PFL Pretoria play-by-play, results & round scoring

Nkosi Ndebele (135.6) vs. Michele Clemente (135) Justin Clarke (245.2) vs. Abdoulaye Kane (262.7) Yabna N'Tchala (170.5) vs. Peace Nguphane (167.7) Shido Boris Esperanca (170.3) vs. Emilios Dassi (168.8) Rivaldo Pereira (169.1) vs. Kunle Lawal (170.3) Juliet Ukah (115.8) vs. Jane Osigwe (117.3) Abdelrahman Mohamed (170.9) vs. David Samuel (169.8) Abdoul Razac Sankara (154.4) vs. Aureo Cruz (155.3) Jean-Jacques Lubaya (145.6) vs. Shadrick Dju Yemba (144.6) Shannon Van Tonder (134.4) vs. Asiashu Tshitamba (135.7) Felista Mugo (116.7) vs. Annet Kiiza (112) Sherdog's live PFL Africa 1: 2026 First Round coverage will begin Friday at 12 p.m. ET.

A world class bantamweight clash headlines PFL Chicago: Tune in LIVE, Saturday, April 11 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Felista Mugo (116.7) vs. Annet Kiiza (112)

Round 1

Women’s strawweights kick off festivities in South Africa, as Mugo (5-2-1, 0-0 PFL) toes the line against Kiiza (3-1, 0-0 PFL) to open the event. Ferdinand Basson draws the officiating assignment. Kiiza refuses to touch gloves, and they get to work. Kiiza throws in combination, both with kicks and punches, but fails to control distance. Mugo clinches and secures a takedown, moving immediately to the back. Kiiza rolls but winds up in full mount. She sweeps into top position and drops ground-and-pound, mostly right hands. Mugo sets off a scramble and maneuvers into full mount once more. She transitions to the back. Absolutely frenetic pace here. Mugo flirts with a face crank and moves to full mount. They scramble to their feet. Mugo clinches and secured a body lock. They trade punches at close range while jockeying for position. Ninety seconds to go. Mugo pins her counterpart to the fence and unleashes a few left hands before they separate. Kiiza connects with a spinning backfist and backs it up with punches from both hands. Mugo clinches and shoots a series of knees to the body. Another takedown for Mugo, who lands in half guard and climbs to full mount. Kiiza explodes into another sweep in the waning seconds.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kiiza
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mugo
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mugo

Round 2

Off they go for Round 2. They trade in the center of the cage. Mugo close the distance and clinches. She secures a brief takedown but cannot control Kiiza on the ground. Mugo gets another takedown and mounts, only to get swept again. Kiiza snatches a headlock and lands a series of right hands to the head. Mugo scrambles to the back, mounts and gets reversed. Kiiza sets up in full guard. Mugo scrambles into full mount and widens her hips. She rolls for an armbar but loses position. She makes another pass at an armbar, this one much closer, but fails to procure the submission. Kiiza settles in full guard with roughly 90 seconds to go. She hammers away with left hands, encouraged by her cornermen nearby. Mugo sweeps into full mount and drops punches. Kiiza bucks but cannot free herself. More punches from Mugo, who mixes in elbows and hammerfists. She closes with a burst of punches.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mugo
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mugo
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mugo

Round 3

Anyone’s fight at the start of the third round. Strong leg kick from Kiiza. Mugo counters a wild spinning backfist with a powerful right hook. She lands a succession of follow-up shots and drives Kiiza to the ground, where she unleashes more punches. Mugo in side control. She grinds away with elbows. Kiiza seems to be fading. Mugo thinks about mount, nearly gets reversed and settles back into side control. Hammerfists to the body mixed in with elbows to the head. Mugo transitions to the back and hunts the choke before slipping back to side control. Midway through the final round. Mugo lands hammerfists to the face and continues to control her opponent. Kiiza claims full guard but continues to eat punishment. She kicks off Mungo and gets to her feet. Mugo clinches. Ninety seconds on the clock. Mugo completes a takedown and climbs to mount, withstands a scramble and takes a break. She drops punches with both hands but gets reversed. Kiiza in top position with 10 seconds to go. Time runs out.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mugo (29-28 Mugo)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mugo (30-27 Mugo)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mugo (30-27 Mugo)

