SMILEY CEMENTS A LEGACY OF GREATNESS!

EFC 115 delivered a thrilling night of mixed martial arts action, showcasing incredible performances and dramatic outcomes that left fans on the edge of their seats at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena where Igeu ‘Smiley’ Kabesa kept his lightweight belt with another astonishing display of dominance by finishing his opponent, Humphrey Mulenga with a scintillating first-round submission victory. 

With a packed undercard of seven bouts of which only one went the distance, the stage was set for an adrenaline-fueled main card that featured relentless action from start to finish.

The outstanding flyweight bout between Edson Machavane and Salahuddin Plastjies was the lone fight to go the distance, showcasing a display of technical prowess and determination on the canvas. Edson Machavane emerged victorious by unanimous decision, proving his mettle in a closely contested match which garnered the fight of the night honours and concomitant performance bonuses for both protagonists.

Billy ‘The Kid’ Oosthuizen continued to display an ever-improving skillset by dominating his opponent Sibusiso Sovendle on the ground, working into a position through his striking to sink in the rear-naked choke to take the tap after exciting new CIT heavyweight Justin Clarke made equally short work of his opponent after the massive Boyka Kabangu verbally submitted to strikes in the first.

The heavies continued to thrill as Anthony ‘Big’ Morel made history as the first mixed-martial arts champion in the history of Réunion Island, emerging victorious to claim the vacant Heavyweight title after a battle against Joffie Houlton. The French standout took the TKO win after a period of hellacious ground and pound from which his English opponent found no respite, forcing the referee’s stoppage in the very first round.

But the evening belonged to Kabesa who retains his champ-champ status as the king of both the featherweight and lightweight divisions, with the latter title on the line against the previously unstoppable Zambian, Humphrey Mulenga. After a series of throws and takedowns from which the Lusakan attempted yet failed to escape, the Limpopo-based continental goat sank in the choke to take an almost immediate tap. It continues to bewilder and dismay fight fans across the continent that his opportunity to compete in Las Vegas remains unfulfilled even though it undoubtedly continues to be a privilege to witness greatness every time he enters the Hexagon.

In a pin-dropping moment, an intense face-off between Luke Michael and Jaco du Plessis set the stage for their upcoming clash at EFC 116 on the 8th of August, where they will vie for the Middleweight championship left vacant by the retiring JP Kruger. The anticipation for this showdown is palpable among fans and pundits alike.

EFC 115 was a testament to the athleticism and spirit of MMA, showcasing the best of South African talent on a global stage. As the promotion looks ahead to future events, excitement continues to build for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in EFC history.

OFFICIAL EFC 115 RESULTS:

Main Card

LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Igeu Kabesa def  Humphrey Mulenga via Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke  in Round 1 (1:51)

HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Anthony Morel def Joffie Houlton via TKO due to Strikes  in Round 1 (4:49)

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT

Edson Machavane def Salahuddin Plaatjies via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Billy Oosthuizen def Sibusiso Sovendle via Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke in Round 1 (3:50)

HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT

Justin Clarke def Boyka Kabangu via Tapout due to Verbal Submission in Round 2 (1:53)

Prelim Card

FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT

Ken Sekeletu def Nkosi Doyisa via TKO due to Strikes in Round 1 (4:53)

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT

Ntando Zondi def Bheki Ngcobo via Tapout due to Ninja Choke in Round 1 (3:17)

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Patrick Ocheme def Guide Moyo via TKO due to Strikes in Round 2 (4:04)

MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHT

Siyakudumisa Nomvemve def Christopher Matukane via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds

BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT

Rian Dunn def Tshepo Majuba via Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke in Round 1 (2:59)

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT

Kelvin Smit def David Makane via Tap Out due to Heel Hook Submission in Round 1 (1:02)

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT

Siyanda Vilakazi def Tebatso Matlhobowane via TKO in Round 1 (0:10)

Photos from the EFC 115 Fight Night can be found here

 

PERFORMANCE BONUSES:

Siyanda Vilakazi

Kelvin Smit

Rian Dunn

Billy Oosthuizen

Igeu Kabesa

 

FIGHT OF THE NIGHT:

Edson Machavane and Salahuddin Plaatjies

EFC 116 is presented by World Sports Betting and takes place on Thursday, 8 August 2024, live from the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in JHB, South Africa.

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1
GREATNESS HAS A NEW NAME!

For many years, The EFC Performance Institute in Paulshof, Johannesburg, played an indelible role in the heady nascent years of African combat sports. Created as an exclusive space where athletes could both train and compete, fighters from across the world affectionately called the ‘PI’ their home and with 20 EFC fighters having now competed in the UFC, the program has been a phenomenal success. Playing host to EFC’s worldwide broadcasts as well as intercontinental championships and international boxing tournaments, it has also welcomed a range of fledgling amateur promotions as part of EFC’s unique contribution to the ecosystem of combat sports on the continent.

