Abdoulaye Kane is a striking specialist who made his MMA debut last year. The Senegal native has scored finishes in all three fights, with his first two fights combined lasting under two minutes. He enters tonight off a second-round submission of Kassoum Kone in December.

 

Joffie Houlton is a former regional title challenger who has not gone past the second round at all thus far in victory nor defeat. Houlton, who trains at SBG Manchester, has won two straight and six of his last eight. Houlton enters tonight off a first-round KO of Azamat Aboukhanov in February.

 

Who will move on to the PFL Africa Heavyweight Semifinals?

 

 

Round 1

 

Both men throw jabs. Houlton throws a right hand. There’s an exchange, and Kane appears to have stunned Houlton! Kane steps back and THROWS A KNEE AT A GROUNDED HOULTON! Time out is called! Kane had a finish right in his grasp, and now it may be for nothing. Houlton is down on the mat, seated up and bleeding.

 

And now replay shows the pain comes from an eye poke, not a punch! That’s two fouls by Kane!

 

 

Doctor has ruled Houlton cannot continue, and Kane is DQ’d!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Joffie Houlton def. Abdoulaye Kane via first-round DQ (illegal strikes, 0:40)