The Official Result

Felista Mugo def. Annet Kiiza—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Shannon Van Tonder (134.4) vs. Asiashu Tshitamba (135.7)

Round 1

Bantamweights are next to the stage, where Van Tonder (7-3, 0-1 PFL) collides with Tshitamba (6-5, 0-1 PFL) at 135 pounds. Rich Mitchell administers the law and order. They greet each other with a customary glove touch. Tshitamba commands the center and delivers a hard low kick. Van Tonder circles on the outside. He lands a leg kick of his own. Tshitamba answers with a body kick, then connects with a one-two. Heavy body kick from Tshitamba. He follows a front kick with a leg kick, then mixes in a jab. Front kick to the body from Van Tonder. Tshitamba cuts off a takedown attempt and clinches along the fence. Midway through the first round. Tshitamba shoots a few knees to the body, then successfully defends a takedown. Tshitamba lands an elbow and breaks into open space. He stomps the thigh and flicks out his jab. Eye poke from Tshitamba gives Van Tonder a respite and offers him a chance to reset. Mitchell issues the warning and restarts them. Tshitamba far busier here. He counters a leg kick with a one-two. Tshitamba follows a left hook with a body kick, then a side kick to the solar plexus.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Tshitamba
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Tshitamba
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Tshitamba

Round 2

Van Tonder needs to switch gears if he wants to keep this competitive. Tshitamba steps forward, jabs and connects with a one-two. Van Tonder returns fire. No discernible advantage gained. Front kick to the body from Tshitamba, followed by another. Van Tonder counters a leg kick with a right hand over the top. Tshitamba continues to attack the lead leg. Sharp jab from Tshitamba followed by a body kick. Van Tonder goes nowhere with a takedown attempt. Tshitamba lets his hands go and pins his opponent to the fence. Van Tonder secures a takedown and hunts a guillotine. Tshitamba gets back to his feet and starts swinging with both hands. Leg kick from Tshitamba. Ninety seconds to go. Tshitamba steps into a straight left. Van Tonder circles to the center of the cage and dodges a left hook. Tshitamba upping the pressure late in the round, retreats and jabs the body. Mult-strike volley from Tshitamba. Van Tonder tries to fire back but finds only open air.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Tshitamba
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Tshitamba
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Tshitamba

Round 3

Tshitamba seems to have a commanding lead entering the third round. He shows no signs of playing it safe, though. He steps forward with a body kick and eats one in returns. Van Tonder fails on a takedown attempt and absorbs a series of power punches as a result. Tshitamba clinches and lands punches and elbows upstairs. They jockey for position along the fence. Tshitamba leans on Van Tonder, forcing him to carry his weight. Fatigue a real issue for Van Tonder. Mitchell warns them for inaction. Midway through the round. Tshitamba fires knees to the legs and maneuvers behind his opponent. More knees to the legs from Tshitamba. He then shoots one to the head. Van Tonder rolls into a kimura and takes top position. Tshitamba remains seated and reverses with a minute left on the clock. Might be the last gasp for Van Tonder. Tshitamba drops elbows and punches. Van Tonder hunts another kimura but goes nowhere. Tshitamba postures, maintains position and bleeds the remaining time off the clock.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Tshitamba (30-27 Tshitamba)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Tshitamba (30-27 Tshitamba)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Tshitamba (30-27 Tshitamba)

The Official Result

Asiashu Tshitamba def. Shannon Van Tonder—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Jean-Jacques Lubaya (145.6) vs. Shadrick Dju Yemba (144.6)

Round 1

They keep the undercard line moving with a featherweight tilt pitting Lubaya (9-2, 0-1 PFL) against Yemba (5-1, 0-1 PFL) at 145 pounds. Bobby Karagiannidis steps in as the third man in the cage. Lubaya active with kicks at the start. He works his way into the clinch behind a near-trip and presses Yemba to the fence before securing a takedown. Yemba gets to his feet without much trouble, clinches and lands a few knees. Beautiful foot sweep from Lubaya. Again, Yemba rises to his feet. Lubaya connects with an elbow over the top as the jockey in the clinch. Midway through the first round. Lubaya executes a throw and lands in top position. He stands and whiffs on a right hand, allowing Yemba to return to a standing position. Lubaya connects with a few left hands. Back they go to the clinch. Ninety seconds left. Lubaya separates and delivers a low kick, then another. Yemba answers with a jab, only to eat another leg kick. He snatches the Thai clinch and scores with a knee up the middle. Lubaya clinches with time running down. They trade knees before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lubaya
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Lubaya
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Lubaya

