Costello Van Steenis claimed one of the more improbable title fight wins at PFL Road to Dubai: Cape Town and PFL Africa Saturday from Cape Town, South Africa.
Van Steenis became the new PFL middleweight champion when he locked in a rear-naked choke on Johnny Eblen and earned the submission with just nine seconds left in the five-round bout. The loss was the first in 17 bouts for Eblen.
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Dakota Ditcheva overcame a hand injury to remain perfect with a decision win vs. Sumiko Inaba in the co-main event. Other main card winners included AJ McKee, Artur Zaynukov and Corey Anderson.
The 2025 PFL Africa Tournament continues on August 9 with action in the featherweight and welterweight divisions.
PFL Champions Series Road to Dubai: Cape Town Results:
Costello van Steenis (17-3) def. Johnny Eblen (16-1) via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:51 of round five
Dakota Ditcheva (15-0) def. Sumiko Inaba (8-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-24)
AJ McKee (23-2) def. Akhmed Magomedov (11-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Artur Zaynukov (16-4) def. Takeshi Izumi (6-4) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Corey Anderson (19-6, 1 NC) def. Denis Goltsov (36-9) via TKO (strikes) at 3:28 of round two
2025 PFL Africa Cape Town First Round Results:
Nkosi Ndebele (9-3) def. Mahmoud Atef (5-3) via TKO (strikes) at 4:50 of round one
Maxwell Djantou Nana (7-1) def. Mickael Groguhe (6-3) via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-25)
Boule Godogo (4-0) def. Shannon van Tonder (7-3) via split decision (30-26, 29-27, 28-29)
Justin Clarke (3-0) def. Jashell Ticha Awa (3-2) via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round one
Karim Henniene (5-0) def. Asiashu Tshitamba (6-5) via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
Joffie Houlton (8-4) def. Abdoulaye Kane (3-1) via DQ (Illegal Knee) at 0:40 of round one
Simbarashe Hokonya (6-0) def. Frans Mlambo (15-7) via unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 30-25)
Abraham Bably (6-2) def. Paul-Emmanuel Gnaze (8-6) via KO (punch) at 4:59 of round one
Juliet Ukah (7-0) def. Ceileigh Niedermayr (3-3) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
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