South Africa will enter the international MMA spotlight this July as Cape Town prepares to host the continent’s first major global mixed martial arts event.
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), one of the world’s leading MMA organisations, will launch its inaugural PFL Africa 1 event at GrandWest Arena on Saturday, 19 July 2025.
PFL Africa 1 Tickets and Local Representation
Tickets for the historic event are already available. This event gives fans across the country a rare opportunity to support elite South African athletes competing in front of a global audience. Get your tickets HERE.
Four of the South Africa’s top MMA fighters will take centre stage:
1. Nkosi “King” Ndebele (8-3) headlines the card in a Bantamweight semifinal bout against Egypt’s Mahmoud Atef (5-2). Known for his explosive striking, Ndebele hopes to become the face of African MMA through PFL’s signature “win-and-advance” format.
2. Shannon van Tonder (7-2) will take on undefeated Cameroonian Boule Godogo (3-0) in another key Bantamweight clash.
3. Justin Clarke (2-0) faces Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1) in a Heavyweight bout.
4. Juliet Ukah (6-0), an undefeated Nigerian-born fighter based in South Africa, enters a Women’s Strawweight Showcase Bout. Her opponent will be announced soon.
A Continental Tournament Begins
Athletes from 15 African nations will compete across the Bantamweight and Heavyweight divisions, marking the beginning of the tournament. This multi-event series will ultimately crown the first PFL champions on African soil.
The event represents a major milestone: it’s the first time a globally recognised MMA league will host an event on the continent. By giving local fighters access to a world-class platform without leaving their home countries, the PFL aims to reshape the future of African MMA.
International Stars Join the Action at PFL Africa 1
The event also features elite fighters from the global PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai card, bringing added international star power:
1. Johnny “Pressure” Eblen (16-0) will defend his Middleweight World Championship against Spain’s Costello van Steenis (16-3).
2. Dakota “Dangerous” Ditcheva (14-0), one of the top female fighters in the world, faces Hawaii’s Sumiko Inaba (8-1) in a Women’s Flyweight co-main event.
PFL Africa 1 is set to deliver a mix of local pride and global talent, showcasing the next generation of MMA greatness and giving fans across Africa a front-row seat.
Watch this space for updates in the Events category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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