Yabna N’tchala survives knockdown and near stoppage, controls latter two rounds for decision win and advance to Finals

Yabna N’tchala is a Muay Thai black belt and Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt who has participated across all disciplines in combat sports. N’tchala is 12-2-1 with seven finishes, entering his PFL debut this past summer with four straight finishes to his name. N’tchala reached the semifinals tonight with a decision win over Sanon Sadeck.

Emilios Dassi is a fighter who represents the Francis Ngannou Foundation. None of his fights have gone the distance yet. Dassi, in fact, enters this semifinal off a scary highlight knockout of Osvaldo Benedito.

Who will move on to the PFL Africa Welterweight Finals?

Round 1

Low kick by N’tchala as he moves along the outside. Dassi flashes the knee. Low kick attacks from N’tchala. Another low kick on the inside by N’tchala. Dassi explodes forward, landing a big right hand. We’ve got a clinch battle now, and Dassi presses N’tchala briefly into the fence. N’tchala now has Dassi against the fence after some more clinch trading. A couple of knees to the body by Dassi. N’tchala with a knee. Knee by Dassi. Dassi with some power shots on the separation.

Low kick by Dassi. Strong, forward combination by Dassi. Left hand by N’tchala. N’tchala misses a right hand. One-two by N’tchala. Low kick by N’tchala. Front kick by N’tchala. Low kick by N’tchala. N’tchala comes forward with a combination, but Dassi gets a hold of him and turns him in a clinch briefly. Low kick by N’tchala. Right hand by N’tchala inside. Strong head kick and N’tchala is down! Dassi lands big right hands as he looks for the finish! N’tchala is looking for his legs around an arm, searching for an armbar. The action is stopped because the referee says N’tchala is grabbing the glove! The bell sounds. The fight goes on, but N’tchala receives a hard warning for grabbing the gloves.

Round 2

Front kick by Dassi. Dassi pressures N’tchala to the fence, and the two exchange. Strong head kick by Dassi. Dassi gets a hold of N’tchala and trips him for the takedown. N’tchala gets up, but Dassi continues to have control. N’tchala warned for grabbing the fence. Both men are trying to search for their own leg locks. Dassi with a fence grab, but N’tchala is able to get him down. N’tchala working in the top position.

N’tchala is in solid top control. Referee warning for more action in the position. N’tchala is through Dassi’s guard and lands some solid elbows. Good right hand by N’tchala. N’tchala is trying to get around the legs, while Dassi looks for a sweep. The referee with another warning for activity. Dassi is holding up N’tchala’s offense. N’tchala with a right elbow. N'tchala is thinking about passing, but Dassi is trying to defend it. N’tchala looks to be heavy on top.

Round 3

Left hand by N’tchala. Front kick to the body by N’tchala. Low kick by N’tchala. Strong body kick by Dassi. Dassi tries to pressure N’tchala and cut off the fence. Round kick by Dassi. Big right hand by Dassi. Knee and a right hand by N’tchala, and he presses Dassi into the fence. N’tchala continues to chase him against the fence as he looks for a takedown. Dassi warned for shots to the back of the head. The referee warns N’tchala to use the position. Dassi is looking to use the arm for a kimura grip. The referee warns again, and N’tchala responds with a takedown.

N’tchala landing with the right hand. Dassi looks for a kimura, followed by an armbar, but N’tchala works around both. N’tchala on top in half guard. N’tchala sitting high on the hip, pressuring in side control. Ref calls for more action. Elbows by N’tchala. N’tchala trying to work his way up to the neck as Dassi gives up the back. N’tchala looks for the last-second choke in the closing seconds of the fight. He won’t get it, but he ends the fight on top landing punches.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Yabna N’tchala def. Emilios Dassi via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) in a Welterweight Semifinal Bout.