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Morocco World
an hour ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
PFL Africa Returns to Johannesburg with High-Stakes August Showdown
Rabat – The Professional Fighters League (PFL) returns to South Africa this August, staging the second PFL Africa event at Carnival City's Big Top Arena in Johannesburg. Set for Saturday, August 9, the night promises to bring together top-tier African MMA athletes in a continued quest for regional titles. After a strong launch in Cape Town, the tournament shifts to Johannesburg with Welterweight and Featherweight first-round fights. These divisions draw some of the continent's most talked-about fighters, all hoping to carve a path toward becoming PFL Africa's first champions. At the top of the card, Nigerian featherweight Patrick Ocheme (6-1) faces Guinea's Mohamed Camara (5-2-1) in a bout that carries more than just numbers. The two fighters come in with reputations built through grit, and both eye a bigger stage through this tournament. In the co-main event, Angola's Shido Boris Esperanca (9-1) returns after a dominant PFL debut to take on seasoned Gambian fighter Ibrahima Mané (14-5) in a Welterweight first-round bout. The meeting places experience and hunger in direct opposition. This year's PFL Africa season features 32 fighters from 15 nations, each bringing a distinct fighting style and personal story. While the league offers structure, the ambition on display belongs entirely to the athletes. Tickets go on sale Thursday, June 12, through TicketPro. With the energy around African MMA continuing to grow, organizers expect another full house and a crowd eager for every bell. The PFL stands out in the world of mixed martial arts for its merit-based format: win to move forward. That simplicity has allowed it to grow quickly and attract a broad international audience. For African fighters, the league opens a new door, one that leads straight to global competition, with a clear way forward. Tags: African MMAPFLPFL Africasports
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFL semifinal predictions: Who moves on at lightweight, bantamweight, women's flyweight?
PFL semifinal predictions: Who moves on at lightweight, bantamweight, women's flyweight? The PFL semifinals continue this week with lightweights, bantamweights and women's flyweights looking for trips to the finals. 2025 PFL World Tournament 6 (ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Friday at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan. Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below. Jena Bishop vs. Katerina Shakalova Records: Bishop (8-2), Shakalova (9-2) Bishop (8-2), Shakalova (9-2) Division: Women's flyweight Women's flyweight Rankings: Shakalova No. 15 Shakalova No. 15 Odds (as of 06.20.25): Bishop -165, Shakalova +140 Bishop -165, Shakalova +140 Junkie pick results: Bishop 7, Shakalova 4 Alfie Davis vs. Brent Primus Records: Davis (18-5-1), Primus (16-4) Davis (18-5-1), Primus (16-4) Division: Lightweight Lightweight Rankings: None None Odds (as of 06.20.25): Primus -205, Davis +170 Primus -205, Davis +170 Junkie pick results: Primus 8, Davis 3 Mando Gutierrez vs. Justin Wetzell Records: Gutierrez (11-3), Wetzell (11-2) Gutierrez (11-3), Wetzell (11-2) Division: Bantamweight Bantamweight Rankings: None None Odds (as of 06.20.25): Gutierrez +165, Wetzell -200 Gutierrez +165, Wetzell -200 Junkie pick results: Gutierrez 6, Wetzell 5 Marcirley Alves da Silva vs. Jake Hadley Records: da Silva (13-4), Hadley (12-4) da Silva (13-4), Hadley (12-4) Division: Bantamweight Bantamweight Rankings: None None Odds (as of 06.20.25): da Silva +125, Hadley -150 da Silva +125, Hadley -150 Junkie pick results: Hadley 11, da Silva 0 Liz Carmouche vs. Elora Dana Records: Carmouche (23-8), Dana (8-0) Carmouche (23-8), Dana (8-0) Division: Women's flyweight Women's flyweight Rankings: Carmouche No. 8 Carmouche No. 8 Odds (as of 06.20.25): Carmouche -425, Dana +330 Carmouche -425, Dana +330 Junkie pick results: Carmouche 10, Dana 1 Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Kevin Lee Records: Rabadanov (25-4-2), Lee (20-8) Rabadanov (25-4-2), Lee (20-8) Division: Lightweight Lightweight Rankings: None None Odds (as of 06.20.25): Rabadanov -1800, Lee +1000 Rabadanov -1800, Lee +1000 Junkie pick results: Rabadanov 10, Lee 1 Individual staff member semifinal picks Readers 75-51: Rabadanov (78%), Carmouche (79%), Hadley (81%), Wetzell (66%), Primus (82%), Bishop (57%)
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jon Jones: Dana White gets things done, Francis Ngannou 'could very easily be back in UFC'
