PFL Africa Blazes Into Cape Town: History-Making Comebacks, Global Stars and South African Contenders Rise

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) made a thunderous debut on African soil this weekend, launching its inaugural PFL Africa season at the iconic Grand Arena in GrandWest, Cape Town.

The night delivered everything fight fans hoped for: upsets, history-making finishes, and a powerful statement that Africa is ready to host world-class MMA.

Van Steenis Stuns the World With Last-Second Submission

In a main event that will be remembered for years, Costello “The Spaniard” Van Steenis (17-3) delivered one of the biggest comeback victories in MMA history.

After being outclassed for four-and-a-half rounds by reigning PFL Middleweight World Champion Johnny “Pressure” Eblen (16-1), Van Steenis shocked the world by locking in a rear-naked choke in the final seconds of the fifth round, rendering the previously unbeaten Eblen unconscious.

The win crowns Van Steenis the new PFL Middleweight World Champion and cements his place in MMA folklore.

Dakota Ditcheva Dominates to Stay Undefeated

In the co-main event, UK striking phenom Dakota “Dangerous” Ditcheva (15-0) put on a Muay Thai clinic against American contender Sumiko “Lady Samurai” Inaba (8-2).

The undefeated flyweight champion peppered her opponent with pinpoint punches, knees, and elbows en route to a dominant unanimous decision. Ditcheva’s crisp technique and relentless pace proved too much for the ever-tough Inaba, extending her perfect professional record.

AJ McKee and Corey Anderson Shine in Global Showcases

AJ “Mercenary” McKee (23-2) made a statement in his featherweight return, outclassing Russian standout Akhmed Magomedov (11-2) across three rounds.

Meanwhile, reigning Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Corey “Overtime” Anderson (19-6, 1 NC) returned to the heavyweight ranks in style, stopping 2024 PFL Heavyweight Champion Denis “The Russian Bogatyr” Goltsov (36-9) with a brutal second-round TKO.

Zaynukov Grapples His Way to Victory

Russian grappler Artur Zaynukov (16-4), representing the famed Eagles MMA camp, extended his win streak to six with a wrestling-heavy unanimous decision over Japan’s Takeshi Izumi (6-4).

Zaynukov’s dominance on the ground showcased the Dagestani formula that has produced champions like Khabib and Islam Makhachev.

Road to Dubai: Semifinals Locked In

Following the action in Cape Town, the tournament brackets for the Bantamweight and Heavyweight Divisions were confirmed:

Bantamweight Semifinals

• Nkosi Ndebele (9-3) vs Simbarashe Hokonya (6-0)
• Boule Godogo (4-0) vs Karim Henniene (5-0)

Heavyweight Semifinals

• Maxwell Djantou Nana (7-1) vs Justin Clarke (3-0)
• Joffie Houlton (8-4) vs Abraham Bably (6-2)

Next Stop: Johannesburg

The inaugural PFL Africa season continues on 9 August 2025, at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena in Johannesburg, where featherweight and welterweight fighters will battle for a spot in the finals.

The event will be streamed live via the PFL App in the United States, with African broadcast partners to be announced soon.

InboundSA