Shido Boris Esperança Puts On Brutal Beating As He Earns PFL Africa Title Opportunity

Shido Boris Esperança looks to add PFL gold after winning super lightweight and welterweight titles on the regional circuit. Esperança, the second-ever fighter signed to PFL Africa, has won four straight and has finishes in eight of his 10 victories. After a finish in his PFL debut, Esperança scored a quick submission of Ibrahima Mane in his opening-round bout this past summer.

Octave Ayinda, a wrestling specialist, went 7-0 as an amateur and now finds himself 6-0 as a pro. Ayinda has four finishes to his name. Ayinda submitted British Boloyoang in their first-round battle this past summer.

Who will go on to take on Yabna N'Tchala for the inaugural PFL Africa welterweight title?

Round 1

No love lost between these two. Right into the action with a clinch, as the two trade. Big left hand from Ayinda drops Esperança! Esperança scrambles and he manages to get to the back of Ayinda! He's on the back! Left hands from Esperança, and now he’s got a body triangle in! Esperança could be looking for the choke here. Ayinda tries to turn his way out of it, and he does! Esperança has a hold of him still, however, but Ayinda scrambles back to his feet and into a clinch control battle. Esperança gets him back down and threatens the choke again. Esperança is still in back control as he tries to flatten Ayinda out.

Esperança landing from back control from the top. Esperança stays heavy with his pressure from the top. Esperança flattens him out and lands some strong punches. Ayinda turns to his back and Esperança threatens an arm-triangle choke. Esperança continues to rain down. He continues to rain down shots, and finally the referee steps in to stop the fight! He gets some last words in on his fallen foe before celebrating the victory!

SHIDO GETS THE LAST WORD 👀

Shido Boris Esperança gets First Round TKO over Ayinda Octave in this heated PFL Africa Welterweight Semifinal

Shido Boris Esperança vs Yabna N’Tchalá will be your PFL Africa Welterweight Final!#PFLRwanda pic.twitter.com/bKKOEaVoxl

— PFL Africa (@PFLAfrica) October 18, 2025

Shido Boris Esperança will have the chance to call himself the inaugural PFL Africa Welterweight Champion next!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Shido Boris Esperança def. Octave Ayinda via first-round TKO (3:46) in a Welterweight Semifinal Bout.