History was made not on Nigerian soil, but by a Nigerian fighter, as Wasi “The Nigerian Jaguar” Adeshina was crowned the inaugural Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa Featherweight Champion on Saturday, December 20.
Adeshina secured the title and a life-changing $100,000 prize with a second-round technical knockout victory over Cameroon’s Alain Majorique at the Sofitel Dome in Cotonou.
The landmark event, which marked PFL Africa’s debut in the Benin Republic, saw Adeshina overcome a competitive start to win via doctor’s stoppage in the second round after opening a severe cut near Majorique’s left eye.
An emotional Adeshina dedicated his victory to his nation, stating, “I am very humble and just happy to make Nigeria proud… everyone at home in Nigeria can celebrate with me.”
Adeshina led a strong showing for Nigerian fighters on the card, with three of the four Nigerian competitors winning their bouts. The event crowned the first champions in PFL Africa history, with each of the four tournament winners taking home a $100,000 prize.
The Historic Inaugural PFL Africa Champions:
| Country | Fighter | Weight Class | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | Wasi Adeshina | Featherweight | TKO, Rd 2 |
| Ivory Coast | Abraham Bably | Heavyweight | KO, Rd 1 (0:21) |
| Guinea-Bissau | Yabna N’Tchala | Welterweight | TKO, Rd 3 |
| South Africa | Nkosi Ndebele | Bantamweight | KO, Rd 2 |
The launch of PFL Africa represents a major investment in the continent’s sporting infrastructure, and Adeshina’s triumph serves as a powerful symbol of Nigerian athletic excellence on a new, prestigious pan-African stage.
