Rwandan music star Itahiwacu Bruce, widely known as Bruce Melodie, has been announced among the headline performers at the upcoming Professional Fighters League Africa (PFL Africa) Championship to be held in Kigali.
This historic event, blending Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and entertainment, is set for Saturday, October 18, 2025, at BK Arena.
PFL Africa was created to promote professional MMA talent across the continent and provide athletes with a platform to showcase their skills internationally. For the first time, Rwanda will host the PFL Africa Semifinals, marking a milestone for the country and the sport on the continent.
The tournament will feature 11 bouts: eight semifinal clashes, two alternate bouts, and one showcase fight. Rwanda will be represented by James Opio, a rising star in the Featherweight division, who will face Uganda’s Isaac Omeda in what promises to be one of the night’s most thrilling encounters for local fans.
Other highly anticipated fights include Nigeria’s Patrick Ocheme versus Burkina Faso’s Abdoul Razac Sankara in the Featherweight division, and South Africa’s Nkosi Ndebele against Zimbabwe’s Simbarashe Hokonya in Bantamweight. The Heavyweight category will pit Côte d’Ivoire’s Abraham Bably against Nigeria’s Joffie Houlton, as well as Cameroon’s Maxwell Djantou Nana versus South Africa’s Justin Clarke.
In Welterweight, Guinea-Bissau’s Yabna N’tchala will take on Cameroon’s Emilios Dassi, while another Bantamweight clash will feature Boule Godogo of the Democratic Republic of Congo against Algeria’s Karim Henniene. Additional fighters such as Nigeria’s Wasi Adeshina and Liberia’s Dwight Joseph will also be in action.
Beyond the fights, organizers confirmed on their X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday night, September 25, that fans will enjoy a major music show. Bruce Melodie, alongside other international artists, will electrify the crowd in a fusion of sports and entertainment.
Tickets are already on sale at The Kigali edition adds to Rwanda’s growing reputation as a hub for world-class sporting and entertainment events, following PFL Africa competitions previously hosted in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Winners from the semifinals will advance to the finals in Benin this December, where the first-ever PFL Africa champions will be crowned.
This championship is expected to draw thousands of MMA enthusiasts and music fans alike, with a special spotlight on Rwanda’s James Opio and the much-anticipated performance by Bruce Melodie.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
