ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR EFC'S FIRST CONTENDER SERIES!

Excitement Builds as Africa's Top Amateur MMA Talent Prepares for
Tomorrow's Historic Event

Johannesburg, South Africa – December 4, 2024 – The stage is set for the
EFC Contender Series, an exciting new initiative designed to discover and
showcase the best amateur MMA athletes from across Africa. The weigh-in for
the highly anticipated event took place earlier today, as athletes made
their final preparations for tomorrow's action-packed event.

This event provides a unique opportunity for rising MMA stars to compete
for a coveted EFC professional contract. With a packed fight card of 10
bouts, the Contender Series promises to deliver high-intensity action as
athletes look to impress EFC matchmakers and earn their place on the
prestigious EFC roster.

As the leading MMA promotion on the African continent, EFC has long been
known for discovering and developing the next generation of MMA superstars.
Now, with the launch of the EFC Contender Series, the organisation is
creating a direct pipeline for talented amateur athletes to transition into
the professional ranks.

This is a major step forward for both EFC and the African MMA scene,
said Graeme
Cartmell, EFC's Vice President and Matchmaker. There is so much untapped
talent out there, and we just don't get to see them all. The Contender
Series is a perfect opportunity for us to find fresh talent and help them
take the next step in their careers. We're not only looking for great
fighters, but also the potential to build the next big stars of the
sport—athletes who could follow in the footsteps of legends like Dricus Du
Plessis and Cameron Saaiman.

The Contender Series is not just about giving athletes a chance to earn a
contract—it's about giving them the tools, exposure, and matchmaking they
need to succeed at the professional level. By showcasing these athletes in
a professional setting, the EFC is ensuring they are prepared for the
challenges that come with the pro circuit.

The EFC Contender Series will take place tomorrow, Thursday, December 5,
2024, at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in Johannesburg, South
Africa, with the first bout scheduled for 17:00 PM & Main card starting at
19:00 (SAST)



Contender Series Weigh In Results





Main card



BANTAMWEIGHT

MFANAFUTHI NGOBESE 133.98lbs vs. BRANDON SANTOS 132,66lbs



MIDDLEWEIGHT

JODY KASONGO 182.05lbs vs. RUBEN FOURIE 182.16lbs



CATCHWEIGHT

JEREMIE LIKOBELE 154.77lbs vs. JETHRO SWAN 153.34lbs



BANTAMWEIGHT

QHAYIYA PEFILE 127.16lbs vs. SIPHO MLABA



CATCHWEIGHT

GRANT FARROW 167.8lbs vs. SEAN FROST 173.8lbs



Prelims



FEATHERWEIGHT

ASH ZOLA 145.09lbs vs. LITHA MADIKIZA 142.56lbs



HEAVYWEIGHT

EMMANUEL OKAFOR 246.84lbs vs. MBASA KHOSA 257.29lbs



WELTERWEIGHT

BOYKA BOTHA 168.96lbs vs. BAZ GUELAS 170.06lbs



FLYWEIGHT

SHERAZAAD DOLLIE 118.25lbs vs. NKULULEKO VILIKAZI 118.14lbs



CATCHWEIGHT

THAPELO MALATJIE 130.46lbs vs. DAVID CHAMPALI 123.53lbs









Images from weigh in available here
<https://efc.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/CONTENDER-SERIES-1/C0000lp2PIX4q89k>



The first EFC Contender Series takes place on Thursday, 5 December 2024 at
3pm (SAST) live from the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in JHB, South
Africa and will be broadcast live on efcworldwide.tv
<http://efcworldwide.tv>



Broadcast information at www.efcworldwide.com
<http://www.efcworldwide.com/>



Any media looking to attend the event are reminded to please send us an
email: media@efcworldwide.com <media@efcworldwide.com>



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. 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.



For more information visit efcworldwide.com, or follow us on social media.

