Nigerian mixed martial arts fighters Patrick Ocheme and Raphael Uchegbu have secured places in the finals of their respective Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa tournaments following the competition’s semifinal event in Casablanca, Morocco.
According to a report by Punch Sports Extra published on October 12, Ocheme advanced to the lightweight final after knocking out fellow Nigerian fighter Cornel Thompson with a body kick in the first round of their semifinal.
The bout ended at two minutes and 46 seconds, taking Ocheme’s professional record to 10 wins and one loss. Thompson’s record stood at 12 wins and four losses after the defeat.
Ocheme is scheduled to face Senegal’s Demba Seck in the final. Seck advanced after his semifinal against unbeaten Hussain Al Kurdi ended in a no-contest at 37 seconds of the first round following an accidental groin strike, according to the report.
Uchegbu, meanwhile, qualified for the bantamweight final without fighting his scheduled semifinal bout. His opponent missed weight and was ruled unable to compete.
The Nigerian fighter, whose professional record was listed as 11 wins and two losses, will face Liberia’s Dwight Joseph, who earned his place in the final after defeating Boule Godogo by split decision.
The judges scored Joseph’s contest 29–28, 29–28 and 28–29, giving him the victory by split decision, Punch Sports Extra reported.
Both Nigerian fighters had previously progressed through the Lagos leg of the tournament. Ocheme recorded a knockout victory over Cameroon’s Octave Ayinda, while Uchegbu and Thompson advanced after unanimous-decision wins in their respective contests.
The PFL Africa finals across the bantamweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions are scheduled to take place in Rwanda on December 10, according to the report.
The Casablanca event was the competition’s first show in North Africa. In the heavyweight main event, Senegal’s Abdoulaye Kane defeated Morocco’s Badr “Dastan” Medkouri by technical knockout in the first round.
Speaking after his victory, Kane said: “Winning the main event of PFL Africa in Casablanca is a moment I will never forget.”
He also praised Morocco, saying the country had welcomed and supported him as he pursued his career.
Nigeria’s Jane Osigwe also recorded a victory on the undercard, defeating Morocco’s Sanaa Mandar by unanimous decision in a catchweight bout.
With Ocheme and Uchegbu now through to their respective finals, attention will turn to their preparations for the December event, where both Nigerians will seek to finish their tournaments with divisional titles.