Latest news with #ChampionsSeries
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Eblen vs. van Steenis winner will leave PFL Africa with upgraded middleweight belt
The PFL main event winner at Saturday might want to take his new belt home as a carryon and not in his checked luggage. The extra weight might incur an extra charge. Johnny Eblen (16-0) will go into his middleweight title fight against Costello van Steenis (16-3) as, technically, the Bellator 185-pound champion. If he wins at PFL Champions Series: Africa in Cape Town, the belt he'll leave with is the PFL middleweight title. And that piece of hardware has been revealed. PFL's description of it: "a 12-pound masterpiece crafted from aircraft-grade metals, plated in 24-karat gold and mirror-polished nickel, adorned with 175 sparkling stones." Eblen said in a statement released by the promotion that he preferred the new belt to the one he has currently, which migrated over from Bellator after the PFL bought the promotion and dissolved it. Eblen beat Gegard Mousasi three years ago to win Bellator's middleweight title and defended it twice before the PFL merger. Since then, he beat Impa Kasanganay in a Bellator vs. PFL champ-vs.-champ matchup and defended the belt again, but under the PFL banner, against Fabian Edwards. Fan favorite van Steenis has won four of his past five, but most recently his Von Flue choke win over Gregory Babene 14 months ago and a highlight-reel head kick KO in a featured bout at the PFL 2024 championships caught enough attention to warrant a title shot. "This looks good on me because I'm a real champion. This is coming home with me. I'm going to give my life for this one," van Steenis said in a statement about the new belt. For the first time, the PFL has set up shop in Africa for a Champions Series event at the southern tip of the continent in Cape Town, South Africa. It will mark the first major MMA event on the continent. PFL Champions Series: Africa takes place at GrandWest Arena in Cape Town. The card streams on ESPN+ at 5 p.m.
Time Out
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Time Out
Get ready Cape Town! Africa's first-ever global MMA event is coming
Cape Town is set to host the first-ever global MMA event on African soil as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) lands at the Grand Arena, GrandWest this July. If you're into high-stakes sport, bone-rattling takedowns, or simply being part of a seismic moment in African sports history, this one's for you. The night marks the official launch of PFL Africa, a new tournament series spotlighting rising African talent, with first-round heavyweight and bantamweight clashes. Then the energy turns up several notches with the PFL Champions Series, headlined by a serious lineup of elite fighting talent. Who will you see in the cage? Topping the card is undefeated middleweight champ Johnny 'Pressure' Eblen, defending his title against Spain's Costello 'The Spaniard' van Steenis. You'll also catch former Bellator featherweight king AJ 'Mercenary' McKee facing off with Russia's Akhmed Magomedov, and fan favourite Corey Anderson moving up in weight to challenge 2024 heavyweight champ Denis Goltsov. On the women's side, undefeated flyweight phenom Dakota Ditcheva will meet Hawaii's Sumiko 'Lady Samurai' Inaba in what promises to be a fiery co-main event. Where: Grand Arena, GrandWest When: Saturday, 19 July Start time: 4.30 pm (PFL Africa) | 8.30 pm (Champions Series) Tickets: via Ticketpro
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
PFL announces title eliminator for Usman Nurmagomedov; Paul Hughes calls out 'rage bait'
PFL will determine the next title challenger for lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov this month, much to the dismay of Paul Hughes. The promotion announced on Friday that a lightweight title eliminator between Mansour Barnaouri and Archie Colgan has been added to its 2025 PFL World Tournament 6 event on June 20, which takes place at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan. (ESPN, ESPN+). Advertisement According to the announcement post, the winner will be granted a fight against undefeated 155-pound Champions Series titleholder Nurmagomedov (19-0), who hasn't competed since a thrilling victory over Hughes (14-2) in January. The news seemingly came as a surprise and frustration to Hughes, who called for a rematch with Nurmagomedov after a quick knockout win over Bruno Miranda at 2025 PFL Europe 1 in Belfast in May. He quickly replied to the announcement post, labeling it as "rage bait." Barnaouri (22-6) is coming off a third-round submission of surging prospect Alfie Davis in November, which came after a first-roudn finish of Yusuke Yachi in May. Colgan (11-0), meanwhile, has put together an undefeated career so far that is highlighted by wins over former Bellator title contender Emmanuel Sanchez and UFC veteran Thibault Gouti. The latest lineup for 2025 PFL World Tournament 6 now includes: Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Kevin Lee Liz Carmouche vs. Elora Dana Mansour Barnaoui vs. Archie Colgan Mando Gutierrez vs. Justin Wetzell Marcirley Alves da Silva vs. Jake Hadley Alfie Davis vs. Brent Primus Jena Bishop vs. Katerina Shakalova Sarvadzhon Khamidov vs. Magomed Magomedov Antonio Caruso vs. Vinicius Cenci Darragh Kelly vs. Chuka Willis Lazaro Dayron vs. Matheus Mattos Ilara Joanne vs. Saray Orozco Alan Dominguez vs. Nick Meck This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: PFL announces Nurmagomedov title eliminator; Hughes reacts
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFL announces title eliminator for Usman Nurmagomedov; Paul Hughes calls out 'rage bait'
