By Levy Masiteng
PFL Africa will kick off its second season in April at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, the Professional Fighters League said this week.
South African bantamweight champion Nkosi “King” Ndebele will headline against Italy’s Michele “The Arrow” Clemente.
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Ndebele (11-3) is returning after a flawless run and a knockout win over Boule Godogo in last year’s finals, which made him the inaugural PFL Africa Bantamweight Champion.
The 5’10” bantamweight, who has a 75.5-inch reach, has built a reputation for an aggressive pace and a well-rounded game, with wins by both knockout and submission across multiple promotions.
Fighting at home in Pretoria, Ndebele will look to extend his dominance and strengthen his standing among Africa’s emerging MMA talents.
Clemente (7-1) arrives as a technically polished striker and grappler whose only professional defeat came via rear-naked choke in 2019.
The 25-year-old has won four straight fights since 2022, including a submission victory over Aleksandar Coti in June 2024, setting up what the PFL expects to be a competitive, high-tempo contest.
The co-main event features another South African, Justin Clarke (4-1), against Senegal’s Abdoulaye Kane (5-1) in a heavyweight clash that the league is pitching as a potential stoppage fight. Clarke will be aiming to rebound after falling short in the PFL Africa Heavyweight Final, while Kane enters looking to stretch his knockout run.
PFL Africa General Manager Elias Schulze said the league was designed to be bigger than a fight series.
“PFL Africa reflects the ambition, energy, and identity of the continent. It’s more than MMA — it’s a fast-rising cultural platform built around Africa’s elite athletes, delivering world-class entertainment that extends far beyond the cage. As we grow, we’re uniting sport, culture, and fans across the continent,” he said.
Tope Lawani, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Helios Investment Partners, said the first season validated the league’s bet on African talent.
“The success of the inaugural season confirmed what we believed from day one, that Africa is a powerhouse for mixed martial arts. This year, we look forward to supporting PFL Africa in building on the momentum, investing further in the athletes, and continuing to build a long-term platform that elevates African talent to the world.”
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Founded in the United States, the Professional Fighters League is one of the world’s leading MMA organisations. It broadcasts live events to fans in more than 170 countries through international media partners.
Tickets for the Pretoria opener will go on sale exclusively via Ticketmaster from Thursday at 9am South African time.
Additional fights for the Season 2 first-round card will be announced in the coming weeks.
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