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Women’s Strawweight Showcase Bout:
Shelda
Chipito (116) vs. Haidy Ahmed
(116)
Round 1
Ahmed rushes in after a couple of low kicks by each woman and looks
for the takedown against the fence. She turns away from the fence
and tries a headlock throw. Chipito defends well, and throws a knee
up the middle. Ninety seconds in, they are still jocketing against
the fence. Chipito is close to taking Ahmed’s back standing against
the fence, but Ahmed turns in towards her and they are back to
stalemate. Half the round down and Chipito gets a trip takedown.
Ahmed elevates her hips from full guard and looks for offense, but
Chipito stands out of her guard for a moment. Chipito dives back
into guard and Ahmed looks for an armbar. It looks dangerous, but
Chipito defends as Ahmed goes belly-down, and manages to get her
arm out of danger. Chipito stands and kicks the legs for a few
moments before the referee stands them up. Thirty seconds to go and
Ahmed gets a takedown against the fence, ending up on top as the
horn sounds.
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Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ahmed
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Ahmed
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ahmed
Round 2
Chipito reaches out and touches with left jab, but eats a harder
right on the counter. Ahmed flicks up a head kick that lands. Ahmed
rushes in again and drives Chipito to the fence. They are in the
same underhook/overhook stalemate in which they spent most of the
first round. As they come peeling off the fence, Chipito manages to
shove slash trip Ahmed to the ground. Ahmed’s guard is once again
aggressive, but Chipito scoots her against the fence and Ahmed is
having trouble getting her hips up. Chipito is also more aggressive
on top this time, dropping short elbows from above. Ahmed squirms
away from the attack and the fence, but gives up her back as she
does. Chipito is looking for a rear-naked choke, but Ahmed spins
out of the position. Chipito lands in full mount, lands a couple
more blows from top position, and
as Ahmed gives up her back again, Chipito sinks her hooks, goes
supine and cinches up another rear-naked choke. This time it’s
tight, and Ahmed taps the mat. Nice work on the ground
by Shelda Chipito.
The Official Result
Shelda Chipito def. Haidy Ahmed R2 4:49 via Submission (Rear-Naked
Choke)
Round 1
Both light heavies set up in orthodox stance under the watchful eye
of referee Paul Crossley. Muzaan is the taller, rangier man, and he
is the one circling away as Ngono advances, throwing out leg kicks
and jabs. Muzaan tries to meet Essono’s advance with a flying knee
that comes up a bit short. Essono answers with a right low kick
that takes Muzaan all the way off his feet. Essono dives after his
fallen foe and takes the back of the turtled Nigerian, and spends a
long sequence pelting him with short shots from behind. Muzaan
tries to escape, but Essono stays with him and lands in his full
guard. They scoot to the fence, and Essono is still on top,
dropping short punches and grinding elbows as Muzaan covers up and
tries to control the wrists. The horn sounds on a one-sided round.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Essono
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Essono
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Essono
Round 2
Muzaan is once again on the outside, trying to keep the shorter
Essono at bay with long kicks up the middle. Essono steps in with a
nice left jab, but comes up short with a right cross. Muzaan draws
a warning for keeping his fingers extended. Muzaan tries a level
change and a long shot from outside. Essono sprawls easily, spins
to the back and takes side control. Essono is still in side control
a full minute later, looking to pass to mount while working on the
far arm. Muzaan is offering nothing at all from the bottom. Hips
and shoulder blades are completely flat on the ground in the center
of the cage. The horn sounds on another one-sided, fairly inert
five minutes of MMA.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Essono
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Essono
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Essono
Round 3
Muzaan sticks Essono with a lovely right cross in the opening
seconds. Essono staggers and Muzaan gives chase, landing a jump
knee and a few more glancing shots, but Essono recovers quickly and
takes Muzaan down. A minute in, these two are in the very familiar
situation of Essono on top, in side control against the fence. Once
again, after getting top position, Essono appears to be in complete
control, as Muzaan either has no idea what to do to escape, or is
too exhausted to try. The result is Essono once again on top,
dropping just enough offense to keep Crossley at bay. Crossley does
caution the fighters to stay busy a few times, but the main
suspense in the final 90 seconds is whether he will stand them up.
