Back where it all feels like home — Asiashu Tshitamba steps into the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Menlyn Maine, determined to deliver another electrifying performance at PFL Africa on April 10, 2026. Photo: EFCWorldwide
Image: Supplied
Every motivational factor seems to be aligning perfectly for South Africa’s Asiashu Tshitamba, who says he is “so excited” to compete in his backyard at next month’s PFL Africa fight card.
On 10 April, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) will launch their 2026 campaign at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria. The event is set to build on last year’s inaugural season, which marked the debut of the promotion’s African franchise. For the athletes involved, the stakes are life-changing.
Tshitamba (6–5) returns to familiar territory, having previously fought at the venue three times under the EFC banner. This time, he faces fellow South African Shannon van Tonder (7-3) in a PFL Africa Bantamweight Showcase bout.
“I am so motivated for this fight card,” Tshitamba says.
The fightcard for PFL Africa in Pretoria.
Image: Supplied
Recent years, however, have not gone entirely to plan for the dynamic striker. He has struggled to build momentum, with his last notable run coming in 2018-19, when he put together a four-fight win streak that included three stoppages and a dominant unanimous decision victory.
After being drafted into PFL Africa last year, Tshitamba had an opportunity to showcase his abilities on a bigger stage. Unfortunately, he suffered a narrow split-decision loss to Karim Henniene in Cape Town.
Eager to bounce back, he was scheduled to face Russia’s Biyarslan Aybulatov at EFC 126 shortly afterward, but the bout fell through for reasons that remain unclear. While 2025 proved to be a frustrating year, Tshitamba now has a chance to reset — and to do so in front of a home crowd.
“I’m so excited to be fighting at the SunBet Arena," Tshitamba said. This is my hometown.
"I moved here when I was four-years old, and I grew up here. My friends, my family, my colleagues — they’re all here. I actually work across the street from the arena.
"Lots of my people are going to be there on the night, and I can’t wait to fight in front of my home crowd. That’s extra motivation for me. I really can’t wait.”
Despite the emotional significance of the occasion, Tshitamba remains clear-eyed about the challenge ahead.
“I’m expecting a well-prepared Shannon van Tonder. He’s a great athlete, and his record speaks for itself — seven wins, most of them by submission. He has a high fight IQ and will definitely do his homework.”
Van Tonder is widely known for his grappling prowess and entered the PFL Africa draft as a highly regarded prospect. After a strong amateur career and a solid support team behind him, he made an impressive start to his professional journey, winning his first four fights — all by stoppage, often against more experienced opponents.
However, consistency has eluded him in recent outings. Following a tough three-round battle with Musa Sethwape, Van Tonder has alternated between wins and losses. In his most recent bout — his PFL Africa debut — he missed weight against Boule Godogo and went on to lose a split decision in Cape Town. That setback may make him just as determined to prove himself this time around.
Asiashu Tshitamba in action. Photo: EFCWorldwide
Image: Supplied
“I know he’s going to bring the fight to me, and I’ll be ready to respond,” Tshitamba says.
“We’re expecting him to grapple, but this is MMA — anything can happen. You prepare for one thing, and then your opponent brings something completely different. So we’re working on everything: striking, footwork, grappling — 4every aspect of the game.”
Tshitamba is also drawing on past experiences to fuel his preparation.
“I’m coming off a loss, and I’ve been on a losing streak before. It’s a terrible place to be. I don’t want to go back there, so I’m preparing extremely hard — putting in extra hours, training on my own as well as with the team. I’m really motivated for this fight.”
Since making his EFC debut in June 2018, Tshitamba has shown flashes of brilliance, including a spectacular teep kick knockout of Billy Oosthuizen at EFC 81 in August 2019. That highlight-reel finish remains one of the most memorable moments of his career. However, inconsistency followed, with a three-fight losing streak and a mixed run of results thereafter.
“I don’t want to find myself in that situation again,” he says. “It’s going to be a great night of fights, and we’ll be ready.”
The event’s main card will feature the return of inaugural PFL Africa 2025 Bantamweight Tournament champion Nkosi Ndebele (11–3), who faces Italy’s Michele Clemente (7–1), an Oktagon MMA standout riding a five-fight win streak. In the co-main event, South Africa’s Justin Clarke (4–1) takes on Senegal’s Abdoullah Kane (5–1) in a heavyweight clash.