PRETORIA — The wait is over. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa is back for its highly anticipated second season, and the road to glory officially begins on Friday, April 10, at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
As the continent’s premier mixed martial arts league returns to South African soil, all eyes will be on the main event: a blockbuster Bantamweight Showcase Bout pitting reigning 2025 PFL Africa Champion Nkosi “King” Ndebele (11-3) against Italy’s rising threat, Michele “The Arrow” Clemente (7-1).
The Homecoming of a Champion
For Ndebele, this fight represents far more than just a title defense; it is a homecoming. The 31-year-old champion, whose journey began in the streets of Diepsloot, fought his way up through the amateur combat sports ranks in Gauteng before ascending to the pinnacle of global MMA.
After capturing the inaugural PFL Africa Bantamweight crown in December 2025 with a devastating 27-second body-kick knockout over Boule Godogo in Cotonou, Benin, Ndebele firmly established himself as the king of the division. Returning to his home province, the former BRAVE Combat Federation champion—who utilizes a punishing karate-based striking style—will be looking to extend his unbeaten run in the PFL in front of a raucous hometown crowd.
The Challenger: Michele Clemente
Standing across the cage is Michele “The Arrow” Clemente. The 25-year-old Italian is no stepping stone. Entering his PFL Africa debut on a formidable five-fight win streak, Clemente has made a name for himself as a standout in the Oktagon MMA promotion.
Clemente brings a highly technical striking and grappling pedigree into this matchup, presenting a fascinating stylistic clash. This is a classic battle of championship experience against a hungry, rising international challenger eager to make a statement in enemy territory.
A Stacked Card
While the bantamweights take center stage, the rest of the card promises fireworks. The co-main event features a heavyweight collision between South Africa’s own Justin Clarke (4-1) and Senegal’s Abdoulaye Kane (5-1). Clarke, who reached the heavyweight finals last season, is looking to re-establish his dominance in front of the Pretoria crowd, while Kane enters on a two-fight knockout streak with a 100% finish rate.
The event will also kick off the highly anticipated Welterweight Tournament First Round, guaranteeing a night of high-stakes action from top to bottom.
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