Octave Ayinda advances with bizarre first-round verbal submission

British Boloyoang has competed in kickboxing competitions and has bases in boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo. Boloyoang, who says his BJJ and knockout power are his strengths, has scored finishes in all three of his victories thus far. Boloyoang comes into this bout off a second-round knockout of Christian Omokhobhio in November.

Octave Ayinda began training MMA in 2018 and went 7-0 as an amateur before turning pro in 2022. Ayinda, who has a wrestling background, comes into this bout a perfect 5-0 with three finishes. He last fought in June 2024, scoring a first-round TKO of Emmanuel Osuji.

Which of these two will come out on top in this Welterweight First Round matchup?

Round 1

Boloyoang flashing the right jab. Low kick from Ayinda. Ayinda shoots in but can’t get the takedown. Boloyoang goes after him with a guillotine attempt! Ayinda appears to have escaped, and he’s in side control now. A series of left hands from Ayinda. A series of left hands from Ayinda. Left hand by Ayinda. Some ground shots by Ayinda as he works around Boloyoang’s guard. Wait, the referee is stepping in? He’s waving it off! What happened? Looking at the replay, it looks like a verbal submission! Wow!

Octave Ayinda makes fairly easy work of British Boloyoang and moves on to the Welterweight Semifinals!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Octave Ayinda defeats British Boloyoang by 1st round submission (Verbal Submission, 1:55) in the PFL Africa Welterweight (170) Tournament. Ayinda will face the winner of Shido Boris Esperanca vs. Ibrahima Mane in the Semifinals.