CASABLANCA, Morocco (October 10, 2026) – Professional Fighters League (PFL) made its historic debut in Morocco on Saturday, bringing PFL Africa: Casablanca to the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, Morocco, for a night of tournament semifinals and showcase bouts featuring leading talent from across the continent. The event marked PFL Africa’s first show in North Africa.
In the heavyweight (265 lbs) main event, Senegal’s Abdoulaye Kane (6-2) faced Morocco’s Badr “Dastan” Medkouri(9-4) in front of Medkouri’s home crowd. Kane pressured early with heavy kicks and controlled the opening round and then maintained heavy pressure on the ground. The Senegalese athlete rained down a series of punches and elbows from full mount to earn a TKO in round 1.
“Winning the main event of PFL Africa in Casablanca is a moment I will never forget”, said Kane. “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, supported me, and gave me the strength to keep chasing my dreams. To fight here, in front of my people, and come out victorious is an incredible feeling. I came into this fight knowing the responsibility I was carrying on my shoulders. I wanted to show everyone the result of years of sacrifice, hard work, discipline, and dedication. Every training session, every difficult moment, and every sacrifice brought me to this night.
I want to thank my coaches, my team, my family, and everyone who has believed in me since day one. Your support gives me the motivation to keep pushing my limits and becoming a better fighter every single day. This victory is not only mine. It belongs to everyone who stood behind me and believed in my journey. Winning in Casablanca makes it even more special.”
In the featherweight (145 lbs) co-main event, Morocco’s Taha Bendaoud (5-3) met Algeria’s Yanis Ghemmouri (14-4). Bendaoud and Ghemmouri traded kicks for takedowns early. However, the smooth counter-striking and top control from Ghemmouri proved a game-changer as he took a unanimous decision victory.
The welterweight (170 lbs) tournament produced two finalists. Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança (13-2) earned a TKO with an onslaught of punches against South Africa’s Peace Nguphane (9-4), while Rivaldo Pereira (4-3) dropped a decision to the still-unbeaten David Samuel (7-0). Esperança and Samuel are set to meet in the finals and shared a face-off in the cage.
The lightweight (155 lbs) semifinals, featured an all-Nigerian matchup as Patrick Ocheme (10-1) scored a body kick TKO against Cornel Thompson (12-4), alongside Demba Seck (11-3 1 NC) against unbeaten Hussain Al Kurdi (3-0 1 NC), which ended in a no-contest due to an accidental groin strike. Seck will advance to the tournament final against Ocheme.
In the remaining bantamweight (135 lbs) semifinal, Liberia’s Dwight Joseph (17-3) out-pointed Boule Godogo (5-3). Joseph secured a place in the PFL Africa Finals against Raphael Uchegbu (11-2), who advanced to the finals as his opponent missed weight and was unable to compete.
The card also featured Moroccan and international prospects across several divisions. Reda Abdellaoui submitted Salim Mhamdi at bantamweight (135 lbs). Yabna N’Tchala took a decision loss against Mouhamed Ba in a welterweight (170 lbs) contest, Jane Osigwe defeated Sanaa Mandar at a 132-pound catchweight via decision, and Abderrahman Errachidy bested Oussama El Idrissi at lightweight (155 lbs).
PFL AFRICA: CASABLANCA RESULTS
Mohammed V Sports Complex, Casablanca, Morocco
Heavyweight (265 lbs) Main Event: Abdoulaye Kane (6-2) defeated Badr Medkouri (9-4) via TKO (punches) at 4:06 in Round 1
Featherweight (145 lbs) Co-Main Event: Yanis Ghemmouri (14-4) defeated Taha Bendaoud (5-3) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight (170 lbs) Semifinal Bout: Shido Boris Esperança (13-2) defeated Peace Nguphane (9-4) via TKO (punches) at 1:03 in round 1
Lightweight (155 lbs) Semifinal Bout: Patrick Ocheme (10-1) defeated Cornel Thompson (12-4) via knockout (body kick) at 2:46 in round 1
Welterweight (170 lbs) Semifinal Bout: David Samuel (7-0) defeated Rivaldo Pereira (4-3) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight (170 lbs) Bout: Mouhamed Ba (4-1) defeated Yabna N’Tchala (14-4-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Bantamweight (135 lbs) Bout: Reda Abdellaoui (5-0) defeated Salim Mhamdi (2-2) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:11 in round 1
Bantamweight (135 lbs) Semifinal Bout: Dwight Joseph (17-3) defeated Boule Godogo (5-3) via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Lightweight (155 lbs) Semifinal Bout: Hussain Al Kurdi (3-0 1 NC) vs. Demba Seck (11-3 1 NC) ended in a No Contest (groin strike) at 0:37 in round 1
Catchweight (132 lbs) Bout: Jane Osigwe (6-4) defeated Sanaa Mandar (3-3) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Lightweight (155 lbs) Bout: Abderrahman Errachidy (6-2) defeated Oussama El Idrissi (3-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
