PFL Africa is gearing up to launch its inaugural event in Nigeria on June 13, with Lagos designated as the host city for what is being promoted as the most significant Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) occasion in West African history.
PFL Africa’s Nigerian Debut
The highly anticipated event will unfold at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos. The fight card will spotlight the opening rounds of the PFL Africa bantamweight and lightweight tournaments, complemented by exhibition matches designed to showcase prominent regional fighters. This move into Nigeria represents a crucial stride for the PFL’s African division, which commenced operations in 2025 with events in South Africa and continued its 2026 schedule in Pretoria. The expansion into Nigeria signifies the promotion’s commitment to broadening its reach across multiple African markets.
Furthermore, this venture capitalizes on a burgeoning fanbase, fueled by the international success of Nigerian MMA stars like Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya, and PFL’s dedicated efforts in discovering and nurturing African talent.
Headlining the Lagos event is Nigeria’s own Wasi “The Nigerian Jaguar” Adeshina (10-3) in a featherweight showcase bout against Spain’s Ignacio “Nacho” Campos (7-2). Adeshina stands as a key homegrown draw, seizing the opportunity to compete on home soil after previous African events were primarily held in South African venues such as Pretoria and Johannesburg. Campos, entering the fight on a winning streak following a recent victory at PFL Madrid, brings valuable experience from the European circuit and existing involvement within the PFL system this season.
The co-main event will shift the spotlight to the lightweight tournament, featuring a first-round matchup between Nigeria’s Patrick “Star Boi” Ocheme (8-1) and Cameroon’s Octave “The Bantu Warrior” Ayinda (7-1). Ocheme is already a familiar face to PFL Africa audiences, having headlined the Johannesburg card in 2025. There, he secured a decision win over Mohamed Camara in featherweight tournament action, solidifying his status as one of West Africa’s top emerging prospects. Ayinda enters the tournament with an equally impressive record, representing Cameroon in a bout that aligns perfectly with PFL Africa’s objective of pitting continental athletes against each other in significant tournament bouts.
Elias Schulze, General Manager of PFL Africa, hailed the Lagos event as a landmark occasion. He emphasized Nigeria’s potent blend of fervent fan passion, rich cultural heritage, and abundant fighting talent. Schulze views the June date as an opportunity to elevate African MMA onto a global stage through the PFL’s distinctive tournament format and extensive broadcast network.
The event is slated to be broadcast across the continent via SuperSport in English-speaking regions and Canal+ for French-speaking audiences, thereby extending the reach of this Nigerian debut beyond the arena and into homes throughout West and Central Africa. With additional bouts for the Lagos lineup yet to be announced, PFL Africa is positioning June 13 as both a declaration of its dedication to the region and a launchpad for the next generation of Nigerian and African MMA contenders.