Facebook: facebook.com/EFCworldwide

Twitter: twitter.com/EFCworldwide

Instagram: Instagram.com/EFCWorldwide <http://instagram.com/EFCWorldwide>














--




Ainara González
Editorial Content Manager
aigonzalez@telecoming.com






Paseo de la Castellana, 95. Torre Europa, pl 16. 28046 Madrid, Spain
telecoming.com <http://www.telecoming.com>



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EFC CONTENDER SERIES – A PLATFORM FOR AFRICA'S NEXT MMA STARS







Johannesburg, South Africa 3 December 2024 – The EFC Contender Series, an
event designed to showcase the brightest amateur MMA talent from across
Africa, is set to take place on Thursday, December 5th, at the World Sports
Betting EFC Arena. This unique event will give up-and-coming athletes the
chance to compete for a coveted professional contract with the
world-renowned EFC organisation.



The EFC Contender Series will feature a series of high-energy amateur
bouts, with athletes battling for the opportunity to make the jump from
amateur to professional MMA. Each competitor will step into the hex with
one goal in mind: to impress EFC matchmakers and earn a spot on the
prestigious EFC roster.



Broadcast live on efcworldwide.tv and with the best bouts to be featured in
future TV episodes, The EFC Contender Series promises to be key in
discovering the next generation of African MMA talent, providing a platform
for athletes to display their skills and gain valuable exposure.



To kick off the excitement leading into EFC 120 on 12 December, a press
conference featuring top EFC athletes Luke Michael, Igeu Kabesa, and Martin
van Staden will follow shortly after the Contender Series. This will
provide fans and media with a chance to hear directly from the stars ahead
of the much-anticipated EFC 120 event.



Stay tuned for more updates and don't miss your chance to be part of this
thrilling night of combat sports!



The first EFC Contender Series takes place on Thursday, 5 December 2024,
live from the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in JHB, South Africa and will
be broadcast live on efcworldwide.tv <http://efcworldwide.tv/>



Broadcast information at www.efcworldwide.com
<http://www.efcworldwide.com/>



Any media looking to attend the event are reminded to please send us an
email: media@efcworldwide.com <media@efcworldwide.com>



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. 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.



For more information visit efcworldwide.com, or follow us on social media.

Facebook: facebook.com/EFCworldwide

Twitter: twitter.com/EFCworldwide

Instagram: Instagram.com/EFCWorldwide <http://instagram.com/EFCWorldwide>

NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS DELIVERS THRILLING Johannesburg, South Africa – 14 November 2024 – EFC 119 was a night packed
with memorable knockouts, fierce competition, and dramatic upsets. The
packed crowd witnessed jaw-dropping performances, with three explosive
knockouts and newcomers making their mark against seasoned veterans.



Although the tension was palpable, there was also an incredible show of
sportsmanship between Terence Balelo and Edson Machavane in their battle
for the EFC Flyweight Championship. Both athletes showcased their striking
skills in an intense five-round affair that had fans on the edge of their
seats. The fight was an extremely close call, with spectators left
astonished about the outcome until the very end. Ultimately, it was Edson
Machavane who emerged victorious, with a split decision in his favour,
crowning him the new EFC Flyweight Champion. EFC Matchmaker at the
post-event press conference immediately offered Balelo a rematch.



The co-main event saw the EFC Women's Bantamweight Championship on the
line, where Juliet Chukwu emerged as the new champion in a fight that
again, went the full five rounds. Despite the relentless pressure from
Dayne Quiet Storm Van Wyk, Chukwu kept her composure throughout,
maintaining a cool and determined stance. Her precision striking and
well-timed counter attacks earned her a unanimous decision victory,
securing her place as the new EFC Bantamweight Champion and making history
in Nigerian MMA.



In another anticipated match-up, Shadrack Nsua defeated the previously
undefeated Siya The Chef Nomvemve. Though Nomvemve appeared to have
control throughout the first two rounds, the seasoned Nsua used his
experience to turn the tide in the final round, outworking the younger athlete
and winning via unanimous decision. Nomvemve's frustration was clear, but
it was Nsua's resilience and tactical approach that made the difference in
this high-stakes matchup, opening the playing field for him to challenge
Luke Michael in 2025.