Jon Jones: Dana White gets things done, Francis Ngannou 'could very easily be back in UFC' Jon Jones isn't ruling out the possibility of a Francis Ngannou return to the UFC. Ngannou's departure from the UFC was far from amicable. He signed with PFL after failing to come to terms on a new deal with the UFC, departing as the reigning heavyweight champion. UFC CEO Dana White was recently asked about the possibility of Ngannou coming back, where he simply responded, "Probably not." With current UFC heavyweight champion Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) continuously stating a title-unification bout with interim champ Tom Aspinall doesn't interest him, a potential fight with Ngannou, however, does. But is there a world where White re-signs "The Predator?" "I think Dana gets things done," Jones said on the "Full Send Podcast." "I think business speaks before emotions. If Francis presents himself in a humble way, I think that he could very easily be back in the UFC." Despite White and Ngannou's public rift in the past, Jones insists White wouldn't pass up on the opportunity if it was presented correctly. "Absolutely," Jones said on the possibility of Ngannou returning to the UFC. "Dana White is one of the best sports minds in recent history for a reason, and money talks. Francis brings eyes, and I'm sure Dana will be interested. He can be stubborn. I think I'm an example. People, they grow and mature, and time changes things, and time heals all. There was moments in my career where I felt like Dana absolutely hated me. Now I feel he's a big advocator for me."
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 316's Kayla Harrison Lived an 'Empty Life' Before Motherhood
UFC 316's Kayla Harrison Lived an 'Empty Life' Before Motherhood originally appeared on Athlon Sports. UFC 316 co-headliner Kayla Harrison (18-1) didn't realize what she was missing before becoming a mother. Advertisement Harrison appeared to have things figured out in terms of her career and her life. Having won Olympic gold twice, capturing PFL gold, and having a routine lifestyle, Harrison was fairly content with how things were going. When Harrison entered motherhood, her perspective completely changed. During an exclusive interview with Athlon Sports, Harrison discussed the lessons she continues to learn about being a mother. "Well, I mean, they never stop," Harrison said. "You learn a new one every day. It's the most rewarding, challenging, frustrating, exciting, crazy, roller coaster thing, unpredictable thing I've ever done, but it is the biggest blessing of my life. My kids actually recently went on a little trip with my mom to the other side of Florida. So, I had the house to myself for probably the first time ever. Advertisement "It was so shocking to me. I adopted my children, so before I had kids, I would wake up, I would eat, I would go train, I would come home, maybe read a book, lay out, take the dogs for a walk, go train again. Maybe have friends over for poker night or Taco Tuesday, but that was it. That was all I did. "On a Monday, I did that, and on a Wednesday, I was a mom. I couldn't believe how empty my life was and sort of just self-centered. My children have changed my life, and they've made me a better person, and they have given me a fullness and a purpose that I didn't even know I was missing until they showed." From Olympic Gold to UFC Gold? Kayla Harrison represents the United States during the Olympics.(via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports) Harrison will challenge Julianna Pena (12-5) for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday. It'll be Harrison's first opportunity at UFC gold. Advertisement The judo specialist explained the difference between how she felt going into her first chance at earning an Olympic gold medal and how she's feeling ahead of UFC 316. "I think the biggest difference is me," Harrison said. "My mentality, the wisdom, maybe, of having the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage so many times in my life. When I won my first gold medal, I was kind of young and dumb and a little bit clueless. "Now, I have just a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I'm so grateful for that because it's prepared me perfectly for what I'm about to achieve." Tuning Out Own Hype Kayla Harrison is interviewed after scoring a victory inside the UFC Octagon.(via Zuffa LLC) Harrison has long been viewed as a top athlete in MMA who is the favorite in virtually all of her bouts. She believes her competitive spirit won't allow her to fall into any outside noise. Advertisement "For sure," Harrison said about avoiding outside hype thanks to her competitive edge. "I think that, at the end of the day, I am grateful for the fans, and I love them dearly. I always say I don't have fans; I just have friends I haven't met yet, but I don't do this for them. "I do it because I feel like God has given me a gift, and it is my duty and my responsibility to give my very best. It's easy to block out the noise when you know that's not why you do it. I don't do this for applause or for money or for fame." Julianna Pena's Steroid Accusations Julianna Pena speaks to a reporter during a UFC pre-fight press conference.