With nine stoppages to his name, Angola’s Shido Esperança thrives under the bright lights. The explosive finisher returns to the PFL Africa stage determined to redeem himself when he faces Cameroon’s Emilios Dassi, who fell short in last year’s semi-final against eventual champion Yabna N’Tchala.
Image: PFL Africa
PFL Africa’s welterweight division promises to be one of the most action-packed weight classes this season as the promotion continues revealing its full roster ahead of next month’s major Fight Night in Pretoria.
On April 10, 2026, PFL Africa: Season Two kicks off at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural campaign.
Now entering its second season since launching the continental franchise in 2025, PFL Africa continues to recruit high-value, entertainment-driven professionals capable of capturing the crowd’s attention with show-stopping performances.
The PFL Africa welterweight division is nothing short of tantalising, with names such as the DRC’s Eliezer Kubanza (8–1), Nigeria’s Kunle Lawal (3–1), David Samuel (5–0), Egypt’s Abdelrahman Mohammad (5–0), and South Africa’s Peace Nguphane (8–3, 1 NC) among those in the mix.
This week, the organisation confirmed its latest re-signings, with 2025 standouts Shido Esperança (11–2) and Emilios Dassi (5–2) set to face one another after both came short last year.
The electric Angolan Esperança was tipped by many fans to win the inaugural PFL Africa welterweight tournament final. However, he found himself on the wrong side of a result when he was defeated by Guinea-Bissau’s Yabna N’Tchala (14–2–1) on that historic night.
N’Tchala pushed Esperança to the limit, ultimately winning by TKO to claim the inaugural PFL Africa Welterweight Tournament Championship. Esperança started strongly in the opening two rounds, using his elite grappling to control the action and keep N’Tchala grounded.
In the third round, however, N’Tchala rallied with heavy punches and elbows. He ended the round strongly with a takedown of his own, continuing to punish Esperança with punishing ground strikes. Exhausted, Esperança was unable to leave his stool before the start of the fourth round, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Prior to that defeat, “The Machine” had been nothing short of ruthless, compiling a five-fight winning streak against some of Africa’s top combat sports talents while competing in world-renowned promotions such as UAE Warriors and the Professional Fighters League 2024 Playoffs.
With nine stoppage victories to his name, Esperança thrives under the bright lights. He will now be eager to redeem himself in front of the PFL Africa fan base when he faces Cameroon’s Dassi, who fell short in last year’s semi-final after losing to Esperança’s eventual final opponent, N’Tchala, via unanimous decision.
When it comes to Dassi, the old proverb rings true: the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Representing the Francis Ngannou Foundation, Dassi has earned the nickname Le Fils du Prédateur (“The Predator’s Son”), highlighting the similarities between him and Cameroonian combat sports superstar Francis “The Predator” Ngannou.
PFL Africa fight card
Image: PFL Africa
With all five of his victories coming by stoppage, Dassi possesses the same frightening knockout power and killer instinct as his compatriot. He will be aiming to blow the roof off the SunBet Arena and etch his name into the annals of MMA history — just like Ngannou.
South Africa’s popular MMA star Peace Nguphane will also be making his PFL Africa debut. It will be a notable introduction, as he faces reigning champion N’Tchala.
While N’Tchala is highly respected — and deservedly so — Nguphane has carved out a gritty path of his own. The South African has faced tough opposition in EFC, including Bruno Mkulu, HP van Staden, Mark Hulme, and Jaco du Plessis. That experience, which includes competing for a championship, should serve him well when the composure gained from his 11-fight career is tested.
Headlining the Pretoria card is South Africa’s Nkosi Ndebele (11–3), who faces Italy’s Michele Clemente (7–1). Clemente, an Oktagon MMA standout riding a five-fight winning streak, will be making his PFL Africa debut.
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.
The opening bout on the Pretoria card will see Uganda’s Annet “Rose” Kiiza (3–1) take on Kenya’s Felista “The Young Queen” Mugo (5–2–1) in a women’s strawweight showcase contest.
Another intriguing matchup will feature Jane “The Slayer” Osigwe (5–3) squaring off against fellow Nigerian Juliet “Golden Bones” Ukah (8–0) in another women’s strawweight showcase bout.
The Democratic Republic of Congo will witness a clash of countrymen in a high-stakes featherweight encounter as Jean-Jacques “Ziwi” Lubaya (9–2) faces Shadrack “Baba Yaga” Dju Yemba (5–1).
South Africa’s Asiashu Tshitamba (6–5) meets Shannon van Tonder (7–3) in a bantamweight showcase bout.
Also on the preliminary card, Burkina Faso’s Abdoul Razac Sankara (7–5) faces Angola’s Áureo Cruz (3–0) in a lightweight showcase matchup.
The welterweight first-round action will see two undefeated athletes collide as David Samuel faces Egypt’s Abdelrahman Mohammad, while Eliezer Kubanza takes on Kunle Lawal.
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