He does not, and the final horn sounds on a very lopsided bout.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Essono (30-27 Essono)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Essono (30-27 Essono)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Essono (30-27 Essono)
The Official Result
Styve Ngono Essono def. Richard Muzaan via Unanimous Decision
(30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bantamweight Tournament First Round Bout:
Boule
Godogo (133.6) vs. Dauda
Rajabu (133)
Round 1
The PFL Africa bantamweight tournament kicks off here, with Godogo
and promotional newcomer Rajabu going to work at a word from
referee Rich Mitchell. Rajabu rushes in for a takedown but Godogo
uses a nice judo throw to fling him to the ground, landing on top.
Rajabu immediately looks for an armbar, and Rajabu is in trouble.
Godogo tries to extricate his right arm, framing his left elbow on
Rajabu’s chest, and a few moments later he gets out of peril to the
point that he can drop some punches with his free hand. Rajabu
gives up the armbar and fishes for a leglock, but there’s nothing
doing there. Godogo sets a knee on the belly and drops some more
short strikes. Godogo seems close to moving to side control, but
his leg is still stuck between their bodies. The position looks
dangerous, but Godogo seems bent on keeping top position, ignoring
any discomfort or risk to the trapped limb. With a minute left,
Godogo finally gets his leg out of danger, but at the cost of
giving up top position. Rajabu is in mount, then takes the back as
Godogo turns facedown. Rajabu is cinching up a rear-naked choke
with 30 seconds to go. He can’t get it, and Godogo spins into guard
right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rajabu
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Rajabu
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Rajabu
Round 2
Godogo closes the distance quickly and, despite spending most of
the last round in trouble on the ground, goes for a takedown. He
gets it, and ends up in top position against the fence. Rajabu
immediately goes for an armbar and Godogo is forced to defend.
Referee Mitchell warns Godogo for putting his toes in the fence,
then a moment later, manually pulls the fighter’s foot out of the
chain link. Godogo takes advantage of the moment to escape the
submission, and ends up on top, sitting reverse cowboy on Rajabu’s
chest. Rajabu spins for a leglock, and Godogo evades it easily,
moving to side control. Godogo is on top, halfway through the
round, heavy on top as Godogo plants his feet on the fence. Rajabu
tries a hip escape and Godogo floats with him, landing in half
guard a few feet from the fence. Rajabu is controlling his
opponent’s posture but doing little else on the bottom, and Godogo
elevates out of his guard to make space to drop some big punches.
Rajabu is either tired or hurt, but he is in survival mode on the
ground. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Godogo
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Godogo
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Godogo
Round 3
Rajabu was slow to get to his stool after Round 2 and he is slow to
get off it to open the final frame. His hands are at his waist and
his feet are practically planted. Godogo gets an effortless
takedown and lands in full guard. Rajabu tries to control Godogo’s
posture but Godogo sits up in his guard and slams him with a volley
of elbows and hammerfists. Referee Mitchell pauses the action to
warn Rajabu for grabbing the inside of his opponent’s gloves. At
the halfway point of the round, Godogo is in complete control, and
while he isn’t doing a ton of damage, Rajabu is so inert that
Mitchell warns him to defend himself.
Both men hear the warning, of course, and Godogo takes the cue to
pass to mount and turn up the volume. As Rajabu continues to offer
no resistance, Mitchell stops the mauling. Righteous
TKO win for Boule Godogo.
