Five Cameroonians are amongst the 22 fighters that will engage in 11 fights in Kigali, Rwanda for the PLF Africa semifinals fixtures. The PFL Africa semifinals card features 11 fights with five Cameroonians among the 22 fighters. Besides Maxwell Nana, Octave Ayinda and Emilios Dassi who are competing in the tournament bouts, Alain Majorique and Emmanuel Mukam; another product of the Francis Ngannou Foundation are also part of the card.
Winners of the tournament will advance to the finals in Benin where first-ever PFL Africa Champions in Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, and Bantamweight divisions will be crowned in December.
PFL Africa Chairman, Francis Ngannou has confirmed his presence in Kigali for the event which marks the biggest MMA competition ever to take place in East Africa, underscoring Rwanda’s growing reputation as a premier destination for world-class sports and entertainment.
It is worthy to recall that the Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a global powerhouse in MMA and the fastest-growing sports league world-wide. PFL is the only MMA organization with the “win and advance” tournament format. PFL has three fight products: PFL World Tournament, PFL Champions Series, and PFL International Leagues. PFL is broadcast and streamed live to 190 countries with 20 leading media partners. PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors including SURJ, Ares, 885 Capital, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners. MMA is the growth and global sport business of this decade, with 650 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demographic, and true global revenue streams. . Prior to the fights scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, the fighters faced the press to express their feelings
Maxwell Nana Djantou
It is very amazing to have this competition in Rwanda, a very nice country in which I feel like I was in my own country.
My last fight in Cape Town, South Africa added one experience to my career. I didn’t finish the fight by knockout like usually, but it is a victory. It about victory first, but when it comes by knockout, that is something more – it is a plus. I think I was gentle during the fight, but I can assure you that during my training camp for Saturday’s fight I have worked on certain things and you will see during the fight.
Cameroon is the powerhouse of MMA in Africa. We have the big guys in the sport like Francis Ngannou and myself of course.
I have a lot of respect for Justin Clarke [his opponent on Saturday], he is a very good fighter. But that was before me. Saturday is just in two days.
I will not only demonstrate that Africa is endowed with enormous MMA talents, which I am part, but also that Rwanda has the capacity to host a major international competition like the PFL Africa.
