Max Holloway and Sean O’Malley: PFL Europe star Frans Mlambo opens up on 'dream fights'

The 32-year-old is gearing up for a potentially career-changing $100,000 fight against Khurshed Kakhorov in December’s PFL Europe final.

Mlambo reached the bantamweight championship bout courtesy of his victories over Rachid Haz and Moktar Benkaci in the knockout tournament.

The inaugural PFL Europe season is now gearing up to host finals night in Dublin, with the SBG Ireland fighter looking to steal the show.

Victory in Dublin could send Mlambo into the PFL’s global roster which offers fighters the opportunity to win $1million.

Mlambo, who struggled to find fights in 2022 and the first half of 2023, worked as a landscaper in order to pay the bills.

The South Africa-born fighter resurrected his career by joining PFL Europe and will be looking to build on his 15-5 record.

Favourite fighters and dream bout

Mlambo, who is a dangerous operator in his own right, revealed what kind of fighters are to his liking.

“Strikers are my favourites in MMA,” he told Planet Sport. “The likes of Jon Jones. I’m a bit of an old-school head so I’m going to bring Anderson Silva in there. Never forget that bloke. Watching that kind of MMA is what got me into it."

When asked about his dream bout before retirement, Mlambo added: “My dream fight always was Max Holloway because he was a proper striker. He’s going up in weight now.

“The next guy I’m looking at for that sort of dream fight will be Sugar Sean O’Malley. When someone is that good of a striker, I kind of want to test them. Just to see where I am at the calibre.”

Fans can watch Mlambo’s PFL Europe championship bout against Kakhorov on DAZN. The Dublin-based show takes place on December 8.