PFL looks to get a foothold in Africa and latch on to growing MMA fandom

South Africa has just hosted its biggest MMA event to date, and more are on the horizon thanks to the Professional Fighters League.

- By Keanan Hemmonsbey

South Africa hosted the biggest mixed martial arts (MMA) event the country has seen at the GrandWest Grand Arena in Cape Town on Saturday, 19 July.

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) had an explosive first night in Africa with both the launch of the inaugural PFL Africa event and then the PFL Champions Series following, with 13 fights during the evening.

It was a historical occasion for MMA in the country. An international fighting organisation not only hosted the biggest fighters in the world - outside the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) but also established a local foothold to display South Africa's best to the world.

South Africa has its own local MMA organisation: Elite Fighting Championship (EFC) Worldwide, founded and run by the Howarth brothers. It provides a stepping stone for regional athletes to go on to bigger organisations. UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is an example of a star. But unlike the PFL, the EFC does not have the financial power to compete and retain talent against the UFC.

One of the most distinguished woman stars in MMA, England's Dakota Ditcheva who has an undefeated 15-0 record competes and recently resigned for the PFL despite interest from Dana White's UFC.

Ditcheva featured in the co-main event on Saturday in Cape Town and completely overpowered Hawaii's Sumiko Inaba in their flyweight bout, eventually winning by judges' decision. "That's the best walkout I've ever had," an appreciative Ditcheva said after her win. She walked out to Freed from Desire by Gala, to which the boisterous local crowd sang and danced along.

Same but different

The reason for her commitment to the PFL and that of the rest of the ever-expanding roster is the work of its founder, chairperson and co-owner, Donn Davis.