PFL Africa touches down in Kigali, Rwanda, this weekend, with the East African nation taking part in host to a number of the continent’s most interesting up-and-coming MMA abilities. Headlining the occasion is a semi-final featherweight conflict between Nigeria’s Patrick Ocheme and Burkina Faso’s Abdoul Razac Sankara.
The electrifying Sankara booked his ticket to Kigali with a shocking first-round KO victory over the Congo’s Shadrick Dju Yemba at PFL Africa 2 again in August.
On his promotional debut, Sankara, who entered the PFL as an alternate, made followers sit up and take discover after touchdown a picture-perfect query mark kick that despatched Yemba crashing to the canvas. It was the kind of strike that fighters dream about and rapidly racked up hundreds of on-line views.
Nevertheless, for these acquainted with Sankara’s background, the strike was no shock, because the 24-year-old is a adorned Muay Thai fighter with nationwide and AML world titles, now aiming to take the MMA world by storm in 2025.
“It was wonderful for me, I imply, I don’t know how one can clarify this in phrases, but it surely was wonderful,” Sankara defined, talking to LowKickMMA about his win over Yemba.
Born in Burkina Faso, Sankara lives in Côte d’Ivoire however trains in Lomé, the capital of Togo, at Pitbull Fitness center. He fell in love with fight sports activities as a youth, and whereas boys his age dreamed of turning into footballers, martial arts was at all times Sankara’s ardour.
“Since I used to be youthful, I simply appreciated preventing. I didn’t know how one can play soccer, however I simply love preventing. However once I was youthful, I didn’t dream of being a fighter. However once I began coaching and did nicely, I made a decision to be a fighter. I really feel good doing this, and it has turn into a giant dream.”
Standing reverse Sankara when the cage doorways shut this weekend shall be a fighter thought of one of many favourites to take out the inaugural PFL Africa Featherweight Title. South Africa-based Ocheme comes into this bout on a five-fight successful streak, with three of these victories coming through KO.
Nevertheless, whereas Sankara respects his opponent, he’s assured he has what it takes to maneuver on to the finals.
‘”I noticed many, many movies of him. He’s not too dangerous. He is an efficient fighter, however I’m the most effective,” Sankara mentioned.
“So for me, it’s nearly time, and now it’s my time. It’s Sankara’s time.”