PFL announces title eliminator for Usman Nurmagomedov; Paul Hughes calls out 'rage bait' PFL will determine the next title challenger for lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov this month, much to the dismay of Paul Hughes. The promotion announced on Friday that a lightweight title eliminator between Mansour Barnaouri and Archie Colgan has been added to its 2025 PFL World Tournament 6 event on June 20, which takes place at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan. (ESPN, ESPN+). According to the announcement post, the winner will be granted a fight against undefeated 155-pound Champions Series titleholder Nurmagomedov (19-0), who hasn't competed since a thrilling victory over Hughes (14-2) in January. The news seemingly came as a surprise and frustration to Hughes, who called for a rematch with Nurmagomedov after a quick knockout win over Bruno Miranda at 2025 PFL Europe 1 in Belfast in May. He quickly replied to the announcement post, labeling it as "rage bait." Barnaouri (22-6) is coming off a third-round submission of surging prospect Alfie Davis in November, which came after a first-roudn finish of Yusuke Yachi in May. Colgan (11-0), meanwhile, has put together an undefeated career so far that is highlighted by wins over former Bellator title contender Emmanuel Sanchez and UFC veteran Thibault Gouti. The latest lineup for 2025 PFL World Tournament 6 now includes:
IOL News
02-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
PFL Africa debuts in Cape Town with landmark 14-fight card
Current Light Heavyweight World Champion Corey Anderson will move up a division to face 2024 PFL Heavyweight Champion Denis Goltsov on the Champions Series card on July 19 at Grand West Casino in Cape Town. Photo: PFL Image: PFL Fight fans will be pleased to know that the first PFL Africa fight card is officially locked in. The Professional Fighters League is one of the biggest MMA brands alongside the UFC, and will now be the first major organisation to break ground on the continent next month in Cape Town, South Africa. On 19 July, at the Grand Arena in GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World, some of Africa's most talented mixed martial artists will have the opportunity to make a big statement and embark on a journey to PFL gold in the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament. The show will also feature world-renowned combat sports stars, forming part of an exciting and historic 14-fight card. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ This event marks a landmark moment for South Africa and the African continent as the PFL continues its global expansion plan following the launch of other leagues, including PFL MENA and PFL Europe. This vision aims to bolster the African combat sports market and ecosystem. The launch of the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament will include first-round matchups in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions, each comprising an eight-man bracket. The tournament will span four events across Africa and feature 24 elite fighters from 14 African countries. In addition to tournament bouts, next month's show will be headlined by five high-stakes PFL Champions Series fights featuring elite global talent. Among the fighters competing on the PFL Africa card will be South Africa's former BRAVE CF Bantamweight champion Nkosi Ndebele, who takes on Egypt's Mahmoud Atef. Also fighting in the Bantamweight knockout tournament is EFC star and Zimbabwe's unbeaten Simbarashe Hokonya, who will face another undefeated prospect in Cameroon's Alain Majorique. In the Heavyweight bracket, South Africa's Justin Clarke meets Majorique's compatriot Jashell Ticha Awa, while Senegal's Abdoullah Kane clashes with Morocco's Mohammad Ben Yahia. In a showcase Women's Strawweight bout, the dangerous and unbeaten Nigerian Juliet Ukah faces South Africa's Ceileigh Niedermayr, a seasoned competitor under the bright international lights. In the Champions Series, fans can expect to see some of their favourite global stars. At 145 pounds, former Bellator Featherweight World Champion AJ 'Mercenary' McKee returns to the SmartCage to face Akhmed Magomedov, a rising Russian talent and protégé of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov. Also confirmed is a Heavyweight showcase featuring current Light Heavyweight World Champion Corey Anderson, who moves up a division to take on 2024 PFL Heavyweight Champion Denis Goltsov. Artur Zaynukov returns to the PFL following an impressive showing at Battle of the Giants, aiming to extend his win streak to six. He faces RIZIN veteran Takeshi Izumi of Japan, a decorated wrestler who earned a unanimous decision over Spike Carlyle in his most recent outing. Headlining the evening is undefeated Middleweight World Champion Johnny 'Pressure' Eblen, who puts his perfect record and title on the line against Spain's surging contender Costello 'The Spaniard' van Steenis (16-3). In the co-main event, Women's Flyweight phenom 'Dangerous' Dakota Ditcheva, widely considered one of the top pound-for-pound female fighters in MMA, takes on Hawaii's elite striker Sumiko 'Lady Samurai' Inaba in a thrilling penultimate bout. In July 2024, the PFL announced its third international league—PFL Africa—following the launches of PFL Europe and PFL MENA, with the aim of showcasing African talent on the global stage. Former UFC Heavyweight and current global combat superstar, Cameroon's Francis Ngannou, serves as acting chairman of the league. He will also take on a pivotal ambassadorial role to grow the Professional Fighters League in the Motherland and develop the next generation of African champions. 'Kicking off the PFL Champions Series in Cape Town alongside the launch of PFL Africa reflects our commitment to grow the sport of MMA throughout the continent, as well as provide pathways for African fighters to compete on a global stage and become champions,' says Peter Murray, CEO of the Professional Fighters League. 'With PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and now PFL Africa launching, PFL's international growth strategy and footprint are unmatched in the sport. This is all made possible by building a great team. I'm proud to partner with Francis Ngannou and Helios Sports & Entertainment Group, and excited to welcome Elias Schulze as GM of PFL Africa.' The PFL Cape Town event begins at 4:30 p.m. SAST / 10:30 a.m. EST with the PFL Africa portion of the card, followed by the PFL Champions Series at 8:30 p.m. SAST / 2:30 p.m. EST. A U.S. broadcast partner will be announced shortly. Tickets for this landmark event are on sale now via Ticketpro and are moving quickly.