The Official Result
Boule Godogo def. Dauda Rajabu R3 2:42 via TKO (Punches)
Lightweight Tournament First Round Bout:
Jean
Do Santos (155) vs. Demba Seck
(154.6)
Round 1
Seck and Do Santos open up the PFL Africa lightweight tournament
with Paul Crossley set to officiate. Both are in orthodox stance
and Seck strikes first with a hard low kick. After a few exchanges
of glancing kicks at range, Do Santos shoots a fast double-leg and
plows Seck to the ground. Do Santos stays low in his foe’s guard,
as Seck scoots back to the fence and tries to use it to stand. Do
Santos attempts to take Seck’s back as he stands, but Seck makes it
to his feet, and when Do Santos looks for a mat return, Seck lands
on top. Seck is in Do Santos’ half guard at the midpoint of the
round, trying to pass to mount while he strikes with elbows. Do
Santos explodes to his feet. He charges forward and Seck grabs a
guillotine against the fence. It looks deep, but Do Santos hoists
him off his feet and tries to slam his way out of the hold. He
doesn’t get out immediately, but Seck loses the choke a moment
later. They separate, and when they meet again, Seck once again
tries for a guillotine. He can’t get it, but ends up on Do Santos’
back against the fence, where he drives short knees into the legs.
They separate at the 10-second clapper and collide at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Seck
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Seck
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Seck
Round 2
Do Santos flicks out a fast high kick, and Seck complains of a low
blow. Referee Mitchell halts the action and gives Seck a moment to
recover. Everyone is looking at the overhead replay, and it turns
out that the blow might have been a glance as his foot came back
from the head kick. When they go back to work, Seck quickly drives
Do Santos to the cage and lands a salvo of punches. Do Santos
shoots for a double-leg and gets pancaked. As Do Santos stands,
Seck tries the guillotine again, jumping to guard as he does so. It
looks tight for a moment, but Do Santos pulls his head out of
danger. Two minutes gone in the round and it’s Do Santos driving
Seck into the chain link, then is reversed. Do Santos reverses the
position again and shoves the taller man into the fence. Seck is
content to keep an overhook and simply make Do Santos carry his
weight. Mitchell warns the fighters to stay busy. Ninety seconds to
go in Round 2, and Seck hits an inside switch, which ends up doing
little other than dropping him to his seat at the base of the cage.
The horn sounds! What the heck? There were like 45 seconds left in
the round.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Seck
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Seck
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Seck
Round 3
Do Santos walks straight into a front kick to the face from Seck.
He’s clearly hurt, but manages to shove Seck to the fence and hold
on long enough to recover. Seck spins Do Santos into the fence and
starts throwing elbows, knees and insults. They separate and Do
Santos is hurt, tired or both. He is staggering a bit on his feet.
Seck trips Do Santos to the ground, hops immediately onto his back,
sinks both hooks and flattens Do Santos. They are in the center of
the cage with nearly three mintues left, Seck pelting Do Santos
with punches from back mount. Do Santos squirms, bucks and somehow
manages to regain half guard. Seck is still in the driver’s seat,
but the stream of offense from the top has slowed as Do Santos
controls Seck’s posture. Mitchell warns them to stay busy. A minute
and a half to go in the fight, and Do Santos is out of immediate
danger but offering little from the bottom other than to survive.
Seck is keeping the pressure up, but not making any urgent effort
to pass Do Santos’ guard. Do Santos stands at the 10-second
clapper, but nothing else of consequence happens before the final
horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Seck (30-27 Seck)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Seck (30-27 Seck)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Seck (30-27 Seck)
The Official Result
Demba Seck def. Jean Do Santos via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27)
Bantamweight Tournament First Round Bout:
Alain
Majorique (136) vs. Dwight
Joseph (135)
Round 1
The PFL Africa bantamweight tournament continues, as Joseph and
Majorique jockey for a position in the semifinals. Both
bantamweight hopefuls are orthodox to start things off, and there
are a few kicks from both sides that come up short. Joseph switches
stances frequently in the early going, and changes levels for a
nice inside trip. He drives Majorique to the fence. Majorique gets
half guard, then full guard, then throws up a series of triangle
and armbar setups. Joseph snuffs them out and passes briefly to
side control before Majorique pops back to his feet. Joseph stays
southpaw for the most part, and allows himself to be walked to the
fence before circling away. Majorique comes forward, but Joseph
meets him with a hook, then an uppercut. Majorique walks into a
glancing spinning back fist. Under 30 seconds to go and Majorique
is starting to find a home for his left hand. Majorique gets a slam
takedown at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Majorique
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Joseph
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Joseph
Round 2
Majorique is again the one coming forward to start Round 2, and
Joseph is there to meet him in southpaw. Joseph flicks out a nice
left body kick on the open side, then another. Majorique eats them
and comes forward with his jab. They collide, clinch briefly, and
Majorique connects with an elbow on the break. Majorique backs
Joseph to the fence, and when Joseph comes back in, he tries a high
kick which glances. Joseph tries a spinning back elbow, but
Majorique is barging in and he’s too close for ideal effect.
