The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has revealed why Lagos was selected as the host city for the inaugural PFL Africa debut event 2026, set to take place at the Eko Convention Center on June 13, 2026.
Speaking ahead of the historic event, PFL Africa General Manager Elias Schulze described Lagos as the ideal location due to its vibrant sporting culture, passionate fanbase, and deep pool of mixed martial arts talent.
According to Schulze, Nigeria’s commercial capital offers a unique blend of energy, culture, and global appeal, making it the perfect stage to launch the organisation’s expansion into West Africa.
“Nigeria brings incredible passion, culture, and talent, and Lagos is the perfect stage for this moment,”
Schulze said. “The energy from the fans, the depth of local talent, and the opportunity to showcase it all on a global platform make this event truly special.”
The event is expected to be the largest MMA showcase in West African history, featuring opening-round bouts in the bantamweight and lightweight divisions, alongside high-profile exhibition fights.
In the headline bout, Nigerian fighter Wasi Adeshina will face Spain’s Ignacio Campos in a featherweight clash, while the co-main event will see Patrick Ocheme battle Cameroon’s Octave Ayinda in a lightweight tournament opener.
The decision to stage the debut in Lagos underscores the PFL’s ambition to tap into Africa’s growing combat sports market while providing a global platform for emerging regional fighters.