Round 2

They meet in the middle and trade. Yemba lands a low kick and evades the return fire. Lubaya operating at a slower pace and missing on the majority of his punches. Leg kick from Yemba. Lubaya connects with a right hook and a low kick. Yemba answers with an inside leg kick. Low kick from Lubaya. Not much rhythm from either man. Yemba lands a knee from the clinch and separates. Lubaya counters with a pair of rights, then swings and misses on a left hook. He lands a knee to the body. Two minutes to go. Front kick to the body from Yemba, followed by a few leg kicks. Lubaya responds with an inside leg kick. They trade jabs. Yemba mixes in a jab and a few knees to the body, followed by a leg kick. He snaps back Lubaya’s head with a left hand. Inside leg kick from Yemba. They clinch as the round closes.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yemba
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Yemba
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Yemba

Round 3

Could be a round apiece here. Yemba jabs right out of the gate. Lubaya stalks forward from his southpaw stance. Inside leg kick from Yemba. Lubaya blocks a head kick. Yemba feeds him a jab. Lubaya takes a deep breath and counters. More jabs from Yemba, who lands a right hand over the top and follows it with a knee. Lubaya whiffs on a takedown but lands a glancing right hand that draws oohs and aahs from those in attendance. Front kick to the body from Yemba, who seems to have turned the tide. He continues to find a home with his jab, with blood now flowing from his counterpart’s face. Yemba circles into open space, snatches a Thai clinch and lands a knee to the body. Lubaya looks weary. Yemba pairs his jab with an inside leg kick. Ninety seconds to go. Double jab from Yemba. Inside leg kick from Lubaya. More jabs from Yemba, who sidesteps a takedown attempt and makes Lubaya look foolish in the process. Inside leg kick from Yemba. Lubaya moves forward but misses on two right hands. Yemba clinches to close it out.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yemba (29-28 Yemba)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Yemba (29-28 Yemba)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Yemba (29-28 Yemba)

The Official Result

Shadrick Dju Yemba def. Jean-Jacques Lubaya—Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Abdoul Razac Sankara (154.4) vs. Aureo Cruz (155.3)

Round 1

Next on the docket: a lightweight clash matching Sankara (7-5, 1-1 PFL) with Cruz (3-0, 0-0 PFL) at 155 pounds. Basson adjudicates matters. A glove touch gets them started. Cruz lands an inside leg kick. Sankara circles on the outside and jabs. Front kick to the body from Cruz. Another inside leg kick from Cruz. Slow start for Sankara. He lands a body kick, resets and jabs. Sankara whiffs on a jumping switch knee, then unleashes a one-two. Midway through the round. Sankara doubles up on his jab, then connects with a leg kick. Ninety seconds to go. Heavy body kick from Sankara. He backs up Cruz with a one-two. Jab-cross from Sankara. Cruz presses forward, walks into a knee and covers up in the face of a flurry. Nothing of consequence lands for Sankara. They trade jabs. Sankara lands a body kick before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sankara
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Cruz
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Sankara

Round 2

Back to work in the middle stanza. Cruz takes the center. Bleeding from a cut above his right brow, Sankara lands a body kick and accidentally pokes his opponent in the eye. Cruz retreats in noticeable pain. Replays show a knuckle-deep poke to the right eye, along with an apparent low blow. Cruz still on one knee as the cageside physician examines him. Basson waves it off, as the crowd boos.