Majorique grabs a body lock and hustles Joseph to the ground
without needing to trip him. Majorique is in half guard, heavy on
top, dropping short elbows to the head and punching the far ribs.
Under two minutes to go and Majorique seems content to keep the
good position, doing more than enough work with his fists and
elbows to justify Mitchell letting them work. At the one-minute
mark, Majorique slides into mount, then takes the back in a flash.
He’s working for a rear-naked choke, but Joseph defends well, and
for a moment it looks as if he might spin into guard. Majorique
retakes back mount, however, and is fishing for another choke at
the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Majorique
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Majorique
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Majorique
Round 3
It might well be one round apiece as these two come out for the
final frame, but Joseph is showing some urgency. He comes forward
and fires off a couple of hard kicks to the body. Majorique drives
him towards the fence, and Joseph, clearly aware of his opponent’s
clinch takedowns, slides out the side. Majorique regroups and tries
another body lock takedown, but Joseph rolls through nicely and
ends up on top. Joseph has his hands full keeping the bigger man
down, and succeeds for a few moments, at the expense of any real
offense, before Majorique manages to frame and separate. They go
back to work at the midpoint of the final round, and it is once
again Majorique on the front foot, backing Joseph off. Joseph is
clearly struggling with the challenge of a foe who is both taller
than he is, and capable of taking him down. Majorique gets an easy
double-leg against the fence and drags Joseph to his seat with a
minute left in the fight. Joseph turtles and Majorique hops on his
back, looking for a choke. He’s high on the back and Joseph tries
to shake him off, but Majorique gets one hook and manages to stay
on top until the horn, though there is no chance for another choke
attempt.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Majorique (30-27 Majorique)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Joseph (29-28 Joseph)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Majorique (29-28
Majorique)
The Official Result
Dwight Joseph def. Alain Majorique via Split Decision (27-30,
29-28, 29-28)
Round 1
The second PFL Africa lightweight quarterfinal sees Errachidy and
Al Kurdi square off, with Paul Crossley the third man in the cage.
Al Kurdi launches himself at Errachidy as soon as Crossley starts
the fight, and lands a flying kick directly to the cup. Crossley
pauses the action, as the kick was both obvious and loud, but
Errachidy seems to be all right and wants to get back to work right
away. Al Kurdi lets off another bizarre flying-spinning-whatever,
and Crossley grabs a body lock and hauls him down. Errachidy takes
top position, then nearly takes the back of the turtled Al Kurdi.
Errachidy can’t secure the position and they end up back on the
feet. Errachidy lands a good body kick and seems to be adjusting to
his opponent’s wild assault, but Al Kurdi meets him with a hard
knee up the middle, and in the ensuing collision, trips him to the
canvas. He can’t do anything with the position, however, and they
end up once again on the feet. From there, both men engage in a
nearly unhinged 90 seconds of high-amplitude kickboxing. Both men
get their share of shots in, but Errachidy is a bit more composed
and cleaner, and lands a couple of big spinning kicks, including
one to the head, before the horn. This fight is wild!
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Errachidy
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Errachidy
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Errachidy
Round 2
Al Kurdi forgoes the flying cup kick to open Round 2, but they meet
and engage willingly in the center of the cage, exchanging big
glancing shots. Al Kurdi steps in and gets a trip takedown, and
moves to Errachidy’s back. He sinks the hooks, flattens Errachidy
out in the center of the cage, and starts dropping big punches. At
least three in a row appear to go straight to the back of the head,
referee Crossley warns him at least twice for them, but he loses
neither the position nor any points. Errachidy, at risk of losing
consciousness, turns to the side.
