Peace “X” Nguphane aims to mark his spot inside the PFL Africa Smart Cage on April 10 just like he did against compatriot Armando de Crescenzo at EFC 130. Picture: EFCWorldwide.
Image: EFCWorldwide.
Sometimes, the easiest way to recognise the hallmarks of a champion mindset — someone who backs themself — is in the manner in which they respond to a high-pressure situation, or in the thoughts that precede a momentous occasion.
And those sentiments seem to resonate with the characteristics of one Peace “X” Nguphane. The South African MMA star was recently unveiled as one of PFL Africa’s latest signings ahead of the franchise’s second season, starting on April 10, 2026, at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural campaign.
Not only will Nguphane (8–3) be making his debut in one of the most competitive weight divisions in the organisation, but he is also set to throw down in his first fight against the PFL Africa 2025 Tournament winner: Guinea-Bissau’s Yabna N’Tchalá (14–2–1).
"I can't wait for the 10th of April. PFL Africa, Pretoria, SunBet Arena. X-Man is going to mark his spot. Now, what does it mean for me to make my debut in the PFL? It means it's a dream come true, man. Being in the PFL, making my debut in Pretoria, close to home, is amazing,” says Ikageng’s Nguphane.
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.
Nguphane was drafted into the PFL Africa stable with his own “X” on his back — a wanted man whom his fellow competitors will be keeping a close eye on, considering the respectable career he has carved out thus far, with some high-level names on his scalp list.
A previously signed Extreme Fighting Championship athlete, the South African has faced tough opposition, including Bruno Mkulu, HP van Staden, Mark Hulme, and Jaco du Plessis. That road included a title shot against the highly experienced Hulme (13–4), whom Nguphane lost to via a rear-naked choke in the first round — a tough but invaluable learning curve for Nguphane, who was only six fights into his professional career at the time.
He took it on the chin and bounced back, racking up a four-fight winning streak that seemed certain to put him in line for another title shot before PFL Africa came calling with an opportunity of a lifetime.
"I've been preparing for this. I've been working out for this. I've been praying for this. It's just butterflies in my stomach, excitement. And I just can't wait. Words cannot explain how I feel. This whole thing is going to be an experience, man,” says Nguphane.
N’Tchalá silenced many fans and critics at last year’s final in Cotonou, Benin, when he overcame “The Machine,” Shido Boris Esperança.
N’Tchalá pushed the electric and dangerous Angolan, Shido Esperança (11–2), 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’Tchalá grounded.
In the third round, however, N’Tchalá rallied with heavy punches and elbows. He ended the round strongly with a takedown of his own, continuing to punish Esperança with 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 — a doff to N’Tchalá and his capabilities inside the PFL Africa SmartCage.
Nguphane has offered nothing short of praise and respect to N’Tchalá leading up to their duel inside the SunBet Arena, and understandably so, as the Bissau-Guinean is riding an undefeated streak since 2024, with his last three wins all recorded inside the PFL Africa SmartCage. He has a feel for this cage; he has extracted blood in this cage, and he has broken fighters’ wills in this cage.
However, just like N’Tchalá, Nguphane too is backing himself to showcase an upset of his own and prove to the PFL African fanbase that nobody — reputation or championship status — will grant you immunity when stepping inside the PFL Africa SmartCage.
"Yabna N’Tchalá. Man, so far, from what I've seen, the guy deserves to be where he is. I know it's definitely a step up from where I've been. I know Yabna is preparing very well. He's sharp, he's got great wrestling and great jiu-jitsu. He beat Shido and he made him quit, so you can't look past that. But like I said, an upset is coming. What an upset you guys are going to witness. What a way to start a career in the PFL against the 2025 champion — coming in there as an underdog, a huge underdog, and upsetting everybody.”
The PFL Africa welterweight division is nothing short of tantalising, with matchups including the DRC’s Eliezer Kubanza (8–1) vs Nigeria’s Kunle Lawal (3–1), David Samuel (5–0) vs Egypt’s Abdelrahman Mohammad (5–0), and Esperança (11–2) vs Emilios Dassi (5–2) set for Pretoria on April 10.
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’Tchalá, 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