The Professional Fighters League (PFL) held its inaugural event in Morocco on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca. The event, named PFL Africa: Casablanca, showcased tournament semifinals and exhibition bouts featuring top fighters from across the continent.
In the heavyweight main event, Senegal’s Abdoulaye Kane (6-2) faced local fighter Badr “Dastan” Medkouri (9-4). Kane dominated the bout, delivering powerful kicks and establishing ground control in the first round. He finished the fight with a TKO at 4:06, unleashing a flurry of punches and elbows from full mount.
“Winning the main event of PFL Africa in Casablanca is a moment I will never forget,” Kane said after the fight. “This victory means so much more to me than just having my hand raised inside the cage. Morocco is my home, the country that welcomed me and supported me. To fight here, in front of my people, and come out victorious is an incredible feeling.”
In the co-main event, Moroccan fighter Taha Bendaoud (5-3) battled Algeria’s Yanis Ghemmouri (14-4). Ghemmouri secured a unanimous decision victory, exhibiting effective counter-striking and top control throughout the match.
The welterweight tournament semifinals featured two critical matchups. Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança (13-2) delivered a TKO against South Africa’s Peace Nguphane (9-4), while David Samuel (7-0) earned a unanimous decision against Rivaldo Pereira (4-3). This sets up a final fight between Esperança and Samuel.
The lightweight semifinals were highlighted by an all-Nigerian matchup, where Patrick Ocheme (10-1) achieved a TKO against Cornel Thompson (12-4) with a body kick. Demba Seck (11-3, 1 NC) faced Hussain Al Kurdi (3-0, 1 NC) in a bout that ended in a No Contest due to an accidental groin strike. Ocheme and Seck will meet in the finals.
In bantamweight action, Liberia’s Dwight Joseph (17-3) claimed a split decision victory over Boule Godogo (5-3), securing his place in the finals against Raphael Uchegbu (11-2), who advanced after his opponent missed weight.
The card also showcased several other bouts, featuring both Moroccan and international talent. Notable results included Reda Abdellaoui submitting Salim Mhamdi at bantamweight, Mouhamed Ba defeating Yabna N’Tchala by unanimous decision in welterweight, and Jane Osigwe winning her catchweight bout against Sanaa Mandar.
The fight card concluded with various match outcomes, reflecting the diverse talent in mixed martial arts. The next phase of the PFL Africa tournament is set as the finals approach, highlighting the rising intrigue in African combat sports.
