The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced two significant matchups for its highly anticipated event, PFL Cape Town, marking the promotion's debut in Africa. This exciting announcement was shared on Friday, adding more anticipation to an already thrilling fight card scheduled for July 19, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa.
One standout bout features A.J. McKee, the former Bellator featherweight champion, who holds an impressive record of 22 wins and 2 losses. McKee will face Akhmed Magomedov, a formidable opponent with a record of 11 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no contest, in a featherweight showdown at 145 pounds. This marks McKee’s return to the featherweight division after a series of fights at lightweight, where he has accumulated a solid record of 4 wins and 1 loss since 2022. McKee aims to bounce back from his latest fight, which ended in a narrow split decision loss to Paul Hughes last October. His last appearance in the featherweight category resulted in a loss to Patricio Pitbull at Bellator 277 in April 2022, where he notably relinquished his championship title.
Additionally, the event will showcase another exciting fight featuring Corey Anderson, the reigning Bellator light heavyweight champion. Anderson, who has a record of 18 wins and 6 losses, will step back into the cage for the first time since capturing his title. He will go toe-to-toe with Denis Goltsov, a seasoned fighter boasting a record of 36 wins and 8 losses in a heavyweight matchup. This bout takes on special significance as Goltsov earned heavyweight glory in the PFL tournament in 2024, setting up a champion versus champion dynamic, despite the difference in weight classes.
PFL Cape Town is also set to feature a thrilling main event headlined by Johnny Eblen, who will face Costello Van Steenis in a middleweight title fight. Another notable matchup on the card includes Dakota Ditcheva squaring off against Sumiko Inaba. These fights are part of the PFL Champions Series, adding layers of excitement and prestige to the event.
The addition of A.J. McKee versus Akhmed Magomedov and Corey Anderson against Denis Goltsov not only elevates the significance of PFL Cape Town but also highlights the league's commitment to delivering high-caliber MMA action to fans across the globe. These intriguing matchups are poised to capture the attention of both seasoned combat sports enthusiasts and new fans alike, solidifying the event as a must-watch experience.
As anticipation builds towards PFL Cape Town, fans are eager to witness how these exciting clashes will unfold, especially as fighters like A.J. McKee look to reclaim their status and Corey Anderson defends his title under the PFL banner. This event promises to be a landmark occasion for the PFL, showcasing the organization's expansion and dedication to the sport of MMA.
