Yabna N’tchala comes from behind to score finish and PFL Africa Welterweight Tournament Championship

Shido Boris Esperanca is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who picked up regional titles at both super lightweight and welterweight. He has won five straight, including a first-round finish of Tyler Hill in his August 2024 PFL debut. He reached tonight’s final with first-round finishes of Ibrahima Mane and Ayinda Octave.

Yabna N’tchala is a jiu-jitsu brown belt and Muay Thai black belt who has experience in amateur boxing, kickboxing, and grappling events. Seven of N’tchala’s 13 wins have come inside the distance, and he enters tonight with a three-fight win streak. He reached tonight’s final with decision wins over Sanon Sadeck and Emilios Dassi.

Who will be the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament Champion at Welterweight?

Round 1

The two go to the center. Esperanca on the front foot. N'tchala with a left hand. Low kick by Esperanca. Low kick by N'tchala. Esperanca comes forward and we have a clinch battle against the fence. Esperanca trips N'tchala, and we’ve got a takedown. Esperanca trying to work his way into mount. Esperanca with right hands, while N'tchala looks to use his guard and get butterfly hooks in to get himself back up. A couple of strong shots from Esperanca. N'tchala trying to create space.

Strong hammerfists from Esperanca. Half-guard for Esperanca now. Right hooks from Esperanca as N'tchala looks to sit himself up against the fence. Elbows from Esperanca. Esperanca gets up as N'tchala tries to push him away. Stack position. N'tchala tries for upkicks but Esperanca comes back down with a strong right hand. A series of left hands by Esperanca, as he works his way into a side control. More left hands from Esperanca. Big left elbows from Esperanca. Another couple of strong elbows from Esperanca. N'tchala trying for a leg lock. Low kick by N'tchala on the ground. Small leg kick from Esperanca.

Round 2

N'tchala with a low kick. Left hand from Esperanca. A high kick from N'tchala is blocked. Right hand by Esperanca. Leg kick from N'tchala. Esperanca misses on the right body shot. Leg kick by Esperanca. Right head kick by Esperanca just misses. Esperanca the pressuring fighter here. Front kick by Esperanca to the body. Body kick by N'tchala, but it’s caught by Esperanca. Esperanca now lands with dirty boxing, as N'tchala tries to defend the takedown. Right hand by Esperanca after the separation.

Right hand by Esperanca. Spinning attack by N'tchala misses, and he gives his back up, leading to Esperanca easily getting the takedown and getting a head start for back control. Esperanca riding the back. Right hands from Esperanca. Esperanca strongly controls the action. N'tchala now in the seated position against the fence, with Esperanca on him. Small right hands from N'tchala. Esperanca seems a little fatigued as he focuses on positioning over ground-and-pound.

Round 3

N'tchala with a left to the body. Left hand by N'tchala just misses. Esperanca moving slower here. Leg kick by N'tchala. Low kick by Esperanca. Low kick by N'tchala. One-two miss for N'tchala. Low kick by N'tchala, and he avoids a takedown attempt by Esperanca. Leg kick and a punch by N'tchala. Right hand by Esperanca, and N'tchala responds in kind. Esperanca goes for a takedown near the fence. N'tchala defends it, and we’ve got a clinch battle against the SmartCage. N'tchala works his way off the fence.

Low kicks from Esperanca. Body kick by N'tchala, and Esperanca goes for a takedown. N'tchala lands an elbow, and it looks like it hurt Esperanca! N'tchala looks for a guillotine, but he abandons it and lands more strong elbows! We’ve got a separation now. Esperanca’s hands are down, and he seems out of it! Another takedown attempt, and now N'tchala is the one putting pressure on Esperanca! Strong knee by N'tchala in this clinch against the fence. N'tchala scores the takedown, and now he’s the one delivering some ground-and-pound! The momentum has certainly changed at this point!

Wait a minute! Esperanca HAS QUIT!!! HE’S QUIT ON HIS STOOL! HE’S NOT COMING OUT FOR THE FOURTH ROUND!

NO MORE!

Shido Boris Esperança does not answer the bell! Yabna N’tchala is your 2025 @PFLAfrica Welterweight Champion!#PFLBenin LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/UlSxF7JpFq

— PFL Africa (@PFLAfrica) December 20, 2025

From going down 0-2 to scoring the finish, Yabna N’tchala is the 2025 PFL Africa Welterweight Tournament Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Yabna N'tchala def. Shido Boris Esperanca via third-round TKO (fighter retirement, 5:00)