2026 PFL Africa Finals: Six Finalists Confirmed After Morocco

The six finalists competing for 2026 PFL Africa tournament glory have been confirmed following the semifinals in Casablanca, Morocco.

2026 PFL Africa Welterweight Finalists

Shido Boris Esperança (Angola)

Shido Boris Esperança became the first and only two-time PFL Africa finalist after stopping South Africa's Peace Nguphane with a ground-and-pound just 1:03 into the opening round of their semi-final. The Angolan fighter began his 2026 campaign with a first-round stoppage of Emilios Dassi at PFL Africa: Pretoria.

He previously reached the 2025 PFL Africa welterweight final, where he lost to eventual tournament champion Yabna N'Tchala.

David Samuel (Nigeria)

Making his PFL Africa debut this season, David Samuel secured his place in the final with a unanimous decision victory over Rivaldo Pereira in Casablanca. The Nigerian welterweight had previously submitted Abdelrahman Mohamed with a rear-naked choke in the first round of the tournament at PFL Africa: Pretoria.

2026 PFL Africa Lightweight Finalists

Patrick Ocheme (Nigeria)

Patrick Ocheme produced one of the standout finishes at PFL Africa: Morocco, knocking out Cornel Thompson with a body kick in the first round. The Nigerian fighter also recorded a first-round knockout in his opening round, stopping Octave Ayinda with a thunderous flying knee at PFL Africa: Nigeria.

After being removed from the 2025 PFL Africa featherweight tournament for missing weight, Ocheme has made the most of his move to his more natural weight in the lightweight division.

Demba Seck (Senegal)

Demba Seck's path to the final took an unusual turn when his semi-final against Hussain Al Kurdi was declared a no-contest following an accidental groin strike just 37 seconds into the bout. As the fight was part of the tournament, a winner had to be determined, and Seck was awarded the victory to advance to the final.

The Senegalese fighter made his PFL Africa debut this season, defeating Jean Do Santos by unanimous decision at PFL Africa: Nigeria.

2026 PFL Africa Bantamweight Finalists

Raphael Uchegbu (Nigeria)

Raphael Uchegbu secured his place in the bantamweight final without competing in the semifinals after his scheduled opponent, Karim Henniene, withdrew at the beginning of fight week. With no replacement secured, PFL Africa opted to advance the Nigerian fighter directly to the final.

Uchegbu had earned his place in the semifinal round with a unanimous decision victory over Edson Machavane at PFL Africa: Nigeria.

Dwight Joseph (Liberia)

Dwight Joseph booked his first PFL Africa tournament final appearance with a split decision victory over Boule Godogo in Morocco. The Liberian previously competed in the 2025 PFL Africa featherweight tournament, reaching the semi-finals before losing to eventual champion Wasi Adeshina.

He had opened his 2026 bantamweight campaign with another split decision victory, this time over Alain Majorique at PFL Africa: Nigeria.

What's Next for PFL Africa?

With the finalists determined across all three divisions, attention now turns to the 2026 PFL Africa finals. The remaining six contenders will compete for their respective 2026 PFL Africa divisional championships and the $100,000 on the line.

PFL Africa's next stop will be the 2026 finals, and that is set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda on Dec. 12.