Simbarashe Hokonya is a perfect 5-0, with one finish to his credit. “The Hawk” trains at UMF Johannesburg and made his professional MMA debut in November 2022. He last fought in June 2024, defeating Ayanda Zwane.

 

Frans Mlambo competes tonight for the first time since coming up short against Khurshed Kakhorov in the 2023 PFL Europe bantamweight finals. Mlambo, who also fought for Bellator previously, picked up karate and boxing before transitioning to MMA, having fought on the Irish national team in amateur MMA, as well as boxing and pro kickboxing. The loss to Kakhorov snapped a seven-fight win streak for the SBG Ireland product.

 

Who will move on to the bantamweight semifinals?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from Hokonya to start. Right hand from Mlambo. Right hand lands for Hokonya before he goes right for the takedown. Mlambo immediately threatens a guillotine, however. It doesn’t look under the neck but is keeping Hokonya tightly controlled. Right hand from Hokonya. Hokonya is able to get out of it and work into side control. Hokonya tries to threaten mount, but Mlambo uses his knees to prevent the advance. Knees to the side by Hokonya and hammerfists to the head by Mlambo.

 

More knees from Hokonya. Left hands from Hokonya. Another couple of knees from Hokonya. Hokonya tries to bring Mlambo down to the mat as he continues with the knees. Hokonya scores the takedown. Hokonya trying to work in side control again as Mlambo prevents mount. A couple of elbows from Hokonya. Hokonya steps over and threatens a kimura in the last 10 seconds! Mlambo gives a thumbs up, however, and survives.

 

 

Round 2

 

Brief exchange to start. Combination by Mlambo as he slips away. Low kick from Hokonya. Hokonya gets by a one-two from Mlambo and scores an easy takedown. Mlambo tries to grab a hold of Hokonya’s neck again, but it’s no use. Hokonya targeting one of Mlambo’s arms again. Right hands from Hokonya. Body shots from Hokonya. Strong left elbow from Hokonya as he’s now working in side control again.

 

Hokonya heavy on the hips as he works around Mlambo’s guard. Hokonya trying to pressure upstairs while Mlambo looks to neutralize his attack with his guard. Pair of left hands from Hokonya. Mlambo looks to get himself free – only for Hokonya to use arm pressure to get right to the other side of Mlambo! Brief exchange on the ground. Both land knees to the body. Elbow from Hokonya, who has completely tied Mlambo up on the ground. Mlambo lands an elbow on the back of Hokonya’s head, and time is called! Hokonya seems to be in pain on the ground.

 

Hokonya can continue, however, Mlambo will be deducted one point for the illegal shot. No strikes are thrown in the last few seconds of the second round.

 

 

Round 3

 

The two hug things out. Front kick from Hokonya. Strong right hand from Mlambo. Another right hand from Mlambo. Hokonya lands a kick, but it lands low and time is called again! The fight resumes about a minute later. Right hand from Mlambo misses. Low kick by Hokonya. Low kick by Hokonya again. Mlambo with a right hand. Mlambo goes in, but Hokonya scores another takedown. Mlambo tries to scramble to his feet but is pressed into the fence by Hokonya. Hokonya with a quick back take.

 

Mlambo gets his back away, however, Hokonya is still on him solidly. Ref scolds Hokonya for his toes in the fence. Mlambo with some head strikes, but he’s warned about the back of the head again. Hokonya adjusts and gets Mlambo’s back flat on the mat. Mlambo warned to watch the back of the head. Small inside shots from Mlambo. Ref calls for more action. Hokonya with a series of knees to the body. Hokonya continues his pressure. Ref calls for more activity. Hokonya with a couple of knees and some strikes. Mlambo scrambles his way back to the feet with under a minute. Hokonya stumbles Mlambo with a right! Mlambo lands a right to answer back! Low kick by Hokonya.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Simbarashe Hokonya defeats Frans Mlambo by unanimous decision (30-26x2, 30-25) in the PFL Africa Bantamweight (135) Tournament. Hokonya will face the winner of Nkosi Ndebele vs. Mahmoud Atef in the Semifinals.

  • Hokonya moves his undefeated career record to 6-0

  • Hokonya wins his PFL debut after 5 fights with EFC

  • Hokonya represents Zimbabwe