EFC Contender Series Returns

Promising Another Action-Packed Showdown of Africa's Top MMA Talent


Johannesburg, South Africa – March 19, 2025 – The stage is set for the highly anticipated second installment of the EFC Contender Series, where Africa's most promising amateur MMA athletes will once again step into the spotlight in hopes of securing a coveted EFC professional contract. The ceremonial weigh-in and face-offs for tomorrow's event took place earlier today, with fighters making their final preparations for an action-packed day of competition.
This event serves as a prime opportunity for rising MMA stars to showcase their skills in front of EFC matchmakers and fans alike, with a packed fight card of 12 thrilling bouts set to deliver high-intensity action. The Contender Series will provide a platform for these athletes to demonstrate why they deserve a place on the prestigious EFC roster.

As Africa's leading MMA promotion, EFC has long been known for identifying and developing the next wave of MMA talent. With the launch of the Contender Series, EFC is reinforcing its commitment to building a direct pathway for talented amateur fighters to transition into the professional ranks.

"This series is an incredible chance to spotlight some of the most talented athletes across the continent," said Graeme Cartmell, EFC Vice President and Matchmaker. "We've already seen tremendous potential in the first series, and we're excited to witness the new talent stepping up tomorrow. Our goal is not just to find skilled fighters, but to help nurture the next generation of stars who will represent African MMA on the global stage. We want to give these athletes the opportunity to grow and potentially follow in the footsteps of former EFC champions like Dricus Du Plessis, Manon Fiorot, Dalcha Lungiambula and Garreth McLellan."

The Contender Series isn't only about offering fighters a chance to secure a contract; it's about providing them with the experience, exposure, and opportunities to succeed at the highest level of competition. By putting these athletes in a professional environment, EFC ensures they are prepared for the challenges they will face as professionals.



EFC Contender Series 2 Ceremonial Weigh-in results (The guidelines for amateur MMA athletes competing at the EFC Contender Series restricts them from cutting weight and athletes weights have been checked daily prior to their bout)
Watch weigh-ins here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Y_2qP1oX_UY?si=DJVHReVLzWPgiyb2 <https://www.youtube.com/live/Y_2qP1oX_UY?si=DJVHReVLzWPgiyb2>


MAIN CARD BOUTS

CATCHWEIGHT 143lbs
Mika Ngomane 140.8lbs vs. Hlompho Phomodi (TBC)

CATCHWEIGHT 162.8lbs
Sebastian Ferreira 162.1lbs vs. Jethro Swan 161.1lbs

MIDDLEWEIGHT 184.8lbs
Grant Farrow 180.6lbs vs. Sam Mbhele 185lbs

CATCHWEIGHT 138.6lbs
Joel Smit 136.3lbs vs. Coenie Lamprecht 137.3lbs

CATCHWEIGHT 158.4lbs
Jeremie Likobele 164.4lbs vs. Ignacious Nkomo (TBC)


PRELIM BOUTS

CATCHWEIGHT 147.4lbs
JJ Karagiannidis 149.4lbs vs. Bryn Gwavava 148.9lbs

HEAVYWEIGHT 264lbs
Frederik Eloff 216lbs vs. Mbasa Khosa (TBC)

WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT 125.4lbs
Linda Baraza 122.4lbs vs. Bianca Campher (TBC)

FEATHERWEIGHT 145.2lbs
Litha Madikiza 148lbs vs. PJ Meissenheimer 139.7lbs

BANTAMWEIGHT 134.2lbs
Thapelo Rasta Malatjie 134.1lbs vs. Sanele Shabalala 132.9lbs

BANTAMWEIGHT 134.2lbs
Sherazaad Dollie 137.2lbs vs. Kwaanza Zondo 134lbs

CATCHWEIGHT 149.6lbs
Luke Ackers 149lbs vs. Bruce Mayasi 149.1lbs


The EFC Contender Series takes place Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa, with the first bout scheduled for 3:00 PM (SAST)

13th March 2025

THE BIGGEST AND MOST VIOLENT

Johannesburg, South Africa - On 10 April 2025, two explosive title fights are set for the EFC 122 card which is bursting at the seams with the biggest fighting stars of Africa. EFC Heavyweight Champion from Réunion Islands, Anthony 'Big' Morel mounts a title defence against Africa's legendary heavyweight boxing champion and EFC crowd favourite, Elvis 'The Bomber' Moyo. Plus the two-time bantamweight champion and promotional G.O.A.T from Cape Town, Faeez 'Troublemaker' Jacobs ascends the ramparts to protect his belt against the brawling malevolent roadblock, Sibusiso 'Somandla' Sovendle.

Anthony Morel has quickly garnered a reputation as one of the biggest rising stars, not just in French MMA, but in the 265lb division globally. He proved as such by taking the gold in a devastating display of pure power last year against Englishman Joffie Houlton with a first-round knockout. But for his first title defence, he must deal with a Zimbabwean legend whose chin is as impenetrable as the granite rock running beneath the great Shona hunting grounds, a boxer who has laid waste to heavyweight greats such as Strauss, Mbuyi, Misholas, Vermuelen and Yamdjie. A man they call the Bulawayo Bomber due to his canyon-carving fists and boat-burning refusal to back-down, the one and only Elvis Moyo.