Al Kurdi follows, cinches up a rear-naked choke, and after some
adjustment, elicits the tap. A bizarre fight from
start to finish, but impressive work by Hussain Al Kurdi.
The Official Result
Hussain Al Kurdy def. Aberrahman Errachidy R2 1:23 via Submission
(Rear-Naked Choke)
Round 1
Staying busy while her home promotion figures out its future,
Invicta FC atomweight champ Ferreira steps up in weight to meet one
of PFL Africa’s rising strawweight stars in the undefeated Ukah.
The disparity in height and reach should be something to behold, as
“Lili” is short and compact even by atomweight standards. Sure
enough it is, as the two go to work at a word from referee Steven
Momoh. Ukah is southpaw, Ferreira orthodox, and Ukah is
understandably trying to keep the shorter, quicker woman on the
outside. Ukah flicks out front kicks with both legs, as well as a
long right jab, and in the early going, Ferreira is having trouble
getting past them. Ferreira attacks the lead right leg of Ukah with
a nice outside kick that buckles the knee for an instant. Ferreira
attacks the front leg again. Ukah reacts badly to a feinted level
change, but recovers and nails the onrushing Ferreira with an
intercepting knee. Ferreira changes levels for a takedown and Ukah
stays upright with the help of a completely egregious fence grab
that appears to go unnoticed by the referee. They end up clinched
against the fence, and after a moment or two of jockeying, they
separate. Ferreira dives back in and tries for another takedown.
She gets it, but Ukah uses another fence grab to get back to her
knees. Ferreira gets another takedown at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ferreira
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Ukah
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ferreira
Round 2
Ferreira comes forward aggressively to open Round 2, throwing a low
kick and then punching her way into the clinch, where she hooks one
of Ukah’s legs and looks for a takedown. Ukah reverses the
position, shoving Ferreira into the fence, and they go careening to
the ground a moment later, with Ukah landing on top.
Ferreira twists her hips, scoots outside and throws up an armbar.
Ukah is stuck, and taps a moment later. Momoh dives in for the save
and Ukah immediately begins protesting that she did not
tap. Nobody seems particularly convinced: Ferreira
wags a finger, Momoh more or less asks her to stop embarrassing
herself and even the Lagos crowd—who are surely disappointed that
their native daughter just took her first loss—does not react to
her remonstrations. Awkward finish to an otherwise fun fight and
impressive performance by the converted atomweight star.
The Official Result
Elisandra Ferreira def. Juliet Ukah R2 1:39 via Submission
(Armbar)
Bantamweight Tournament First Round Bout:
Raphael
Uchegbu (135.6) vs. Edson
Machavane (134.6)
Round 1
Bantamweight quarterfinalists Uchegbu and Machavane engage under
the auspices of referee Rich Mitchell, and Uchegbu gets a quick
takedown against the fence. Machavane tries to stand, and Uchegbu
takes his back, then drags him to the ground once again, sinking
first the outside hook, then a body triangle. Uchegbu is calm and
measured, boxing Machavane’s ears with both hands while looking for
a chance to try for the neck. He goes for it, and Machavane defends
the hands with his left hand while elbowing the thigh with his
right. Machavane was apparently right not to panic, as Uchegbu
can’t cinch up the choke while they are stuck against the fence. He
squirms them around away from the cage, still with the body
triangle, and turns Machavane facedown. Uchegbu loosens the body
triangle for a moment, then secures it once again. With a minute to
go, Uchegbu is seated against the fence, Machavane practically in
his lap, and in full control. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Uchegbu
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Uchegbu
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Uchegbu
Round 2
Machavane, apparently unhappy with the way Round 1 went, nails
Uchegbu with a pair of nasty kicks to open things up. Uchegbu
changes levels for a takedown and Machavane concedes it instantly,
practically pulling guard. Just like that, 15 seconds into the
round we are back in the position in which Uchegbu dominated the
first frame so handlily. Machavane throws on a body triangle from
the bottom, and along with an overhook, controls Uchegbu’s posture.