The Official Result

Aureo Cruz vs. Abdoul Razac Sankara—No Contest (Accidental Eye Poke) 0:18 R2

Abdelrahman Mohamed (170.9) vs. David Samuel (169.8)

Round 1

Welterweights now move into position, as Mohamed (4-0, 0-0 PFL) takes on Samuel (3-0, 0-0 PFL) in the first of four PFL Africa tournament quarterfinals at 170 pounds. Mitchell serves as the referee. Samuel steps forward and takes the center of the cage. He greets Mohamed with a front kick to the body, followed by a hard low kick. Samuel lands a left hook to the body, snatches a Thai clinch and fires a knee before separating. Mohamed connects with a leg kick and follows it with a jab to the midsection. Samuel decks his opponent with a right hook, allows him to stand and resets. He lands a jab and keeps Mohamed in a state of retreat. Front kick to the body from Samuel. He targets the body with right hooks, drops Mohamed with a jab, allows him to stand and swarms him with punches. Samuel clinches and executes a takedown and lands punches with his counterpart in a kneeling position. He advances to the back, sets his hooks and batters Mohamed with punches. Samuel weaves his arms into place for the rear-naked choke, tightens his squeeze and produces the tapout.

The Official Result

David Samuel def. Abdelrahman Mohamed—Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 4:03 R1

Juliet Ukah (115.8) vs. Jane Osigwe (117.3)

Round 1

Attention now returns to the women’s strawweight division, where Ukah (8-0, 2-0 PFL) awaits Osigwe (5-3, 0-0 PFL) at 115 pounds. Karagiannidis oversees the action. Away they go. Ukah opens with a body kick and stalks forward from the southpaw stance. Inside leg kick from Osigwe. Side kick to the body from Ukah, who pressures her opponent backward and cuts loose with punches from both hands. Body kick from Ukah, followed by a right hook upstairs. She lands a body kick and shrugs off an attempted takedown. Stout one-two from Ukah, who continues to lead the dance. She counters with a right hook and lands a body kick. Osigwe mostly swinging at air and looks very much like someone who’s playing to her adversary’s strengths. She fires knees from the clinch. Ukah breaks free and lets her hands go. She follows with an inside leg kick and eats a right hand over the top. A minute left in the round. Ukah steps into a left hand and pins Osigwe to the fence with punches. Inside leg kick from Osigwe. Ukah clings to a front headlock in the closing seconds and absorbs an elbow before trading shots until the bell.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ukah
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ukah
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ukah

Round 2

Ukah marches to the center and picks up where she left off. Body kick from Osigwe. Ukah counters with a right hook. Osigwe lands a sweeping left hook and sets off a wild exchange between the two. Ukah connects with a left kick of her own. Osigwe lands a low blow, resulting in a brief pause to the action. She fires off leg kicks on the restart. Ukah content to pressure her from the outside. Osigwe clinches and presses her opponent to the fence. She lands a few hammerfists to the knee. Ukah separates and moves back to the center. Inside leg kick from Osigwe. They clinch again. Ukah separates. Midway through the round. Oblique kick to the lead leg from Osigwe. Ukah steps into several right hands and avoids an elbow on the break. Osigwe connects with a body kick and duck into a clinch. Ukah boxes the ears and the side of the head. Osigwe answers with an elbow over the top. They separate with roughly 20 seconds to go. They exchange blows at the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ukah
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ukah
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ukah

Round 3

Osigwe probably facing an uphill climb with five minutes left. Ukah again commands the center. She lands a side kick to the body and narrowly misses a head kick. Osigwe looks to counter without much luck. Body kick from Ukah. Osigwe lands a body kick, then separates and resets. Ukah back to the center. Strong body kick from Ukah. She follows it with a multi-punch volley. Midway through the final round. Ukah connects with a counter right hand. Output has dwindled for both women. Ukah lands an inside leg kick. Osigwe answers with one of her own. An eye poke from Osigwe pauses the action and looks to be near tears at having fouled her opponent. She gets a warning from the referee before the restart. They trade kicks. Osigwe lands a right hook and sets off a brief but wild exchange between the two parties. Less than a minute left. Ukah stays at a safe range as her opponent misses with a series of kicks. They clinch in the closing seconds and exchange shots until the bell.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ukah (30-27 Ukah)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ukah (30-27 Ukah)
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ukah (30-27 Ukah)

The Official Result

Juliet Ukah def. Jane Osigwe—Split Decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)

Rivaldo Pereira (169.1) vs. Kunle Lawal (170.3)

Round 1

They get the ball rolling on the main card with a PFL Africa welterweight tournament quarterfinal between Pereira (3-2, 0-0 PFL) and Lawal (3-1, 1-0 PFL). Basson draws the officiating assignment. Lawal darts in and out with feints at the outset. He switches stances freely and lands a leg kick. Pereira answers with one of his own. He gets his jab going, eats a body kick and lands a low kick. Lead hook from Pereira, who connects with a one-two and seems to have his opponent reeling. He doubles up on the jab. He connects with a right hand over the top and drops Lawal with vicious right to the body. Pereira pounces with elbows and closes the door with a sustained burst of offense.

