Sofitel Dome in Cotonou, Benin, was more than just a sporting event; it was a declaration that African MMA has arrived on the global stage with power and professionalism.
A Night of Firsts and Fierce Competition
The evening set a new standard from the very beginning, with every athlete on the card successfully making weight—a first for the promotion that signaled a new era of discipline. The action commenced in the Women’s Strawweight division, where Shelda Chipito of Zambia earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Nigeria's Miracle Andrew.
The intensity quickly escalated. Mouhamed Ba from Senegal made a massive statement in the featherweight division, securing a brutal first-round stoppage against Cameroon's Desmond Tamungang. Another Senegalese fighter, Abdoulaye Kane, showcased remarkable composure to finish Cameroon's Jashell Ticha Awa in the second round of their lightweight battle.
One of the most thrilling contests was the welterweight clash between Cameroon's Styve Ngono and Ivory Coast's Mélèdje Yedoh. Yedoh displayed incredible heart fighting through an early injury, but Ngono's dominant performance earned him a unanimous decision win.
Undefeated Streaks and Emotional Battles
Nigeria's Juliet Ukah reinforced her status as a rising force, overwhelming Egypt's Maryam Gaber for a TKO victory to remain undefeated at 8-0. In the middleweight division, Eliezer Kubanza of the DRC needed just one round to stop Togo's Francis Mozou, who was making a challenging debut in the new weight class.
The home crowd roared for Benin's own Jean "The Black Panther" Do Santos, who fought with immense courage despite a pre-existing ankle injury. However, Nigeria's Cornel Thompson displayed superior control to claim a decision victory in this emotionally charged featherweight contest.
Making History: The $100,000 Championship Fights
The championship bouts were where legends were born and the first-ever PFL Africa champions were crowned, each securing a life-changing prize.
In the featherweight title fight, Nigeria's Wasi Adeshina was crowned champion after a deep cut above the eye of Cameroon's Alain Majorique led to a doctor's stoppage in the second round.
The heavyweight championship was decided in record time. Abraham "Bubbly" Bably, representing Ghana and the UK, needed only 21 seconds to knock out South Africa's Justin Clarke, securing the fastest finish in PFL Africa history.
One of the night's most dramatic turnarounds came in the welterweight championship. Togo's Yabna N’Tchala, after being dominated early by the grappling of Angola's Shido Boris Esperança, rallied so powerfully that Esperança retired on his stool before the fifth round.
The bantamweight main event between South Africa's Nkosi Ndebele and Gabon's Boule Godogo ended controversially in the second round. An apparent low blow was confirmed by instant replay to be a clean liver shot, awarding Ndebele a legitimate TKO victory and the championship.
A Gathering of Titans and a Bright Future
The significance of the event was magnified by the high-profile figures in attendance. Francis Ngannou, the global MMA superstar and PFL Africa Chairman, was present to oversee the proceedings and crown the new champions.
He was joined by key dignitaries including Benoît Dato, Benin's Minister of Sports, and Sindé Chekete, CEO of Benin Tourism. The pivotal role of Patrice Talon, President of Benin, was highlighted, with his private sponsorship through the EYA Foundation, founded by his son Lionel Talon, being instrumental in bringing the finals to the country.
PFL Africa General Manager Elias Schulze celebrated the massive potential unlocked by this successful debut. With four events already announced for 2026, the finals in Benin were not an end, but a powerful beginning. The message from Cotonou was clear: African MMA is organized, professional, and here to stay.