But with a main event between two gargantuans who like to get it done in one, the preceding co-main event title fight will serve as more than just a worthy appetiser. When Capetonian hero Faeez Jacobs lost his first bantamweight title defence four years ago, he swore that same day he'd reclaim it and proceeded to beat a path back to contendership with a series of world-class performances, including revenge over the man who took his belt all those years ago, Sylvester Chipfumbu. Then, finally last year he faced Vince Bembe at EFC 117 who he choked-out in the second round to buckle-up the gold once again. But his opponent this time around is as equal to the challenge as Chipfumbu was, Silverton's striker of serial sibilance, Sibusiso Somandla Sovendle. Earning his top ranking with a hanging wall of 135lb scalps, he has put away five of the finest including most recently, Roevan de Beer and Ntando Zondi to earn a crack at Troublemaker. Hailing from the infamous Brothers in Arms outfit in Pretoria and a protogée of his inspirational mentor Conrad Seabi, 'Triple S' is a perpetual machine of violence who will out-strike, out-scramble and outlast and has been finished only once in his entire professional career, making him the toughest possible challenge available to Jacob's early reign.

With the contracts for these two massive title fights already having been signed, the card for EFC 122 is almost full with 12 bouts in total set to test the very foundations of the World Sports Betting Arena in Johannesburg.

EFC 122 Morel vs Moyo for the Heavyweight Championship takes place on Thursday 10th April 2025, live from the World Sports Betting Arena at the EFC Performance Institute in JHB, South Africa.

6th March 2025

THE ZAMBIAN TAKEOVER HAS BEGUN!

Johannesburg, South Africa - Zambia's undefeated Ken 'The Takeover' Sekeletu emerged victorious from the main event of EFC 121 in front of delirious crowds as he took the featherweight title from South Africa's champion Roedie Roets in one spectacular round.

With Roets coming-out fast from the bell it was evident that his title defence gameplan was to clinch up and grapple the Zambian, but it was in this position that Sekeletu was able to deploy elbows to the side of his opponents head and leave the champion worse for wear at the bell. It was immediately evident that Roets was concussed and confused and seemingly indicating that this was as a result of illegal blows to the back of the head, though the action reply failed to show any. When the time came for the second round, Roets was still unable to continue, handing the belt to Sekeletu who makes history as the first MMA champion from Zambia.

The new champion will not be allowed to rest upon his laurels however, as the co-main event was staged to select his next challenger between Ayanda Zwane and Billy Oosthuizen. Over two rounds, Zwane's kickboxing and mercurial movement flummoxed his foe, who began to bleed profusely from his wounds. But in the third, knowing he was down two rounds, 'The Kid' took Zwane to the canvas and sank in a rear-naked choke to take the tap in a sensational come-from-behind victory.

Fans were treated to a back-and-forth war between Musa Sethwape and Lucky Magekha which mostly stayed on the feet. Sethwape's counter game was strong against the forward-footed Magheka and it was this strategy that convinced the judges to give 'Bad News' the razor-thin split decision. Opening the card was a Congo/Senegal clash between Diego Bandu and debutante Mouhamid Tafsir Ba in which both athletes engaged on the feet, with Ba particularly scoring the more effective shots but it was Bandu who walked away with the unanimous decision. All eyes now turn to the heavyweight title fight in April between France's Champion Anthony Morel and Zimbabwe's challenger, Elvis Moyo.


The Official EFC 121 Results are:

Mfanafuthi Ngobese bt Tebatso Matlhobowane 2'26'' in Rd 2 by Guillotine
Ash Zola bt Godfrey Mkhwanazi 2'00'' in Rd 2 by RNC
Nicolaas Vermaak bt Mlungisi Mbizane by Split Decision
Mark Kamba bt Jaden van der Merwe 40'' Rd 1 Knockout
Jesse Schaper bt Nkosi Doyisa 2'27'' Rd 1 by RNC
Chadrack Yemba bt Tapiwa Katikati 3'47'' Rd 1 by Anaconda
Gasmire Diatta bt Sizwe Mnikathi by Unanimous Decision
Lihle Ngamntwini bt Salahuddin Plaatjies by Split Decision
Diego Bandu bt Mouhamed Tafsir Ba by Unanimous Decision
Musa Sethwape bt Lucky Magekha by Split Decision
Kaleka Kabanda bt Hanru Botha 152.6lbs 4'36'' Rd 1 by TKO
Billy Oosthuizen bt Ayanda Zwane 4'17'' Rd 3 by RNC
Ken Sekeletu bt Roedie Roets 0'00'' Rd 2 by Verbal Submission

Performance Bonuses were awarded to:
Lihle Ngamntwini
Nicolaas Vermaak
Mlungisi Mbizane
Billy Oosthuizen
Ayanda Zwane

Fight Of The Night Bonus was awarded to:
Diego Bandu and Mouhamed Tafsir Ba


EFC 122 Morel vs Moyo for the Heavyweight Championship takes place on Thursday 10th April 2025, live from the World Sports Betting Arena at the EFC Performance Institute in JHB, South Africa.


About EFC – The Extreme Fighting Championship

Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, EFC is a world leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation. EFC produces 10 live events annually at sold out arenas. With over 200 athletes exclusively contracted to the organisation, EFC showcases the greatest warriors on the planet.

EFC events are broadcast in over 120 countries around the world on numerous television networks in multiple languages. EFC programming is available weekly in 600+ million TV households globally, making it one of the most recognisable MMA brands in the world.