On October 18, 2025, Kigali’s BK Arena hosted the PFL Africa 3 Semifinals, drawing over 4,000 spectators and marking a major milestone in Africa’s mixed martial arts scene. The event featured bouts across four divisions — heavyweight, welterweight, featherweight, and bantamweight — and showcased top African MMA talent in a professionally organized setting. Organizers hailed the event as “a celebration of skill, discipline, and African athletic excellence.”
The night kicked off with the bantamweight division, where Nkosi Ndebele of South Africa secured a split decision victory over Zimbabwe’s Simbarashe Hokonya, with judges’ scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 27-30. Fans cheered as Ndebele displayed tactical striking and agility, cementing his position as a rising star in African MMA.
In the welterweight division, Shido Boris Esperança from Angola delivered a first-round TKO against Cameroon’s Octave Ayinda at 3:46, thrilling the crowd with decisive strikes. Meanwhile, in the heavyweight division, Justin Clarke of South Africa defeated Cameroon’s Maxwell Djantou Nana via verbal submission in the third round at 3:09, showcasing endurance and strategic grappling.
The catchweight (157 lbs.) bout saw Patrick Ocheme from Nigeria edge out Abdul Razak Sankara of Burkina Faso with a split decision victory, further highlighting the competitive depth across African MMA fighters. One of the night’s most memorable moments was Abdoulaye Kane’s head-kick knockout in seconds, instantly earning acclaim and demonstrating the high-caliber finishes that define PFL Africa events.
Rwanda’s Growing Role as a Sports Destination
The choice of Kigali as host underscored Rwanda’s emergence as a key sports hub. Organizers and athletes alike praised the country’s national security and modern infrastructure, which made logistics, accommodation, and safety seamless. Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou remarked, “It was easier to bring the PFL Africa semi-finals to Rwanda because the country is safe and has world-class facilities.” The well-maintained BK Arena exemplified the nation’s commitment to hosting international-standard sporting events.
Elias Schulze, General Manager of PFL Africa, highlighted the collaboration with local authorities: “The support from Rwandan partners ensured a smooth, world-class experience for both fighters and fans. Kigali has proven itself as a professional and welcoming venue for MMA.” The smooth execution reflected both careful planning and Rwanda’s rising reputation for hosting continental and global events.
Looking Ahead: The Path to Finals
With the semifinals complete, the winners now advance to the PFL Africa Finals scheduled for December 20, 2025, in Benin, where the champions in each division will be crowned. The Kigali event served not only as an arena for thrilling competition but also as a platform for African MMA talent to gain visibility and attract international attention.
Overall, the PFL Africa 3 Semifinals highlighted Rwanda’s ascendance as a sports destination. Its safety, infrastructure, and organizational efficiency combined with electrifying fights made the event a resounding success. As organizers noted, Kigali is now positioned as a premier hub for continental and global sports, cementing its role in Africa’s growing athletic and entertainment landscape.