The Official Result

Rivaldo Pereira def. Kunle Lawal—TKO (Punch to Body and Elbows) 2:09 R1

Shido Boris Esperanca (170.3) vs. Emilios Dassi (168.8)

Round 1

Moving along, Esperanca (10-2, 3-1 PFL) puts Dassi (5-2, 1-1 PFL) to the test in another PFL Africa welterweight tournament quarterfinal. Mitchell administers the law and order. They touch gloves and get down to it. Esperanca stalks from the center, then steps into a right hand and a leg kick. Dassi swings wildly but hits nothing but air. Another leg kick from Esperanca. He executes a trip takedown and sets up in full guard. Body-head punches ensue. Esperanca passes to full mount and maintains heavy hips. He drops punches and elbows, one of them particularly nasty. Esperanca flirts with an arm-triangle, then resumes his elbow-laced assault. Heavy ground-and-pound amps up the crowd. More elbows land, followed by punches. Mitchell has seen enough.

The Official Result

Shido Boris Esperanca def. Emilios Dassi—TKO (Elbows and Punches) 3:17 R1

Yabna N'Tchala (170.5) vs. Peace Nguphane (167.7)

Round 1

Business picks up with the last of the PFL Africa welterweight tournament quarterfinals, as N’Tchala (14-2-1, 3-0 PFL) confronts Nguphane (8-3, 0-0 PFL) at 170 pounds. Karagiannidis steps in as the third man in the cage. No glove touch. N’Tchala opens with a few leg kicks, then unleashes a one-two. Nguphane shields himself effectively. He answers with a body kick. N’Tchala continues to attack the lower extremities with kicks. Nguhane narrowly misses a head kick. They clinch. N’Tchala fires knees to the body and drives his opponent to the fence, then goes to work on a potential takedown. He distracts Nguphane with knees to the legs. Action stalls. Two minutes to go. Crowd grows restless as the referee asks for more offense. N’Tchala clings to a body lock with 90 seconds left. Referee restarts them in the center of the cage. They trade clubbing shots. N’Tchala connects on the counter, avoids a head kick and lands a right hook to the ribs. They clinch again, with both men trying and failing to secure takedowns. Not much happening at close range. They separate with 10 seconds left. N’Tchala lands a spinning back kick to the body.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 N'Tchala
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 N'Tchala
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 N'Tchala

Round 2

Off they go in the middle stanza. Thudding body kick from Nguphane. N’Tchala sprawls on a takedown attempt and forces his opponent to clinch. He secures an outside trip takedown. Nguphane gets to his feet without much trouble. They clinch again. A few boos from the crowd. N’Tchala presses his opponent into the fence, lands a few shoulder strikes and works knees to the legs and stomps to the feet. Nguphane answers with knees to the body. Nguphane powers into top position after successfully defending a trip. He grabs a front headlock in the subsequent scramble and slams a few knees into N’Tchala’s head. Midway through the round. Strong knee to the body from Nguphane, then another. N’Tchala hangs onto the clinch but not doing much else. Ninety seconds to go. Nguphane reverses another takedown into top position and cuts loose with ground-and-pound. He targets the body and head, all while he keeps N’Tchala grounded. He grapevines the legs to further secure his position. More punches land. Strong close to the round for Nguphane.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nguphane
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Nguphane
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Nguphane

Round 3

Result still in doubt here as they start the third round. Nguphane opens with a one-two and clinches along the fence. Body kick from N’Tchala. Nguphane closes the distance and shoots on a double-leg. N’Tchala defends. Again they clinch against the cage. Nguphane leans into his opponent and lands a few short punches. He drags N’Tchala to the mat and cuts loose with punches. Nguphane sets up in half guard midway through the round. He connects with a few elbows, as he picks his shots. Ninety seconds to go. Nguphane still in half guard landing punches. He mixes in knees to the ribcage. Subtle but brutal stuff from Nguphane, who has taken control of this fight. He shuts down N’Tchala’s bid to get back to his feet and milks the remaining time off the clock while climbing to full mount with elbows.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nguphane (29-28 Nguphane)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Nguphane (29-28 Nguphane)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Nguphane (29-28 Nguphane)