(via Zuffa LLC) Pena has never been shy to hold her tongue ahead of her fights. The reigning 135-pound champion has accused the challenger of steroid use. Harrison takes the trash talk in stride. Advertisement "I'm not sure," Harrison said when asked why Pena made the accusation. "I think that, to me, it speaks of fear and it screams of insecurity. Kind of like a built-in excuse, but it's also a compliment to me. If you think that I'm unnatural, thank you. I work really damn hard to be this way. "I've been drug tested since I was 12 years old. That's when I ranked on the national roster for judo. So, I can guarantee you I've probably been tested 10 times more than every UFC fighter because it's been 20-plus years of getting tested. I've never tested positive; I've never taken any substances." If you strip away the pre-fight banter, Harrison admits that she thinks Pena has the qualities of a worthy fighter inside the Octagon. Still, she thinks her skills outmatch Pena's significantly. "I think everybody's tough until you beat them," Harrison said. "You got to go out there and you got to implement your game plan and instill your will. I think her best attribute as a fighter is that she's got heart and she is a fighter. She's not going to quit, but we've seen her lose. We've seen her holes, and I'm better everywhere." Amanda Nunes Biding Her Time? Amanda Nunes holding the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship and the featherweight gold.(via Zuffa LLC) A big story that looms over Harrison's title shot against Pena involves Amanda Nunes. "The Lioness" has teased a return to the Octagon several times. Harrison is unsure if Nunes is waiting for UFC 316 to conclude, but she wouldn't blame her if that is the case. Advertisement "I don't know," Harrison said. "Maybe, I haven't given it a ton of thought. Probably, I would if I were her." Other Women's Bantamweight Fighters Norma Dumont lifts her opponent up for a takedown during their UFC fight.(via Zuffa LLC) In terms of women's bantamweights on the current UFC roster or even those who are waiting for their chance outside of the promotion, Harrison welcomes the best talent that the 135-pound division has to offer. "I think that there's a lot of up-and-coming fighters," Harrison said. "There is going to probably be a changing of the guard some day. There's always going to be the next hungry, young killer who's ready for their moment and ready for their opportunity. My job is to welcome them with open arms to the big leagues." Merab Dvalishvili Repeats at UFC 316? UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley meet face-to-face before UFC 316.(via Zuffa LLC) Harrison will share the same card that will be headlined by a UFC Bantamweight Championship rematch. Titleholder Merab Dvalishvili will collide with Sean O'Malley a second time. Harrison has an idea of how the second encounter will play out. Advertisement "I think that Merab is a machine, and I think that he's going to go out there and get the job done," Harrison said. "He's a tough fighter to beat." Kayla Harrison Enters G.O.A.T. Conversation? Kayla Harrison being introduced by Bruce Buffer before her UFC fight begins.(via Zuffa LLC) As far as her own fight is concerned, Harrison is shooting for the stars. She believes the headlines will be singing her praises following UFC 316. "I think they're just going to say, 'Kayla Harrison, greatest fighter of all time.'" Related: Rising UFC Star Shares Surprising Take on Islam Makhachev's Move to Welterweight This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Perfect weigh-in session for PFL semifinals in Wichita
The weigh-ins are in the books for the next set of PFL semifinals. Ahead of 2025 PFL World Tournament 5 (ESPN, ESPN+), which takes place Friday at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan., everyone hit their marks on the scale to make their fights official. Advertisement The event features semifinal bouts at lightweight, bantamweight and women's flyweight. Check out all the weigh-in results below. MAIN CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 8:30 p.m. ET) Gadzhi Rabadanov (155.6) vs. Kevin Lee (156) – lightweight semifinal Liz Carmouche (126) vs. Elora Dana (125) – women's flyweight semifinal Mansour Barnaoui (155.4) vs. Archie Colgan (155.6) Marcirley Alves da Silva (135.6) vs. Jake Hadley (135.8) – bantamweight semifinal Alfie Davis (155.8) vs. Brent Primus (155.8) – lightweight semifinal Mando Gutierrez (136) vs. Justin Wetzell (135.8) – bantamweight semifinal PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET) Jena Bishop (125.6) vs. Katerina Shakalova (126) – women's flyweight semifinal Sarvadzhon Khamidov (136) vs. Magomed Magomedov (135.4) Antonio Caruso (155.4) vs. Vinicius Cenci (155.5) Mike Hamel (156) vs. Darragh Kelly (155.6) Ilara Joanne (124.4) vs. Saray Orozco (125.4) Alan Dominguez (170.8) vs. Nick Meck (170.2) This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Perfect weigh-in session for PFL semifinals in Wichita
