PFL Africa is scheduled to host its inaugural event in Nigeria on June 13th, with Lagos designated as the location for what the organization proclaims will be the most significant MMA showcase in West African history.
PFL Africa’s Nigerian Debut
The event will be held at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos and will include the initial rounds of the PFL Africa bantamweight and lightweight tournaments. Additionally, there will be exhibition fights featuring prominent local fighters. For PFL Africa, which initiated its operations on the continent in 2025 with events in South Africa and continued its 2026 schedule in Pretoria, expanding into Nigeria represents a crucial step in broadening its reach across various African markets. This move also capitalizes on a growing fan base, fueled by the international success of Nigerian MMA stars like Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya, and PFL’s own commitment to discovering talent from Africa.
Headlining the Lagos event will be Nigeria’s own Wasi “The Nigerian Jaguar” Adeshina (10-3) in a featherweight showcase bout against Spain’s Ignacio “Nacho” Campos (7-2). Adeshina is anticipated to be a major draw for the home crowd, having the opportunity to compete on Nigerian soil after previous African events were held in South African venues. Campos, on the other hand, enters the fight with recent momentum, having secured a victory at PFL Madrid, adding a European competitor with existing experience within the PFL system this season.
The co-main event will focus on the lightweight tournament, with Nigeria’s Patrick “Star Boi” Ocheme (8-1) facing Cameroon’s Octave “The Bantu Warrior” Ayinda (7-1) in a first-round matchup. Ocheme is already recognized by PFL Africa audiences, having headlined the Johannesburg card in 2025 where he won a decision against Mohamed Camara in a featherweight tournament bout, further establishing his reputation as a top prospect in West Africa. Ayinda brings a strong record to the tournament, representing Cameroon in a bout that aligns with PFL Africa’s objective of pitting athletes from across the continent against each other in significant tournament matchups.
Elias Schulze, General Manager of PFL Africa, has labeled the Lagos event as a landmark occasion, highlighting Nigeria’s potent combination of passion, cultural richness, and fighting talent. He views the June date as an opportunity to elevate African MMA onto a global stage through the league’s tournament structure and extensive broadcast coverage.
The event is slated to be broadcast across the continent via SuperSport for English-speaking viewers and Canal+ for French-speaking audiences, extending the reach of the Nigerian debut beyond the arena into homes throughout West and Central Africa. With additional bouts for the Lagos lineup yet to be announced, PFL Africa is positioning June 13th as a definitive statement of its dedication to the region and a platform for the emergence of the next generation of Nigerian and African contenders.