He lets go of the triangle and tries to make some space, but
Uchegbu is relentless on top, passing to half guard while scooting
the action to the fence. Machavane uses the cage to stand, but same
as in Round 1, Uchegbu takes his back and drags him back down.
Machavane spins away and denies him back mount, but Uchegbu takes
top position against the fence, in Machavane’s full guard.
Machavane briefly looks for a guillotine from guard, but gives it
up quickly. Under a minute to go in Round 2 and it’s Uchegbu on
top, punching the ribs with both hands and generally being heavy
and suffocating on top. Machavane makes no particular move to
escape and the horn sounds on another one-sided round for the
native fighter.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Uchegbu
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Uchegbu
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Uchegbu
Round 3
The PFL’s announcers believe Machavane needs a finish here and so
does your friendly play-by-play man. Machavane seems to agree, and
he meets Uchegbu’s first advance with a guillotine choke attempt,
jumping to guard against the fence. Uchegbu pops his head out of
the choke without much trouble, and Machavane tries to isolated
Uchegbu’s left arm for a kimura. He gets the grip bu Uchegbu hides
the hand well, possibly grabbing his own shorts for a moment
(that’s perfectly legal) to prevent his foe from pulling the arm
away from his body. Both fighters are patient and tactical, and
Machavane finally succeeds in freeing the arm. He tries to sweep,
but Uchegbu expertly rolls through and ends up on top again. Past
the halfway point of Round 3, Uchegbu is in top position, in the
guard of the seated Machavane againsst the fence. Machavane tries
elevating his hips, looking for a triangle or armbar, then takes a
butterfly hook on the left side, but can’t dislodge his foe.
Uchegbu pulls Machavane away from the fence, flattening him against
the ground and passing to half guard. Machavane throws elbows from
the bottom, but effectively concedes the position, and hence the
fight, as he makes no real effort to submit or escape in the final
30 seconds before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Uchegbu (30-27 Uchegbu)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Uchegbu (30-27 Uchegbu)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Uchegbu (30-27 Uchegbu)
The Official Result
Rafael Uchegbu def. Edson Machavane via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27)
Round 1
It is another study in contrasts as the burly 5-foot-8 Yahuza and
6-foot-2 Fongno go to work. Steven Momoh is the third person in the
cage. Yahuza shoots a double-leg, Fongno sprawls, but Yahuza gets
the takedown on second effort. Yahuza is in the taller man’s full
guard in the center of the cage, looking briefly to pass guard, but
giving it up in favor of punching to the ribs. They scoot gradually
across the cage until Fongno’s head touches the fence. Yahuza
postures up and drops a couple of big punches. Momoh tells them to
work. Yahuza is doing steady work; it’s mostly Fongno who is simply
trying to control his opponent’s posture and avoid the worst of the
damage. There’s a minute to go in the round and not much has
happened other than the sporadic ground-and-pound. Yahuza isn’t
trying to pass, Fongno isn’t trying to escape or submit, so
Yahuza’s periodic short punches are the story of the round. Momoh
warns them again at the clapper, but the round expires with Yahuza
on top, in Fongno’s full guard.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Yahuza
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Yahuza
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Yahuza
Round 2
Fongno tries to keep the distance and has his hands low in the
early going, perhaps wary of another level change. He flicks out a
left jab, then another. Yahuza feints a punch, then shoots a long
takedown from outside. Fongno sprawls and Yahuza tries to turn the
corner, but Fongno stands back up and separates. Yahuza steps into
the pocket and nails Fongno with an uppercut, then tags the much
taller man with a head kick that’s impressive, even if it doesn’t
do much damage. Fongno throws a kick up the middle that just
grazes. Yahuza seems to be slowing, and Fongno is growing in
confidence, coming forward, landing jabs and leg kicks. Fongno
throws a spinning back kick that slaps off the shorter man’s face.
Fongno springs into range and hurts Yahuza with a right cross.
