Morocco is set to host one of the biggest MMA events in Africa this year after the Professional Fighters League (PFL) confirmed that PFL Africa will come to Casablanca on 10 October. The event will bring some of Africa’s top fighters to Morocco and give local athletes a chance to compete on a major international stage in front of a home crowd.
The announcement follows cooperation between Hamza El El Hachali, president of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Mixed Martial Arts, and PFL officials.
MMA has grown quickly in Morocco in recent years. More gyms have opened, participation has increased and local competitions have become more common. Organisers believe the Casablanca event can help discover and develop the next generation of African MMA talent.
Moroccan fighters are expected to play a key role in the Casablanca event. Among the country’s best-known names are lightweight standout Salah Eddine Hamli, veteran fighter Badreddine Diani and experienced competitor Abderrahman Errachidy, all of whom compete under the PFL banner.
The event is part of the PFL’s wider expansion across the world. The promotion already operates regional leagues in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa through PFL MENA. Its African project began taking shape in 2024 before launching its first competitive season in 2025.
PFL Africa uses an eight-fighter tournament format across several weight classes, including heavyweight, welterweight, featherweight and bantamweight. The Casablanca card follows previous events in Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, as well as a major semi-final event in Kigali, Rwanda.
The project is led by former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who serves as chairman and equity owner of PFL Africa. He has been one of the main figures behind efforts to grow the sport across the continent.
Several fighters have already stood out during the league’s first season.
In the welterweight division, South Africa’s Peace Nguphane will face Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança in a semi-final after impressive wins in the opening round. Nigeria’s David Samuel will take on Guinea-Bissau’s Rivaldo Pereira in the other semi-final.
Nigeria’s Patrick “Star Boi” Ocheme has become one of the tournament’s biggest names in the lightweight division after scoring a flying-knee knockout in Lagos. He remains in the title race alongside Demba Seck and Hussain Al Kurdi.
In bantamweight, South Africa’s Nkosi Ndebele is among the leading contenders after a major victory in a main event bout. Undefeated Algerian-Canadian Karim Henniene and Boule Godogo have also reached the semi-finals.
