The show marked the debut of PFL Africa, with the undercard dedicated to African talent and the main card doubling as PFL Champions Series 2.  That featured Eblen vs. van Steenis, two Bellator middleweight stars, plus Dakota Ditcheva, the PFL women’s flyweight champ (in a non-title fight), and ex-Bellator featherweight champ AJ McKee.

Where to Watch PFL Africa/PFL Champions Series 2

PFL Cape Town takes place on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, South Africa. The main card streams live on ESPN+, the PFL Africa portion on the PFL App. Full results can be found below.

PFL Cape Town: Eblen vs. van Steenis Results

PFL Champions Series 2 (Main card)

Middleweight: Costello van Steenis def. Johnny Eblen (c) by technical submission (rear-naked choke), Round 5, 4:51 – Middleweight title fight
Women’s Flyweight: Dakota Ditcheva def. Sumiko Inaba by unanimous decision
Featherweight: A. J. McKee def. Akhmed Magomedov by unanimous decision
Lightweight: Makkasharip Zaynukov def. Takeshi Izumi by unanimous decision
Heavyweight: Corey Anderson def. Denis Goltsov by TKO, Round 3, 3:28

2025 PFL Africa 1 (Preliminary card)

Bantamweight: Nkosi Ndebele def. Mahmoud Atef by TKO, Round 1, 4:50 – bantamweight tournament quarterfinal
Heavyweight: Maxwell Djantou Nana def. Mickaël Groguhe by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – heavyweight tournament quarterfinal
Bantamweight: Boule Godogo def. Shannon van Tonder by split decision (30-26, 28-29, 29-27) – bantamweight tournament quarterfinal
Heavyweight: Justin Clarke def. Jashell Ticha Awa by TKO (corner stoppage) Round 1, 5:00 – heavyweight tournament quarterfinal
Bantamweight: Karim Henniene def. Asiashu Tshitamba by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28) – bantamweight tournament quarterfinal
Heavyweight: Joffie Houlton def. Abdoullah Kane by DQ (illegal strikes), Round 1, 0:40 – heavyweight tournament quarterfinal
Bantamweight: Simbarashe Hokonya def. Frans Mlambo by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25) – bantamweight tournament quarterfinal
Heavyweight: Abraham Bably def. Paul-Emmanuel Gnaze by KO, Round 1, 4:59 – heavyweight tournament quarterfinal
Women’s Strawweight: Juliet Ukah def. Ceileigh Niedermayr by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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Locals gathered into a nearby gym eager to get a glimpse of the fighters who will be competing in the first major MMA event in the history of the continent.

If the energy from those in attendance at open workouts is any indicator, it will be a successful night for the PFL in Cape town, South Africa.

Niedermayr (3-2) is a native of South Africa and is getting ready compete in her home country. She will take on undefeated Nigerian prospect Juliet Ukah (6-0) who looks to make a statement in one of the first global shows for the PFL outside the United States and Europe.

The PFL has made it a point to be a “Global” promotion setting up feeder leagues like PFL Mena and PFL Europe which filter their top talent to the main roster of the company. The newest addition under this brand is PFL Africa, which will feature some of the top talent in the area on a stage South Africa has not seen before in MMA.

Chairman of PFL Africa, former Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, is seeing his vision for MMA expansion in Africa come to fruition with this card in two weeks.

In the main event of PFL Africa 1 Longtime Bellator Champion Johnny Eblen (16-0) faces fierce contender Costello Van Stennis (16-3). Also on the card, PFL staple Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) returns for a shootout with former Bellator fighter Sumiko Inaba (8-1).

Promising to be a star studded night in Capetown, South Africa fight fans can catch this historic event July 19th on the PFL App and streaming platforms worldwide.

The post PFL Africa 1 Generating Buzz in the Congo With Open Workouts appeared first on Cageside Press.

The date puts the event on the same day as UFC 318 which features Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier fighting for the BMF belt. Also taking place that night Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois will run it back for the heavyweight title.

Also taking place on July 19 will be the return of Manny Pacquiao as he challenges for Mario Barrios’s WBC welterweight title.

With so many combat sports events on the same date it’s puzzling as to why the promotion made the move. No reason has been given as of yet.

The PFL’s inaugural venture into Africa has been the focus of co-founder Donn Davis since they formed the league and named heavyweight Francis Ngannou as chairman. 32 fighters from 15 African nations will take part on the card.

The main event features Johnny Eblen defending his middleweight title against Costello Van Steenis. In the co-main event the PFL’s biggest star Dakota Ditcheva will face Sumiko Inaba in a flyweight bout.

 

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PFL Africa 1 will take place in Goodwood, Cape Town at the Grand Arena in GrandWest Casino And Entertainment World on July 19. It will be broadcast ESPN+ in the states.

The post PFL Africa 1 Event In Cape Town Rescheduled For July 19 appeared first on Cageside Press.