Nkosi Ndebele claims bantamweight glory as Boule Godogo falls short at PFL Africa 4. The PFL wrapped up its 2025 season on Saturday with a big night of fights, closing out the first-ever PFL Africa season. And the main event of the PFL Africa Finals in Cotonou, Benin, delivered a high-level bantamweight showdown as Nkosi Ndebele faced Boule Godogo with the PFL Africa bantamweight title on the line.
The event took place at the Sofitel Dome in Cotonou, Benin, where fighters in the bantamweight, featherweight, welterweight, and heavyweight divisions won their tournament finals and were crowned new PFL champions. Nkosi Ndebele entered the tournament with confidence, backed by strong performances earlier in the season, On 19 July 2025, at PFL Africa 1 in Cape Town, Ndebele faced Mahmoud Atef and earned a first-round TKO victory via ground-and-pound at 4:50 of Round 1, also in October 2025, during the PFL Africa 3 semifinals in Kigali, Ndebele fought Simbarashe Hokonya and secured a split decision win over three rounds these consecutive victories gave Ndebele strong momentum heading into this fight.
His opponent, Boule Godogo had a more mixed season in 2025, combining early success with a critical setback. In July 2025, at PFL Africa 1 in Cape Town, Godogo defeated Shannon van Tonder via split decision over three rounds. In October 2025, in the PFL Africa 3 semifinals in Kigali, he faced Karim Henniene and suffered a third-round KO loss via flying knee at 4:21, a setback that tested his resilience but ultimately set the stage for redemption in the final.
Despite the semifinal defeat, Godogo earned a spot in the PFL Africa 4 final against Ndebele, giving him a chance to compete for the inaugural bantamweight title.
The two fighters made way into the cage and round one started with Ndebele throwing a front kick and snapping a clean left hand straight down the middle that landed early on Godogo. He followed it up with a quick head kick that rocked Godogo. Ndebele continued to stay aggressive and landed a sharp combination then pulled away from a takedown attempt. He fired another high kick that stuned Godogo, who caught the leg and tried to wrestle him down. Ndebele reversed it and took Godogo to the mat instead.
On the ground, Ndebele had Godogo on his knees and started dropping left hands. Godogo held on tight to slow the damage, so Ndebele switched to knee strikes to the shoulder and side. Godogo managed to survive the attack and sat up, but his nose was clearly broken and bleeding heavily from the damage. As soon as Godogo got back to his feet, Ndebele dumped him back to the mat and took his back. Godogo grabbed at Ndebele’s wrists to defend and used the moment Ndebele looked to get his hooks in to scramble. In the exchange, Godogo turned onto his back, and Ndebele settled in with knee-on-belly, looking to move from half guard to mount.
Throughout the position, Ndebele keept landing steady left hands to wear Godogo down. He postured up and dropped a brutal elbow, then followed with more elbows as Godogo tried to sit up and escape. The round ended with Ndebele raining down a few more sharp elbows.
Round two started with Ndebele throwing kicks immediately, landing a few before Godogo fully attempted for a takedown. They scrambled, roll through it, and both fighters got back to their feet. Then Ndebele fired a brutal front kick straight to Godogo’s body. Godogo’s face instantly changed from focused to pure pain because of the damage and even gestured with his hands as if asking for a time-out, then collapsed to the canvas in agony. Referee Basson steps in and waved off the fight.
Ndebele didn’t have to throw another punch, he knew it’s over and walked away with his arms raised. With the win, Ndebele pocketed $100,000 and wrapped the gold belt around his waist. After the fight, he said big things are coming next year, as he planed to move on to the PFL main stage and leave the Africa league behind, representing himself, his team, his family, and his country.
The co-main event of the night also delivered fireworks, as Yabna N’Tchala claimed the 170-pound title with a third-round retirement TKO over Shido Boris Esperanca. Another short but intresting fight of the night was the one between Abraham Baby and Justin Clarke. Abraham Bably wasted no time but needed just 21 seconds to knock out Justin Clarke and seize the heavyweight championship, while Wasi Adeshina captured the featherweight crown by TKO after a nasty cut forced a stoppage against Alain Majorique in their fight
Full PFL Africa 4 results
Nkosi Ndebele def. Boule Godogo via TKO (body kick) – Round 2, 0:27 – for bantamweight tournament final
Yabna N’Tchala def. Shido Boris Esperanca via TKO (retirement) – Round 3, 5:00 – for welterweight tournament final
Cornel Thompson def. Jean Do Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Abraham Bably def. Justin Clarke via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:21 – for heavyweight tournament final
Wasi Adeshina def. Alain Majorique via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 3:07 – for featherweight tournament final
Eliezer Kubanza def. Francois Mozou via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:18
Juliet Ukah def. Mariam Gaber via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:12
Styve Ngono def. Meledje Yedoh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Abdoullah Kane def. Jashell Ticha Awa via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:05
Mouhamed Ba def. Desmond Awa Tamungang via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:00
Shelda Chipito def. Miracle Andrew via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-2)
