EFC 121 FIGHT WEEK IS HERE African MMA Continues Its Relentless Takeover
Johannesburg, South Africa - Johannesburg, South Africa -
EFC 121 is ready to kick-off the African combat sports year with a massive card this Thursday, featuring 13 power-packed bouts including one enthralling title fight in the main event at the World Sports Betting Arena in the City of Gold!
When Roedie Roets secured the interim featherweight title late last year, it was the culmination of a career that had taken him around the world from Polokwane to Phuket before a star-turn in the house in the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter. Following 5 gruelling rounds of total war in the fabled EFC Hexagon late last year ‘Relentess’ strapped the gold around his waist and declared himself ready for the next challenger. But in a case of being careful for what one wishes, up steps the undefeated Zambian finishing machine, Ken Sekeletu. With only one of his pro bouts going to decision, ‘The Takeover’ has a highlight reel which is the envy of many, with a variety of dizzying first-round finishes over top-drawer opponents including most recently a liver-kick KO of the highly-regarded Vince Bembe at Christmas. In the biggest fight of the Lusakan lutador’s life, he represents a massive challenge to Roets’s championship in the Limpopan’s very first title defence in the thrilling main event. Incredibly World Sports Betting currently has the challenger as the slight favourite going into this battle!
The entire EFC 121 main card is stacked to the rafters with the co-main slot occupied by the man whom Roets beat to that interim featherweight strap, Ayanda ‘Power’ Zwane taking on veteran gunslinger Billy Oosthuizen. With Zwane desperate to earn another title shot, he will have to contend with Oosthuizen's infamous brawling style and with four wins out of five recent bouts, Billy has laid claim to his own right for title-contention and a win over another topranking opponent like Zwane would surely rubber-stamp such a request.
Another returning vet is the man they rightly call ‘The Bully’, Hanru Botha who himself is coming-off a jaw-dropping KO of Osvaldo Benedito last year which is one of seven superb victories in the Hex, won during an EFC career spanning eleven years of action. In an intriguing clash of styles, this wrestler will undoubtedly duke it out on the feet against another returning fan favourite, Kaleka ‘Block’ Kabanda who recently fought for the title but came up short against the imperious Igeu Kabesa. With submission finishes of the likes of JT Botha and Guelor Sondi, Kabanda is a wily and dangerous grappler, which just happens to be the founding skillset of Botha.
It’s ‘Bad News’ for any opponent when Musa Sethwape makes that walk but Lucky Magekha will hope to stop the press with one of his customary quick finishes. Undefeated in the EFC, Lucky has sent several opponents packing in the first and is riding a four-fight winning streak, while Sethwape is looking to overturn a three-fight skid. Admittedly those losses against such standouts as Zulu and Balelo must be placed in the context of his victories over luminaries like Law, Komana and Ntambwe, Sethwape is as exciting as they come and always brings the trash talk to back up his fists regardless of him being the considerable underdog at World Sports Betting.
The main-card curtain-raiser is a middleweight collision between CIT’s towering Diego Bandu and promotional debutante Mouhamed Ba. Based in France, Ba is an electrifying and undefeated Senegalese headhunter who has massive knockout power in both hands courtesy of a stellar kickboxing career. But his opponent ‘Pangaman’ recently reminded EFC fans of his hellacious power with a first round KO with knees in his last outing and a resumé of destruction over the likes of Pretorius and Hlongwa. This one promises another spectacular finish.
With eight undercard bouts preceding this amazing main card of combat, EFC 121 is bound to provide another night of high-drama. The featured prelim fight will witness ‘Rush Hour’ returning to Jozi as Lihle Ngamntwini looks to continue his winning streak against the dynamic grappling specialist Salahuddin ‘Shady’ Plaatjies. Durban’s entertaining Tapiwa Katikati is always down for fist-fracas but must contend with the undefeated finisher from the DRC, Chadrack Yemba, before CIT veteran Sizwe Mnikhathi enters the Hex in his twenty-fourth fight in the five-sider against another fascinating signing from Senegal in heavy-handed debutante Gasmire Diatta.
With its biggest schedule yet after 16 years of growth, 2025 in the EFC is set to revolutionise the sport once more with a variety of formats and fight nights, which all begin with EFC 121 this Thursday 6th of March in one huge night of unmissable MMA action!
EFC 121 Roets vs Sekeletu for the Interim Featherweight Championship takes place on Thursday 6th March 2025, live from the World Sports Betting Arena at the EFC Performance Institute in JHB, South Africa.
