PFC Promotions made a spectacular comeback this weekend, and the excitement among the MMA crowd in Cape Town showed just how much they’ve been missed.
After a hiatus of five years, PFC’s return was nothing short of grand, re-energising the local fight scene and stamping their role as a key player in South Africa’s combat sports landscape.
The action took centre stage at Camps Bay High, where a diverse line-up of fights, including boxing, K1, and MMA, catered something for every combat sports enthusiast.
Angelo Addinall, the co-founder of PFC, acknowledged the significance of this return, emphasising the need to make a bold statement after such a long break.
“We’ve always set trends in South Africa, and since our fans appreciate all forms of combat sports, it was essential for us to showcase them all in our comeback event,” Addinall said.
“It’s been amazing, my dad (Neville) started this promotion and we as a team want to make him proud. and now we are back with a bang and already looking forward to the next one.”
PFC’s comeback also opened up opportunities for aspiring martial artists to transition into the professional arena.
By offering a mixed card featuring various fight disciplines, PFC provided a platform for both new and established fighters to shine.
Addinall’s sentiment about the event bringing a much-needed revival was evident throughout the night.
“We wanted to come back with a bang, and I believe we achieved that. Our goal is to once again become the trendsetters in the MMA scene in South Africa,” he said.
The line-up boasted 21 thrilling fights with the highlight of the evening being the crowning of two new PFC champions.
In the MMA segment, Jelais Kitoubou clinched the featherweight title with an impressive performance against Zaakir Parker.
In boxing, Lisolethu Majilisa secured the women’s PFC belt in the under-54kg category. Her bout against Aayesha Majiet from Fighterz Inc was the only female fight of the evening.
Majilisa was visibly emotional after her win. “I’m overwhelmed. I trained hard for this fight, and the whole experience has been incredible. My focus now is to return to training and prepare for the next opportunity,” she said.
The event also featured an electrifying K1 match between Madfit’s Wade Hammond and Riaan Boois from Vipers.
Hammond expressed his satisfaction with the victory, noting that it was refreshing to return to K1 after focusing on boxing and Muay Thai.
“I’m thrilled with the win. It’s been a while since I competed in K1, and getting back into the ring was exciting. The return of PFC has been long overdue, and it’s fantastic to see the promotion back with such a strong turnout,” Hammond said.
Hammond’s praise for PFC echoed the sentiments of many fighters and fans alike.
“Before Covid, PFC was one of the biggest shows in the Western Cape, and it’s great to see them back in full force. They have always treated fighters well, and this event’s size and the turnout are a testament to that. My goal now is to keep fighting, possibly go for a title, and continue enjoying the sport.”
Addinall hinted at more events on the horizon, with plans to possibly host another show later this year or early next year.
