As the Professional Fighters League (PFL) brings its fast-growing African series to Rwanda, the spotlight turns to the athletes set to step into the ring. This is more than just a fight night; it's a major moment for combat sports on the continent. From undefeated prospects and knockout mixed martial artists to seasoned veterans and hometown heroes, these fighters are not just chasing wins; they’re representing nations, stories, and dreams. Times Sport breaks down the names, records, and real details behind each of the fighters expected to feature during the Professional Fighters League Africa on October 18. ALSO READ:PFL Africa in Kigali: A knockout moment for East Africa's MMA dreams Isaac Omeda(Uganda) Omeda enters the Rwandan event with a clean 2-0 professional record in the featherweight division. Known by the nickname The Monster King, the 28-year-old weighs in at 65.8 kilograms and brings a gritty, no-nonsense approach to MMA. His last fight ended in a first-round stoppage, showcasing his potential early in his career. Beyond the cage, Omeda serves in the Ugandan Police Force, a role that reinforces his discipline and physicality. Patrick Ocheme (South Africa) Ocheme, also competing in the featherweight division, holds a strong 7-1 record and represents Johannesburg, South Africa. At 30 years old and fighting at 65.8 kilograms, Ocheme, who goes by Star Boi, has built momentum with a 5-fight winning streak, including a recent unanimous decision win over Mohammed Camara at PFL Africa 2. Four of his victories have come by knockout, and with an undefeated 4-0 run under EFC, he traveled to Rwanda with both experience and confidence. Joffie Houlton (Nigeria) Heavyweight contender Houlton brings both size and experience to the PFL Africa card. Weighing in at 120.2 kilograms and holding a record of 8-4, the 32-year-old Nigerian fights out of Stoke, England. Specialising in MMA, Houlton is riding a three-fight winning streak, though his most recent win at PFL Africa 1 came via illegal strikes. Despite the controversy, he remains one of the division’s most dangerous finishers, with six of his eight wins coming via first-round stoppage. A veteran of Bellator, he’s no stranger to high-level competition. ALSO READ:Kigali to host PFL Africa semi-finals in October Wasi Adeshina Adeshina, also from Nigeria but fighting out of Sweden, will be another name to watch in the featherweight division. At 27 years old and weighing 65.8 kilograms, the Nigerian Jaguar has turned his career around dramatically after losing his first two professional fights. Now his form standing at 8-3, he has won seven of his last eight, including a second-round submission victory over Jean Jacques Lubaya at PFL Africa 2, three of those wins came by knockout. Maxwell Djatantou Nana (Cameroon) Djatanou Nana, known as Leonidas, is a heavyweight powerhouse with a 7-1 record. The 33-year-old competes at 120.2 kilograms and is a finisher by nature; six of his wins have come via knockout. He recently picked up a decision victory over Mikael Groguhe at PFL Africa 1, but his standout achievement is a sambo win over current PFL 2024 heavyweight champion Denis Goltsov. His only professional loss came against Portuguese prospect Mario Pinto, now undefeated at 8-0. Emilios Dassi (Cameroon) Dassi is a Cameroonian welterweight fighting out of Douala, brings a 5-1 record into Rwanda and competes at 77.1 kilograms. Known as Son of the Predator, Dassi trains out of the Francis Ngannou Foundation. At 28 years old, he’s riding a two-fight win streak and recently knocked out Osvaldo Benedito in the first round. ALSO READ:Francis Ngannou: UFC icon unveils plans to introduce mixed martial arts in Rwanda Octave Ayinda (Nigeria) Ayinda, an undefeated 28-year-old out of Yaoundé, Cameroon, is affiliated with Taurus Martial Arts in Abuja, Nigeria. With a record of 7-0 in welterweight division and fighting at 77.1 kilograms, The Bantu Warrior has made a name for himself through violence. His last three fights have ended in first-round stoppages, including a dominant performance at PFL Africa 2 against British Boloyoang. A former AKO veteran, Ayinda is on the cusp of a breakout year. Abdoul Razac Sankara (Côte d'Ivoire) known as Sankariste, adds striking firepower to the featherweight lineup. Fighting out of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the 24-year-old weighs 65.8 kilograms and brings a 7-3 record built on a kickboxing foundation. He made headlines with a viral head-kick KO over Shadrack Vemba, and he entered Rwanda on a three-fight stoppage streak. With five career knockouts already, Sankara’s youth and explosiveness make him a major threat in the division. James Opio (Rwanda) Opio, currently based in Uganda, returns to Rwanda for a deeply personal fight. Known as Labwor the Godzilla, the 32-year-old featherweight (65.8 kg) moved to Uganda during the genocide at the age of two and now returns to the land of his birth to represent his people. Holding a 2-1 record, his only loss came to Cornel Thompson, a proven lightweight tournament finalist. While still early in his career, Opio’s heart, experience, and purpose make him a compelling story on this card.