The Official Result

Peace Nguphane def. Yabna N’Tchala—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Justin Clarke (245.2) vs. Abdoulaye Kane (262.7)

Round 1

PFL Pretoria has arrived at its co-main event, where Clarke (4-1, 2-1 PFL) locks horns with Kane (5-1, 2-1 PFL) in the heavyweight division. Basson adjudicates matters. The big men receive their instructions and prepare to throw down. Clarke comes out swinging. Kane scores with a low kick and a jab. Clarke ducks his head and eats two massive right uppercuts. Clark retreats, then returns fire. Both men reset. Clarke now bleeding from the nose. Kane steps forward with a one-two and follows it with a knee. They clinch along the fence. Kane separates lands more uppercuts and swarms. Clarke, despite being visibly hurt, answers with a picture-perfect left hook. Kane collapses to the canvas, where Clarke meets him with a volley of fight-ending blows.

The Official Result

Justin Clarke def. Abdoulaye Kane—TKO (Punches) 2:12 R1

Nkosi Ndebele (135.6) vs. Michele Clemente (135)

Round 1

Bantamweights close the show in the headliner, as Ndebele (11-3, 3-0 PFL) squares off with Clemente (7-1, 0-0 PFL) at 135 pounds. Mitchell serves as the referee. They touch gloves to start and trade leg kicks. Clemente connects with a counter left hook and zeroes on the inside of the lead leg with kicks. Ndebele counters with a right hook and snaps the Italian’s head sideways. Sharp one-two from Ndebele. Clemente pressures forward with punches and low kicks. Ndebele steps into a three-punch volley and lands an accidental low blow, resulting in a brief pause to the action. Clemente lands a leg kick on the restart and answers a low kick from his opponent with a left hook. Ndebele fires off a few leg kicks. They clinch. Ndebele slams home an elbow and a knee. Ninety seconds left. Ndebele drags the underdog to the mat and sets up in half guard. Ndebele stands, throws an axe kick to the body and separates. Ndebele steps into a knee, then clinches. Seconds tick away with the two men engaged with each other along the fence.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ndebele
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ndebele
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ndebele

Round 2

Clemente lands an inside leg kick, retreats under return fire and resets. He flurries with punches, drives into the clinch and nearly secures a takedown. Ndebele refuses to stay down, scrambles to his feet and lures the Italian into the clinch. They separate, then clinch again. Ndebele lands an elbow at close range. Three minutes to go in the round. Ndebele works into open space and connects with a right hook. He steps into a knee strike to the body. Sharp one-two from Ndebele. Clemente clinches, then separates. He briefly secures a takedown, but Ndebele immediately scrambles to his feet. Ninety seconds on the clock. Ndebele circles off the fence and connects with an elbow. He buckles Clemente’s knees with a left hook. The hard-nosed Italian steadies himself and maneuvers behind Ndebele, who switches positions and hits a late takedown.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ndebele
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ndebele
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ndebele

Round 3

Ndebele in control, as they prepare for the final five minutes. He paws with his jab and lands a side kick to the knee. Clemente gives ground and eats a kick to the body. Ndebele walks his opponent into a short-range elbow, targets the body with another kick and connects with a jab. He follows a one-two with a knee up the middle, then clinches. Clemente losing valuable time here. Ndebele cuts off a takedown with a front headlock and drags his counterpart to the mat before transitioning to side control. Two minutes to go. Ndebele lands knees to the ribs. He maintains a dominant position while landing punches to the body. Ndebele postures and drops punches from a standing position, then dives back into side control. Clemente makes a pass at an armbar and a kneebar, setting off a scramble. Back on the feet, Ndebele connects with a knee. They separate and Ndebele lands with both hands, then closes with a foot sweep.

Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ndebele (30-27 Ndebele)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ndebele (30-27 Ndebele)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ndebele (30-27 Ndebele)

The Official Result

Nkosi Ndebele def. Michele Clemente—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)