Nkosi Ndebele is a striking specialist from South Africa who has already shown prowess with a regional bantamweight title. Ndebele won six of his first seven bouts before engaging in a trilogy with Jose Torres, winning the latter two fights. He now enters tonight off a decision loss to Nicholas Hwende in December.

 

Mahmoud Atef, who made his professional MMA debut in January 2021, is a finisher – only his second pro MMA bout went to the judges, and three of his eight fights thus far have lasted less than a minute. Atef is a striking specialist from Egypt who fights out of Golden Boy Team. Atef has won two straight and three of four, knocking out Issa Salem in September.

 

Which of these fighters will clinch the final PFL Africa Semifinal spot at bantamweight?

 

 

Round 1

 

Atef with a low kick. Spinning back kick by Atef. Low kick from Ndebele. Low kick misses for Atef. Ndebele with a kick of his own. Ndebele presses Atef into the fence now. Ndebele lands some low knees. Atef now reverses the position and tries to control the pace before Ndebele breaks away. Reach-in punch by Atef. Right hands from Atef as he presses Ndebele. Ndebele with an inside shot as he reverses. Ndebele scores a takedown, looking to use side control.

 

A couple of knees from Ndebele. Right hand to the body by Ndebele. Another body shot by Ndebele. Ndebele adjusts and gets into half-guard, trying to do damage. Ndebele looking to create space before finding the space to do some heavy ground-and-pound damage. Ndebele is unrelenting and Atef is not adjusting. Fight is over!

 

 

Nkosi Ndebele gets the job done with a first-round finish and moves on!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Nkosi Ndebele def. Mahmoud Atef via first-round TKO (punches, 4:50)