Shadrack “Baba Yaga” Dju Yemba (left) will be looking to secure his first victory in PFL Africa on April 10 after losing to Abdul Razac Sankara last year.
Image: PFLAfrica
Two countrymen will clash in a high-stakes showdown as Jean-Jacques “Ziwi” Lubaya (9–2) faces Shadrack “Baba Yaga” Dju Yemba (5–1) in what has been confirmed as the fifth officially announced fight for the PFL Africa Season 2 card in Pretoria.
The featherweight showcase contest carries more than just divisional and future implications — it is a battle for national pride, as the two Congolese fighters compete to establish who truly stands as the Democratic Republic of Congo’s top MMA talent.
On April 10, 2026, the Professional Fighters League will kickstart its 2026 campaign at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, in what promises to build on last year’s inaugural season, which saw the brand roll out its African franchise.
Lubaya enters the bout as the more experienced athlete. The Lubumbashi native holds a professional MMA record of 9–2, with victories coming via a mix of knockouts, submissions, and decisions, showcasing his well-rounded skill set inside the cage. Four of his wins have come via knockout or TKO, while he has also demonstrated grappling ability with submission victories.
Lubaya now finds himself in a difficult stretch of his career, having suffered consecutive defeats — including a submission loss at PFL Africa in 2025.
For Lubaya, this fight represents a pivotal moment: a chance to halt his slide and prove he still belongs among Africa’s elite featherweights.
Across the cage stands a very different story.
Shadrack “Baba Yaga” Dju Yemba arrives as the hungry rising star. Fighting out of Gauteng, South Africa, the Congolese-born athlete has built a reputation for explosive finishing ability, with four of his five wins coming by stoppage — evenly split between knockouts and submissions.
After suffering his first professional loss in PFL competition, Yemba rebounded strongly with a decision victory in EFC, reinforcing his status as one of the region’s most promising prospects.
The main event will see the return of the inaugural PFL Africa 2025 Bantamweight Tournament winner, Nkosi Ndebele (11–3), who will take on Italy’s Michele Clemente (7–1), an Oktagon MMA standout currently riding a five-fight win streak as he enters his first PFL Africa event.
South Africa’s heavyweight star Justin Clarke (4–1) will face Senegal’s Abdoullah Kane (5–1) in the co-main event of PFL Africa Season 2 in the country’s administrative capital.
The opening fight on the Pretoria card will see Uganda’s Annet “Rose” Kiiza (3–1) face Kenya’s Felista “The Young Queen” Mugo (5–2–1) in a women’s strawweight showcase bout set to kick off a jam-packed fight card.
Forming part of an action-packed 10-fight card, South Africa’s Asiashu Tshitamba (6–5) and Shannon van Tonder (7–3) will step into the PFL Africa SmartCage for an exciting bantamweight showcase matchup.
In another anticipated contest, Jane “The Slayer” Osigwe (5–3) has been booked to face fellow PFL Africa athlete and compatriot Juliet “Golden Bones” Ukah (8–0) in a women’s strawweight showcase bout.
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, and fans can stay tuned to the PFL Africa and MzansiMMA social media pages for more updates.
IOL Sport