Pretoria’s Elbert “Pikachu” Steyn Gears Up to Make MMA History as PFL Africa Hits Johannesburg

As PFL Africa, the world’s fastest-growing MMA tournament, arrives in Johannesburg for its second-ever event, all eyes are on local favourite Elbert “Pikachu” Steyn, who is set to make history in front of a sold-out home crowd this Saturday, 9 August, at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena in Brakpan.

Fresh off a dominant 3–0 start to his professional career, the 25-year-old Pretoria native enters the PFL SmartCage for a high-stakes featherweight clash against Morocco’s Abderrahman Errachidy.

With a spot in the PFL Africa semi-finals on the line, Steyn remains the only South African fighter featured on a card stacked with elite talent.

“The Pressure Drives Me,” Says Steyn

Speaking at the official PFL Africa: Johannesburg Media Day hosted at Emperors Palace, Steyn reflected on the magnitude of the opportunity:

“PFL Africa is a history-making event, and everyone there on Saturday will be part of that moment. I’ve got a lot of supporters behind me, and that pressure drives me. It shapes me, motivates me — and I love it.”

The event follows July’s sold-out debut in Cape Town, with 32 fighters from 15 African nations now competing across four divisions as PFL Africa marches toward crowning its first-ever champions.

A Continental Platform for African Talent

The evening’s main event will feature Nigeria’s Patrick Ocheme taking on Guinea’s Mohamed Camara in a welterweight bout. Ocheme stressed the importance of PFL Africa as a platform for homegrown talent:

“There are so many fighters who’ve been training in the shadows, just waiting for their chance. PFL Africa gives us that global platform to shine.”

Steyn echoed that sentiment, calling the event “a dream come true.”

“I always believed I’d fight on the big stage — but to do it at home, in South Africa, in the PFL? That’s something I never saw coming. It’s surreal.”

Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday, 9 August 2025
📍 Venue: Big Top Arena, Carnival City, Brakpan
🎟 Tickets: Available now via TicketPro — Book here
📺 Broadcast: Live coverage available across official PFL Africa channels