Another show-stopping performance came from Horatious Alonu, who faced the
highly touted and former champion, Ziko The Gorilla Makengela. The bout
was a tactical battle, with Alonu remaining calm, focused, and patient. But
in the final round, Alonu delivered a crushing knockout, effectively ending
Makengele's dreams of another title shot next year. The win solidified
Alonu's place as a force to be reckoned with in the division in a great
night for the Nigerian contingent. Alonu is now the number one contender to
face the next Welterweight Champion, to be decided at EFC 120 where Zaakir
Badat takes on Luke Michael.



In one of the most shocking moments of the night, Patrick Ocheme defeated
the heavily favoured Kaleka Kabanda with a stunning knockout in the first
round. Kabanda, who had been considered the favourite by World Sports
Betting odds, was left stunned as Ocheme, undefeated in the EFC, made a
statement with his lightning-fast hands, finishing fight with a series of
powerful combos. Ocheme's knockout demonstrated once again that in the
world of EFC, anything can happen. Kaleka "Block" Kabanda disputed referee
Ferdi Basson's decision to call and stop to the bout as he tried to proceed
with the fight.



Perhaps the most memorable moment of the night came from Durbanite British
Boloyoang, who delivered a picture-perfect KO of Christian Omokhobio. The
highlight-reel finish not only secured Boloyoang's victory but also turned
heads as the athlete continues to build his legacy within the promotion.
Fans are now eagerly awaiting to see what comes next for this rising star.



With three championship titles on the line next month at EFC 120, the road
to the top has never been more thrilling and Africans greatest combat
sports promotion finishes a record-breaking year with its biggest fight
card yet!

OFFICIAL EFC 119 RESULTS:

Main Card

FLYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Edson Machavane def Terence Balelo by Split Decision after 5 Rounds

WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Juliet Chukwu def Dayne Van Wyk by Unanimous Decision after 5 Rounds

MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHT

Shadrack Nsua def Siyaku Dumisa Nomvemve by Unanimous Decision after 3
Rounds

WELTERWEIGHT FIGHT

Horatius Ndidi Alonu def Ziko Makengele via Knockout in Round 3 (0:58)

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Patrick Ocheme def Kaleka Kabanda via Knockout in Round 1 (1:49)



Prelim Card

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Adrian Sanchez def Elvis Ngwalangwala via TKO due to Strikes in Round 1
(3:21)

WELTERWEIGHT FIGHT

British Boloyoang def Christian Omokhobio via Knockout in Round 2 (1:20)

FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT

Nerik Simoes def Tapiwa Katikati by Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds

BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT

Moses Mokhari def Roevan De Beer via TKO due to Strikes in Round 1 (1:46)

FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT

Yaseen Adams def Allistar Kunene via TKO due to Strikes in Round 2 (1:38)

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Roberto Miyaba def William Lekana via Rear Naked Choke in Round 2 (4:26)

BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT

Thapelo Seabi def Vincent Nakana by Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds



Photos from the EFC 119 Fight Night can be found here
<https://efc.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/EFC-119/C0000i5iDNe0l.Qg>

PERFORMANCE BONUSES:

Patrick Ocheme

Horatius Ndidi Alonu

Yaseen Adams

British Boloyoang



FIGHT OF THE NIGHT:

Terence Balelo vs. Edson Machavane

FACEOFFS FIRE-UP FIGHT FANS

Official EFC 119 Weigh-ins

Johannesburg, 13 November 2024 – The atmosphere at the World Sports
Betting EFC Arena was electric as 24 fighters took to the scales today
ahead of tomorrow night's event. While tensions running high at the scale,
every athlete successfully passed the governing body's muster and looked
charged and ready for battle in what promises to be another truly
unforgettable night of MMA action.



For fans of high-stakes action, the matchup between Kaleka Kabanda (6-7)
and Patrick Ocheme (3-0) is a must-watch as it kicks-off the main card
following a sensational set of preliminary bouts. World Sports Betting has
Kabanda pegged as the clear favourite despite his hard-fought loss to Igeu
Kabesa at EFC 112 where he nonetheless proved himself a formidable
competitor and remains one to watch in the division. Ocheme, even though
boasting of an undefeated perfect 3-0 record in the EFC is a massive WSB
underdog. But the question remains: Can the rising star handle the
experience and skill of a seasoned athlete like Kaleka "The Block" Kabanda?
The outcome is anyone's guess.