Yahuza staggers back into the fence and covers up as Fongno follows
up with a stream of hooks from both hands, most of them clattering
off the arms and gloves. The referee steps in for the stoppage, and
it looks very premature. Yahuza was hurt, but nowhere
near out of it and may well have been recovering. Another bad look
from referee Steven Momoh, but it does down as a TKO win for Jordan
Fongno.
The Official Result
Jordan Fongno def. Yahaya Yahuza R2 3:35 via TKO (Punches)
Lightweight Tournament First Round Bout:
Cornel
Thompson (154.4) vs. Aureo Cruz
(154.4)
Round 1
Thompson and Cruz prepare to throw down, with a spot in the
lightweight tournament semifinals at stake, with Paul Crossley
drawing the referee assignment. Cruz is the shorter man—though both
are tall and long-limbed—and he marches forward, landing first with
an inside leg kick. Thompson gives ground, moves laterally and
tries to establish his long left jab. Thompson is working the kicks
himself, now, touching to both sides, then really turning the hip
over on a could of hard right low kick. Cruz lands a leg kick of
his own and it lands, but Thompson is already closing the distance
and changing levels. He ends up running Cruz to the fence, where he
stays tight, finds an angle he likes and trips Cruz to the ground.
Cruz does not concede the position, using the fence to stand back
up, and Thompson lands what sounds like a knee to the cup. Cruz
does not even react, however, and they fight on. They separate with
90 seconds left in the round and go back to work in the center of
the cage. Thompson lands a couple of leg kicks, and Cruz steps into
the pocket with a trio of hard punches that back the Nigerian off.
Thompson goes back to work on the legs at the 10-second clapper,
and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Thompson
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Thompson
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Thompson
Round 2
The cageside doctor is having a look at Cruz’s left eye before
Round 2 starts, as it appears he has suffered a cut to the inside
edge of the lower eyelid. Cruz is already asserting that he’s fine
and wants to fight, and after the cutman comes back in for some
additional attention, Crossley allows it. Thompson reaches out with
a left leg kick, then an outside kick with the right. Thompson goes
upstairs with a high kick. Cruz throws a side kick to the body. No
telling whether the eye is bothering Cruz, but his offense has
waned badly on the feet and he is biting hard on Thompson’s feints.
Cruz is switching stances, but spending more time in southpaw.
Thompson is keeping the left jab in Cruz’s face, following two jabs
with another low kick. None of it has huge power behind it, but
it’s clean, accurate and, with next to nothing coming back from the
Angolan, it’s more than enough to have him winning the round.
Thompson opens up with a big head kick that is blocked, and Cruz
rushes in to clinch. He might be looking for a takedown, but gives
it up quickly and shucks Thompson off. There’s a minute left in
Round 2 and it’s still Thompson who is throwing and landing the
bulk of the offense. Cruz ducks and connects with a nice jab to the
body. Thompson changes levels, goes for a takedown and gets Cruz
down for a split second before they both pop back up. They finish
the round with an exchange of clinch knees against the cage.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Thompson
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Thompson
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Thompson
Round 3
Cruz comes out southpaw to open the final frame and he throws a
side kick and a left-right combo in the first few seconds. Thompson
remains composed, disciplined and patient in his upright boxing
stance, and lands two low kicks and a high kick. Cruz steps into
the pocket, changes levels and gets an easy-looking takedown at the
base of the fence. He slides straight to back mount and sinks both
hooks on the turtled Thompson. They fall to their sides, Cruz with
a body triangle locked up and throwing punches with his left hand
while controlling Thompson’s left arm with his right. It’s a
dominant position, but looks unlikely to get him a finish. Cruz
might be thinking the same, as he starts looking for a rear-naked
choke with some urgency with 90 seconds left in the round. Cruz
gets an arm under the chin, but Thompson is slippery in the
technical as well as literal sense, and manages to fight it off.
Cruz tries to reset the choke, but Thompson spins into his guard
and finishes the fight on top, punching from inside Cruz’s guard.
