Cameroonian mixed martial arts prospect Emilios Dassi is set to return to the cage when the second season of Professional Fighters League, PFL Africa gets underway in Pretoria, South Africa next month.
The welterweight rising talent from the Francis Ngannou Foundation, will face Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança in what promises to be a highly anticipated bout as both fighters begin their quest for divisional gold at the SunBet Arena on Friday, April 10.
Known in the cage as “The Predator’s Son,” Dassi competed in the inaugural season of PFL Africa last year, producing an impressive first-round knockout victory over Angola’s Osvaldo Benedito in Johannesburg. He advanced to the semifinals of the welterweight tournament before suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Guinea-Bissau’s Yabna N’tchala after a fiercely contested fight in Kigali.
“Although I didn’t make it last year, it was a great experience and I learned a lot,” Dassi told NewsWatch.
Now preparing for his return to the continental tournament, the Cameroonian says he is determined to go even further this time around.
“I am coming with something new” Dassi said ahead of his fight Esperança. My objective is to really go all the way”.
Dassi who we met at a training camp in Yaounde on Thursday, March 12 said he is undergoing intense preparations for the upcoming clash and believes he has put himself in the best possible condition for a strong performance.
“I put all the chances on my side by following a very good preparation for this fight. Before the fight, everything will be in place to make a very good performance,” he said.
Commenting about his opponent, Dassi described Esperança as a well-rounded fighter capable of delivering a tough contest inside the cage.
He [Esperança] is a very good fighter. I have a lot of respect for him. He fights well and he’s a complete fighter. I think we are going to have a very good fight,” Dassi said.
As he prepares for his PFL Africa return, the Cameroonian welterweight rising star has urged his supporters to continue backing him.
“To my fans, I ask them to continue encouraging us because it helps a lot to know we are not alone and that there are people behind us. Mentally, it helps a lot,” he said.
With frightening knockout power reminiscent of his mentor and global Heavyweight champion “The Predator” Francis Ngannou, Dassi hopes a victory in Pretoria will mark the beginning of a deeper run in the PFL Africa welterweight tournament as he seeks to establish himself among the continent’s rising MMA talents.
The Pretoria event marks the PFL’s return to Africa after a successful debut season that saw the crowning of four pioneer PFL Africa Tournament Champions across the heavyweight, welterweight, featherweight and bantamweight divisions with each earning $100,000 in prize money.
The promotion says Season Two will showcase rising African prospects alongside proven contenders from over 10 different nations across the continent.
The card features a mix of tournament bouts and showcase fights, headlined by the 2025 Bantamweight Champion, Nkosi Ndebele. The South African will square off with Italy’s Michele Clemente in a Showcase bout.
The co-main event will see South Africa’s Justin Clarke glove up against Senegal’s Abdoulaye Kane in a high-powered clash of heavyweights.