The most heated moment of the weigh-ins came during the faceoff between
interim flyweight champion Terence Black Panther Balelo and his
challenger, Edson Trapdoor Spider Machavane. Balelo, known for his fiery
yet enigmatic personality, attempted to rattle his opponent by getting in
Machavane's face, but the undefeated Mozambican remained unshaken and
unphased. The number 1 contender's calm demeanour only seemed to fuel the
anticipation for their headlining title clash tomorrow night. With both
fighters on the right side of the needle, the tension between the two
promises to deliver fireworks in the Hexagon in one of the most
hotly-anticipated championship clashes of the year.



With the women's bantamweight title fight occupying the co-main event,
Pretorian Dayne "Quiet Storm" Van Wyk made a calm and composed appearance
on the scales, looking focused and ready for her fight against Nigeria's
knock-out artist Juliet Chukwu. Chukwu, similarly, weighed-in with a stoic
calmness and both women appeared determined and prepared for the battle
that awaits them tomorrow night.



Shadrack Nsua faced off against the undefeated Siya "The Chef" Nomvemve in
what promises to be an intriguing clash of styles. Mpumalanga's Nomvemve,
with a flawless 3-0 record in the EFC, enters the fight with momentum and
confidence, but Gqeberha's giant Nsua is no stranger to high-level
competition and will bring his wealth of experience to the Hex.



Another exciting fight on the card which is one of four Nigeria versus
Congo clashes, sees Horatious Alonu take on Ziko The Gorilla Makengela.
Alonu, a methodical and focused athlete, appeared sharp and ready as he hit
the scales. Makengela, who's returning to the EFC after a year-long hiatus
following his welterweight title loss to now teammate Mark Hulme (CIT),
looked equally prepared. Makengela is eager to climb the rankings once
again, eyeing a potential title shot after the champion is decided at EFC
120 next month.



With all 24 athletes making weight and ready for action, EFC 119 is shaping
up to be a spectacular event courtesy of a card that features a compelling
mix of top contenders, undefeated rising stars, and established veterans,
all hungry for victory. As the athletes step into the hexagon tomorrow
night, the energy in the arena will undoubtedly reach a fever pitch. So
expect fireworks, as these warriors leave it all on the line for glory,
title shots, and the chance to make their mark on the EFC stage. The Hex
lights are set, the athletes are ready, and EFC 119 is poised to deliver a
night of sensational MMA action.



Main Card

FLYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Terence Balelo (SA) 124.7lbs vs. Edson Machavane (SA) 123.3lbs

WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Dayne Van Wyk (SA) 132.8lbs vs. Juliet Chukwu (NGA) 132.5lbs

MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHT

Shadrack Nsua (DRC) 183.9lbs vs. Siyakudumisa Nomvemve (SA) 184.6lbs

WELTERWEIGHT FIGHT

Horatious Alonu (NGA) 168.8lbs vs. Ziko Makengele (DRC) 167.4lbs

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Kaleka Kabanda (DRC) 155 lbs vs. Patrick Ocheme (NGA) 154.8lbs



Prelim Card

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Adrian Sanchez (SA) 153.8lbs vs. Elvis Ngwalangwala (SA) 154.3lbs

WELTERWEIGHT FIGHT

British Boloyoang (SA) 168.5lbs vs. Christian Omokhobio (NGA) 167.4lbs

FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT

Tapiwa Katikati (SA) 144.7lbs vs. Nerik simoes (AGO) 143.4lbs

BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT

Moses Mokhari (SA) 134lbs vs. Roevan De Beer (SA) 134.4lbs

FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT

Allistar Kunene (SA) 144.8lbs vs. Yaseen Adams (SA) 144.8lbs

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

William Lekana (DRC) 152 lbs vs. Roberto Miyaba (DRC) 152lbs

BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT

Vincent Nakana (SA) 132.8 lbs vs. Thapelo Seabi (SA) 133.4lbs