PFL Africa Debuts in Pretoria: Nkosi Ndebele Claims Victory Over Michele Clemente in Bantamweight Showdown

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) made a significant mark in South Africa with its inaugural event at SunBet Arena in Pretoria on April 12, 2026. The event attracted a vibrant crowd eager for a night filled with mixed martial arts (MMA) action, showcasing a series of thrilling bouts that highlighted the talent within the league.

Bantamweight Main Event: Ndebele vs. Clemente

The bantamweight main event featured a compelling matchup between Nkosi Ndebele and Michele Clemente. Ndebele, known as the “King of Many Nations,” faced off against the Italian fighter, Clemente, dubbed “Arrow.” The bout began with both fighters exchanging sharp punches and elbows, setting the tone for an intense contest. Clemente applied relentless pressure throughout the fight but often found himself countered effectively by Ndebele. After three rounds of fierce competition, Ndebele secured a unanimous decision victory, further establishing his reputation in the bantamweight division.

Heavyweight Clash: Clarke vs. Kane

In the heavyweight division, a thrilling encounter unfolded between Senegal’s Abdoulaye Kane and South Africa’s Justin Clarke. Kane initiated the action with a powerful combination that left Clarke momentarily dazed. However, Clarke demonstrated resilience, countering with a decisive right hand that sent Kane to the canvas, resulting in a TKO victory for the hometown fighter in the first round.

Welterweight Tournament Highlights

The welterweight tournament showcased several standout performances. Nigeria’s David Samuel opened his campaign with an impressive submission victory over Abdelrahman Mohammad, finishing the fight in the first round after demonstrating superior boxing skills. Samuel’s ability to transition to the ground game effectively allowed him to secure the win with minimal damage.

Guinea-Bissau’s Rivaldo Pereira, stepping in as a late replacement, made a remarkable impact by defeating Kunle Lawal in the opening round. Pereira delivered a body shot that incapacitated Lawal, followed by a series of elbows on the ground, securing his advancement in the tournament. This victory sets up a semi-final clash between Samuel and Pereira, both recognized for their finishing capabilities.

Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança also made a strong statement in the welterweight tournament, defeating Emilios Dassi with a first-round TKO. After tripping Dassi, Esperança quickly established dominant ground control, unleashing elbows and punches until the referee intervened.

In another notable welterweight bout, Yabna “The Panther” N’Tchala faced Peace Nguphane. N’Tchala started aggressively, landing heavy strikes early on. However, Nguphane managed to regain control, utilizing takedowns and ground-and-pound techniques to sway the judges in his favor, earning a unanimous decision victory.

All-Nigerian Feature Bout: Ukah vs. Osigwe

In a feature catchweight bout, Juliet Ukah and Jane Osigwe engaged in a competitive all-Nigerian showdown. Ukah, known as “Golden Bones,” maintained control of the center of the cage, delivering effective counters throughout the fight. Her strategic approach and cleaner striking earned her a split decision victory, further solidifying her standing in the division.

Upcoming PFL Africa Event in Nigeria

In an exciting announcement, PFL Africa is set to expand into West Africa, with its next event scheduled for June 13, 2026, at the Eko Arena in Lagos, Nigeria. The card will feature rising star and reigning 2025 PFL Africa Featherweight Champion, Wasi Adeshina, who will compete in front of a home crowd for the first time under the PFL banner. He is set to face Spanish contender Ignacio Campos. Additionally, the event will include a lightweight co-main event featuring Nigerian standout Patrick Ocheme against Cameroonian fighter Octave Ayinda.

PFL Africa: Pretoria Results

• Nkosi Ndebele (12-3) defeated Michele Clemente (7-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Justin Clarke (5-1) defeated Abdoulaye Kane (5-2) via TKO (punches) in round 1 at 2:12
• Peace Nguphane (9-3) defeated Yabna N’Tchala (14-3-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Shido Boris Esperança (12-2) defeated Emilios Dassi (5-3) via TKO (elbows and punches) in round one at 3:17
• Rivaldo Pereira (4-2) defeated Kunle Lawal (3-2) via TKO (punch to body and elbows) in round one at 2:09
• Juliet Ukah (9-0) defeated Jane Osigwe (5-4) via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
• David Samuel (6-0) defeated Abdelrahman Mohammad (5-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:03 of round one
• Abdoul Razac Sankara (7-5) vs. Áureo Cruz (3-0) ends in a No Contest (accidental eye poke) at 0:18 into round 2
• Shadrack Dju Yemba (6-1) defeated Jean-Jacques Lubaya (9-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Asiashu Tshitamba (7-5) defeated Shannon van Tonder (7-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Felista-Mutheu Mugo (6-2-1) defeated Annet Kiiza (3-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Source: www.zawya.com

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Published on 2026-04-12 15:06:00 • By the Editorial Desk