Ground game leads Wasi Adeshina to successful finish, Semifinals spot

Despite his kickboxing background, Wasi Adeshina considers himself an all-around fighter. The Nigerian native who fights out of Sweden Top Team is on a three-fight win streak and seven of his last eight. He last fought in February 2024, scoring a decision over Luka Giorgadze.

Jean Jacques Lubaya is a former featherweight tournament champion who is a striking specialist. A fighter who found success in his native Congo in karate and jiu-jitsu, Lubaya considers his strengths to be his discipline and ability to adapt. Lubaya has finishes in five of his nine wins, but he enters tonight off his first loss, dropping a decision to Ken Sekeletu last year.

Who will move on in thePFL Africa Featherweight Tournament?

Round 1

The two touch gloves. Low kick from Lubaya. Another low kick. He shoots in, but Adeshina stuffs the takedown. Lubaya gets back up and presses Adeshina into the fence. Knee by Adeshina. Adeshina reverses the position. Body kick by Lubaya on the separation. Low kick by Lubaya. Right hand drops Adeshina! Lubaya gets right on top. Lubaya lands a head kick as Adeshina gets back up. Front kick misses for Lubaya. Body lock sees Lubaya press Adeshina into the fence. Knee to the body by Adeshina. A couple of right hands from Lubaya. Knee by Adeshina. Left hand misses for Adeshina. A kick from Adeshina is caught, and Lubaya dumps him to the mat. Lubaya goes into the top position, but Adeshina reverses and gets on top. Adeshina tries to work his way into mount, and he gets in half-mount. Adeshina lands some left hands. Then some rights. Adeshina continues his ground pressure, trying to keep Lubaya down. Lubaya locks Adeshina up, but Adeshina continues to land with the right hand.

Round 2

Right hand by Lubaya. Low kick by Adeshina. Lubaya with a low kick. One-two by Lubaya. Left hand by Adeshina. Left hand by Adeshina. Lubaya presses Adeshina to the fence, but Adeshina level changes and manages to score a takedown. Adeshina works his way to mount and lands some ground-and-pound. Lubaya turns onto his stomach before returning to his back, trying to lock Lubaya down again. A series of right hands by Adeshina. Adeshina continues to land some ground strikes, doing some damage while dominating ground position.

Adeshina lands a series of hard rights. Adeshina is in half-mount now, but he’s continuing to land from up top. Some solid ground-and-pound by Adeshina. Adeshina flattens Lubaya and looks for a choke. There’s the tap!

Maybe something is in the air in Johannesburg 🇿🇦

Another finish! Wasi Adeshina gets the W with a second round rear naked choke! #PFLJoburg | LIVE NOW!
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— PFL Africa (@PFLAfrica) August 9, 2025

Wasi Adeshina showing dominance on the ground as he moves on in the PFL Africa Featherweight Tournament!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Wasi Adeshina defeats Jean Jacques Lubaya by 2nd round submission (Rear-Naked Choke, 3:14) in the PFL Africa Featherweight (145) Tournament. Adeshina will face Dwight Joseph in the Semifinals.