PFL made history on Saturday, July 19th, hosting its first event in Cape Town, South Africa.
Emitted from Grand West Arina, the professional Fighters League delivered another stacked main card featuring the return of undefeated British Sensory Dakota Diccheva, middleweight champion Johnny Eblenne and former Bellator featherweight AJ Mackey.
But before they reach the star-studded section of their first night in Africa, those who watch the fans in Cape Town and the world witness the opening round of the PFL African bantamweight and heavyweight tournaments.
First Round Heavyweight Tournament Match: Abraham Bubble vs. Paul Emmanuel Gunners
Beater started off with a fuss at PFL Africa 1 on Saturday and scored a sensational opening round knockout against Paul Emmanuel Gunazé, with only one second left in the stanza. It was Bable’s third victory under the PFL banner, snapping a two-game losing skid, improving his overall record to 6-2.
Official Results: Abraham Bablay def. Paul Emmanuel Gunazé via KO (strike) at 4:59 in Round 1.
1st Round Baptey Tournament Tournament Match: Relief Hook vs. Franm Rambo
In the evening’s first bantamweight tournament match, Zimbabwean native Sinbarashe Hokonya gave a dominant performance against Franz Mulambo, moving his invincible record to 6-0 and punching his ticket to the semi-finals of the 135 pound tournament.
Official Results: A powerful Ikanya def. Fran Mlambo via Envimate Decision or 30-26, 30-25)
First round heavyweight tournament match: Abdullah Kane vs. Joffie Holton
Kane came out heavily shaking from the go-go, appearing to clip Holton with his huge right hand that rounded towards the wall of the cage. Inexplicably, Kane ran in and threw a blatantly illegal knee to Holton’s head. It prompted a pause immediately as Halton.
Houlton was allowed to recover, but instant replay revealed that Kane had plunged Houlton into his eyes before his illegal knee. As a result, the fight was cancelled in just 40 seconds, and Kane was disqualified. Holton will advance to face Abraham Van in the heavyweight tournament semi-finals later this year.
Official Results:Joffie Houlton def. At 0:40 in Round 1, Abdracaine was disqualified (illegal knee).
First round bantamweight tournament match: asiashu tshitamba vs. Karim Henniene
In his second bantamweight quarterfinal match, Canada and Algerian standout Karim Henyene won the split decision victory over his hometown favourite Asiasz Zithamba. One judge saw the fight in favor of Tshitamba, while the other two gave Henniene the victory after a close fight of 15 minutes.
Henniene will travel to face Simbarashe Hokonya in the semi-final round of the tournament.
Official Results: Karim Hennine def. Asishu Tshitamba by Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29).
First round heavyweight tournament match: Jasheltichawah vs Justin Clark
AWA came out and clipped Clark early before ragdolling him around the smart cage. It seemed the Cameroonians were heading for a decisive victory. However, the AWA shocked everyone when they retired with a stool shortly after the end of the opening round. The AWA appears to have suffered an injury to his eye and urges the Cageside doctor to encourage him to bow from the match.
As a result, Clarke won in the first round of TKO. Clarke has moved to the semi-final round of the heavyweight tournament.
Official Results: Justin Clark Deff. Jashell Ticha AWA via TKO (Doctor Stop) at 5:00am in Round 1.
First round Bantamweight tournament match: Shannon Bantonder vs. Bourggodogo
In the third Bantamweight Tournament quarter-final match, it brought another razor closed decision, with Godgo winning 10-8 on two scorecards. Godgo will move to 4-0 in his mixed martial arts career and face the winner of Nkosi Ndebele vs. Mahmoud Atef in the semi-finals.
Official Results:Boile def def. Vannon Vann Tonnder (29-27, 28-29, 29-27) by decision.
First round heavyweight tournament match: Maxwell Djantou Nana vs. Mickaël Groguhe
After exhausting Grouguhe in the opening round, Djantou Nana has full control of the heavyweight tournament tilt, landing over 100 total strikes, controlling the smart cage on the way to a decisive decision victory. Djantou Nana moves ahead and faces Justin Clarke in the semi-finals.
Official Results: Maxwell Djantou Nana def. Mickaël Groguhe will be Groguhe via unanimous decision (no scorecards given).
First round bantamweight tournament match: nkosi ndebele vs. mahmoud atef
Nkosi Ndebele closed the tournament action in Cape Town with a highlight reel finish and poured it out, earning a TKO stop against Mahmoud Atef in just 10 seconds in the opening round. Ndebele advances to the bantamweight semi-finals, where he meets Bourg Godogo.
Official Results: nkosi ndebele def. Mahmoud Atef via TKO (Ground and Pound) at 4:50 in Round 1.