The final EFC weigh-ins of 2024 hit an intense crescendo at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena, where 20 athletes made their way to the scales.
The atmosphere in the World Sports Betting Arena was electric with EFC 120 primed to be a showstopper, headlined by two high-stakes title fights that have fans eagerly counting down the hours. As the year’s final event, this card features a mix of long-standing champions and hungry contenders all vying for glory, setting the stage for a night that will leave no one disappointed.
Middleweight champion Luke Michael is looking to make history as he steps down to challenge reigning Welterweight Champion Zaakir Badat. Michael, a relentless and dynamic striker, looked fired up and his intense stare-down with Badat was impossible to ignore. The Young Gun appeared laser-focused, while the champion Badat kept his composure, exuding respect and sportsmanship despite the rising tension. Badat’s calm demeanour, contrasted with Michael’s fiery determination, and makes for a fascinating buildup to their showdown in the Hex. Both athletes have the skills, but only one will walk away with the welterweight belt.
The second title fight of the night features Igeu Kabesa, the EFC’s current double champion, as he puts his lightweight title on the line against former training partner Martin Van Staden. Kabesa, known for his elite grappling, dominant wrestling, and near-unstoppable pace, will face the well-rounded and gritty Van Staden, who recently made his long awaited return to the promotion after a long absence.
Kabesa looked cool and composed at the scale, while Van Staden, visibly pumped, was ready to face his former teammate-turned-rival. Despite their friendly past, tomorrow night’s bout will be anything but cordial. Kabesa’s legacy is on the line, while Van Staden is out to prove that he can still hang with the best after his time away from the promotion. This fight promises to be an absolute banger, with both men knowing each other’s weaknesses inside and out. It’s a true clash of styles, with Kabesa’s elite ground game pitted against Van Staden’s striking and experience. Don’t be surprised if this bout becomes a Fight of the Night contender.
The long-awaited clash between Musa “Bad News” Setwape and Shannon Van Tonder was initially scheduled a year ago but had to be postponed after Van Tonder faced some health issues.
Tensions were at an all-time high during the weigh-ins, where Setwape, visibly frustrated by the delay, got right in Van Tonder’s face and had to be held back by Night Guard security, bringing the intensity to a boiling point. Adding fuel to the fire, Setwape was dubbed “Sad News” by Van Tonder at the press conference on Monday, which has only made the rivalry more personal. Setwape, who has been training relentlessly with his new gym Infinity MMA, is determined to prove a point. Meanwhile, Van Tonder is out to silence his critics and reclaim his spot among the top contenders. This bout promises fireworks from start to finish, with personal vendettas adding extra spice to what is already a must-watch matchup.
While the main card is stacked, don’t sleep on the prelims, which are loaded with talent and sure to set the tone for the entire night. With a nearly all-South African line-up, the early bouts will feature well-known names eager to make a statement in their final appearances of the year. Expect an exciting mix of striking, grappling, and unrelenting aggression as these athletes fight for their spot on future cards. From the opening bell to the final title fight, EFC 120 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated cards of the season. The mix of established champions, hungry challengers, and intense rivalries is bound to deliver on every level, with the promise of some unforgettable moments.
EFC 120 is not just another event—it's a culmination of a year’s worth of anticipation and action. Be sure to catch the action live or on broadcast—you won’t want to miss this!
Main Card
WELTERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT
Zaakir Badat (SA) 168.5lbs vs. Luke Michael (SA) 169.8lbs
LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT
Igeu Kabesa (SA) 153.lbs vs. Martin van Staden (SA) 148.4lbs
BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT
Shannon van Tonder (SA) 142.8lbs vs. Musa Sethwape (SA) 137.8 lbs
FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT
Ken Sekeletu (ZMB) 142.9lbs vs. Vince Bembe (SA) 143.2lbs
BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT
Ntando Zondi (SA) 135.2lbs vs. Sibusiso Sovendle (SA) 135.1lbs Prelim Card
MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHT
JT Botha (SA) 181.5lbs vs. Khulekani Hlongwa (SA) 184.2lbs
BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT
Moses Mokhari (SA) 133.4lbs vs. Rian Dunn (SA) 133lbs
HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT
Jeremie Tshibala (DRC) 243.8lbs vs. Terrence Born (SA) 228lbs
BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT
David Mambo (DRC) 135.1lbs vs. Thimna Mhlauli (SA) 135.9lbs
MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHT
Christopher Matukane (SA) 180.6lbs vs. Jaden Van Der Merwe (SA) 184.3lbs
Prelim bouts start at 16:00 CAT Main card bouts start at 19:00 CAT
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