Cameroonian mixed martial arts prospect Emilios Dassi has seen his dream of winning the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa title this year dashed, following an early defeat to Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança at the tournament opener in Pretoria, South Africa, on Friday, April 10.
The welterweight rising star from the Francis Ngannou Foundation, who was returning to the tournament after losing his semifinal bout at the inaugural PFL Africa Tournament last year, suffered a first-round loss—bringing his hopes of redemption to an abrupt end.
In another welterweight tournament bout, pioneer PFL Africa champion Yabna N’Tchala of Guinea-Bissau started strongly against South Africa’s Peace Nguphane but failed to maintain momentum. Nguphane regrouped, dragged the fight into his territory with effective takedowns and firm top control, and unleashed sustained ground-and-pound that swung the fight in his favour and earned him a unanimous decision victory
With those results, Esperança and Nguphane are now set to meet in the semifinals later this year, where they will battle for a place in the tournament final.
Earlier, Nigeria’s David Samuel opened his welterweight tournament campaign in style, submitting Egypt’s Abdelrahman Mohammad in the first round after dropping him multiple times with sharp boxing. Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau’s late replacement Rivaldo Pereira made the most of his opportunity—stepping in on just a day’s notice to stop Nigeria’s Kunle Lawal in the opening frame.
With those performances, Samuel and Pereira are now set to clash in the semifinals, pitting two of the tournament’s most dangerous finishers against each other.
Other results
Beyond the welterweight tournament bouts, PFL Africa treated fans to a full night of MMA action, marked by several statement performances across the opening card of its Season Two event.
In the bantamweight main event, reigning PFL Africa champion Nkosi Ndebele of South Africa faced Italy’s Michele Clemente in a thrilling contest, with Ndebele ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory.
It was also a night of celebration for South African fans, as hometown fighter Justin Clarke ended Abdoulaye Kane’s winning streak in a thrilling heavyweight clash. Senegal’s Kane struck first with a powerful early combination that left Clarke bloodied and on unsteady legs, but the home favourite refused to back down, turning the tide with a fierce counter right hand that sent Kane crashing to the canvas.
Opening the fight night, Kenya’s Felista-Mutheu Mugo earned a unanimous decision victory over fellow East African Annet Kiiza in the first of two women’s strawweight bouts. In the second, undefeated Nigeria Police corporal Juliet Ukah secured a split decision win after three rounds of action against compatriot Jane Osigwe in an all-Nigerian showdown.
