Will a stronger Abdoul Razac Sankara (Burkina Faso) step into the PFL Africa SmartCage on April 10? After experiencing difficulties at featherweight, he will now compete in a lightweight showcase bout against Angola’s Áureo Cruz (3–0).
Image: PFL Africa
PFL Africa’s first event of the year is steadily taking shape after the organisation confirmed its sixth bout for Pretoria next month.
On April 10, 2026, the Professional Fighters League Africa launches its new season at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural campaign.
Several compelling match-ups have already been confirmed, including last year’s bantamweight champion, South Africa’s Nkosi Ndebele (11–3), who headlines the card alongside Italy’s Michele Clemente (7–1). Clemente, an Oktagon MMA standout riding a five-fight winning streak, will be making his PFL Africa debut.
The latest addition to the prelims sees Burkina Faso’s Abdoul Razac Sankara (7–5) face Angola’s Áureo Cruz (3–0) in a lightweight showcase bout.
According to PFL Africa, Sankara is related to the late Thomas Sankara — the world-renowned revolutionary, military officer and former Prime Minister of Burkina Faso who was assassinated in 1987.
Sankara carries that same fighting spirit, though his battlefield lies in the cage. A world-class striker with a background in Muay Thai, he uses his imposing reach and sharp stand-up to systematically break down opponents.
He first caught attention in the PFL Africa featherweight division last year when he starched the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Shadrack Dju Yemba at the promotion’s second 2025 event in Johannesburg.
However, the bout also hinted at the difficulties he faced cutting to featherweight. Sankara appeared drained on fight night, and the weight issues became undeniable two months later ahead of his clash with Nigeria’s Patrick Ocheme.
Burkina Faso’s Abdoul Razac Sankara (7–5) made a strong statement in his PFL Africa debut when he knocked out the DRC’s Shadrack Dju Yemba in the featherweight division.
Image: PFL Africa
Both fighters missed weight badly in what turned into a chaotic weigh-in situation. The scheduled semi-final was ultimately scrapped and reclassified as a showcase bout, leaving both men ineligible for the tournament.
Sankara would go on to lose a competitive catchweight contest to Ocheme via split decision.
Now the Burkinabé striker moves up to the lightweight division — a shift that could unlock his full potential. Fighting at 155 pounds should allow the 6’2” athlete to enter the SmartCage stronger and healthier.
Before the Ocheme setback, Sankara had built solid momentum with a three-fight winning streak, stopping all three opponents inside the first two rounds.
Standing opposite him will be the less experienced but dangerous Cruz, who arrives unbeaten with three victories across EFC, Versus Fight Night and Benin FC.
True to the Angolan MMA blueprint, Cruz brings a heavy grappling approach backed by strong wrestling. His style revolves around dragging opponents into deep waters — a trait that grappling purists relish.
Whether the striker finds space to unleash his arsenal or the grappler manages to suffocate the fight will only be answered once the cage door closes.
The opening bout on the Pretoria card will feature Uganda’s Annet “Rose” Kiiza (3–1) taking on Kenya’s Felista “The Young Queen” Mugo (5–2–1) in a women’s strawweight showcase contest.
Another intriguing matchup sees Jane “The Slayer” Osigwe (5–3) square off against fellow Nigerian Juliet “Golden Bones” Ukah (8–0) in a women’s strawweight showcase bout.
Two countrymen will also collide in a high-stakes clash as Jean-Jacques “Ziwi” Lubaya (9–2) meets Shadrack “Baba Yaga” Dju Yemba (5–1). The contest marks the fifth officially announced fight for the PFL Africa Season 2 card in Pretoria.
Rounding out the action, South Africa’s Asiashu Tshitamba (6–5) faces Shannon van Tonder (7–3) in a bantamweight showcase matchup as part of the event’s 10-fight lineup.
Heavyweight action will also feature prominently, with South Africa’s Justin Clarke (4–1) set to meet Senegal’s Abdoullah Kane (5–1) in the co-main event.
In late January, PFL Africa confirmed its return to South Africa following a successful inaugural season that included events in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kigali (Rwanda) and the finals in Cotonou (Benin).
The Professional Fighters League has established itself as one of the world’s leading MMA organisations alongside the UFC and became the first major global promotion to launch a structured league in Africa as part of its international expansion strategy. That expansion also includes PFL Europe, PFL MENA and PFL Pacific.
Africa continues to emerge as one of the fastest-growing regions in global MMA, producing elite fighters such as Bokang Masunyane, Demarte Pena, Dricus du Plessis, Don Madge, Francis Ngannou, Themba Gorimbo, Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman — all of whom have excelled on the international stage.
With the launch of its African league, the organisation aims to develop homegrown talent by creating pathways for African fighters to compete globally and pursue championship success. Equally important is bringing world-class events to African fans — a passionate and rapidly expanding audience.
In 2025, PFL Africa crowned its first champions: Nkosi Ndebele, Yabna N’Tchala, Abraham Bably and Wasi Adeshina, each earning $100,000 in prize money.
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, while fans can follow the PFL Africa and MzansiMMA social media platforms for further announcements.
IOL Sport
Will a stronger Abdoul Razac Sankara (Burkina Faso) step into the PFL Africa SmartCage on April 10? After experiencing difficulties at featherweight, he will now compete in a lightweight showcase bout against Angola’s Áureo Cruz (3–0).
Image: PFL Africa