It puts the brakes on a dominant frame for Cruz, and snuffs out any
question of a 10-8 round that might have resulted in a draw. The
horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Cruz (29-28 Thompson)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Cruz (29-28 Thompson)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Cruz (29-28 Thompson)
The Official Result
Cornel Thompson def. Aureo Cruz via Unanimous Decision (29-28,
29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight Tournament First Round Bout:
Karim
Henniene (135.8) vs. Thimna
Mhlauli (134.6)
Round 1
The semifinals of the PFL Africa bantamweight tournament will be
set once Henniene and Mhlauli settle their business in this feature
fight. Rich Mitchell is on ref duty. They exchange sharp low kicks
and punches right away, then Mhlauli drops levels for a takedown.
Henniene grabs a front headlock, sprawls and ends up on top.
Henniene is in side control for an instant, but Mhlauli stuffs him
back to guard. Still, it’s Henniene in top position, working hard
to keep the position as Mhlauli tries a knee shield to achieve some
separation. Henniene passes it, and Mhlauli shows triangle for a
moment. Mhlauli is very active and aggressive from the bottom,
cycling through butterfly hooks and possible submittion attacks
from the bottom. Mhlauli tries a butterfly sweep but they collide
with the fence and come down awkwardly. Henniene grabs an anaconda
choke, cinches tight and goes to his side.
Even though he can’t quite hook the leg, the squeeze is brutal and
Henniene goes out. Mitchell checks the arm of Mhlauli and, finding
it limp, saves Mhlauli from further cerebral hypoxia,
but Mhlauli might have been out for several seconds. He is
accordingly slow to come to his senses as Henniene hops up to
celebrate advancing in the grand prix.
The Official Result
Karim Henniene def. Thimna Mhlauli R1 2:23 via Technical Submission
(Anaconda Choke)
Round 1
The co-main event is also the last lightweight quarterfinal, and
Ocheme and Ayinda go to work as referee Crossley looks on. Both men
are in orthodox to start off. Ayinda is compact, in a low stance,
stalking forward, coiled to explode. Ocheme stands taller, circles
out and switches to southpaw, reaching out with a jab. Ocheme keeps
switching stances, pawing out with the lead hand from either side.
Ocheme leans back out of the way of a huge haymaker. Ayinda steps
forward and flicks a front kick up the middle. He springs into
range again with another massive overhand. Ocheme isn’t flustered
by the big offense and he remains composed, but he’s also backing
up and not throwing much offense, so he’s probably losing the round
almost by default—and oh my goodness, never mind. Apparently seeing
the opportunity he had been so patiently awaiting,
Ocheme hurts Ayinda with a short check hook, then measures him for
a double-clutch flying knee that lands flush on the
jaw. Ayinda slumps against the fence, completely out
cold, and the Lagos crowd explodes for its local hero. What a
knockout by Patrick Ocheme!
The Official Result
Patrick Ocheme def. Ayinda Octave R1 via KO (Punch and Flying
Knee)
Round 1
The non-tournament main attraction at PFL Nigeria sees 2025 PFL
Africa featherweight tournament winner Adeshina, who represents the
host country, welcoming Campos, who has already competed in the
PFL’s flagship promotion. Drawing the final referee assignment of
the evening is Rich Mitchell. It’s a southpaw vs. southpaw matchup,
and Campos lands a leg kick that nearly spins Adeshina all the way
around. They clinch next to the fence and Adeshina hits a beautiful
trip. Campos springs right back up, however, makes a bit of
separation and hits Adeshina with a nasty clinch knee on the way
in. Campos lands another hard leg kick and Adeshina is not reacting
well at all to those. Campos floors Adeshina with a short right
hand inside, follows up with a flurry of ground shots, but when
Adeshina turns away, he takes his back in a flash, sinking a
rear-naked choke.
Adeshina flattens out, Campos on his back, and is forced to
tap. Mitchell is there for the save, and Campos
launches himself over the fence into the arms of his cornermen in a
suddenly quiet arena. Stunning performance by Ignacio Campos.
The Official Result
Ignacio Campos def. Wasi Adeshina R1 1:45 via Submission
(Rear-Naked Choke)