But a revolution is coming. A revolution that builds upon the shoulders of such vaunted history to create a brighter future, as now, ‘The EFC Performance Institute’ recedes into the storied mists of history.

Today, the EFC is delighted to announce the renaming of this South African sporting landmark to ‘The World Sports Betting Arena’, securing the venue as a place where glory is fought for and won, for decades to come. Athletes, fans, broadcasters, businesses, and teams from across the world will continue to enjoy the Arena, bigger, better and more action-packed than ever before!

This renaming will be across all platforms, including:

Prominent World Sports Betting branding inside the venue will be streamed live around the world, not just in EFC broadcasts, but for the entire panoply of live sporting events that it hosts
All EFC live event marketing will be ‘live at the World Sports Betting Arena’
All EFC live broadcasts will be situated as ‘here at the World Sports Betting Arena’
Prominent World Sports Betting branding outside the venue will be visible from the air as well as surrounding major transport hubs
All media/press releases will say ‘taking place at the World Sports Betting Arena’
The World Sports Betting Arena will be listed on Google Maps, Uber and other address platforms
EFC President Cairo Howarth: “WSB has been a fantastic partner of EFC for many years, and we continue to grow together. This addition to the partnership goes beyond EFC, and we look forward to exciting months ahead.”

World Sports Betting CEO Warren Tannous: “This partnership emulates a majestic force between 2 strong brands, a partnership that has become renowned for its success within the EFC sphere. Renaming this remarkable venue truly emphasizes our vision and commitment to the sport and we look forward to seeing this alliance further manifest into a world renown franchise”

Throughout its 15-year history, EFC has revolutionized combat sports in Africa. But today’s announcement is not about history, it’s about creating a legacy of greatness that undeniably proves that Africans are world champions and global leaders, not just in sport, but in any field of endeavor they damn well choose. So welcome to the World Sports Betting Arena, and welcome to the future. We’ll see you there!

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SEE PROFILE

2
BREATHTAKING BADAT BATTERS SOUSA TO TAKE TITLE

A truly sensational night of fights blew the roof off the EFC Performance Institute in Johannesburg with an unprecedented amount of finishes with only two fights out of 13 barn-burners that went to the judges’ scorecards, in what many cageside pundits are calling the greatest event in the 15-year history of the EFC.

In the main event, the welterweight title went to Durban’s Zaakir Badat who knocked-out Cape Town’s Jailson Sousa with a lightning-quick combination of power-punches in the opening exchanges of the first round. Whilst calling for peace on the post-victory microphone he simultaneously declared himself ready for any welterweight prepared to take his shiny new belt buckle away from the East Coast.

The co-main event, a number one contender fight for the bantamweight title was an equally alacritous yet sensational affair, with two former champions going toe-to-toe in search of halcyon glories. Former Cape Town Uber driver Faeez ‘Troublemaker’ Jacobs, upset the World Sports Betting odds by knocking-out the favourite Sylvester ‘Gladiator’ Chipfumbu, also in the first-round, to set-up a showdown with Nkazimulo Zulu further down the line.

The flyweights were not to be outshone however, as another Cape Town phenom, Tumelo ‘Bones of Steel’ Manyamala scored a third round TKO victory of Micky Cloete to take the top ranking spot and also set-up a title shot, with the PFA standout displaying mercurial kickboxing and footwork to flummox the Potchefstroom vet and force the referees stoppage.

Returning Nigerian welterweight, Ndidi Horatious ‘Rage’ Alonu added a new threat to the 170lb division by placing a divisional marker with a hellacious TKO of Cole Henning in the second round, in a weight category that is beginning to explode with talent. The main card was opened by a lightweight scrap, that was over before it had even begun, with Mpumalanga’s Vince Bembe separating Adrian Sanchez from his consciousness a mere 13 seconds into the first round and send the crowd into delirium. With 6 equally thrilling stoppages, the prelims could have been on any main card anywhere in the world as the EFC continues to prove why its considered by many in the entertainment industry to be the most valuable sports promotion on the African continent today!

OFFICIAL EFC 113 RESULTS:

Main Card

WELTERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Zaakir Badat def Jailson Sousa, the ref called a stop to the contest in Round1 due to Knock Out (1:56)

BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Faeez Jacobs def Sylvester Chipfumbu, the ref called a stop to the contest in Round 1 due to Knock Out (1:15)

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT

Tumelo Manyamala def Micky Cloete, the ref called a stop to the contest in Round 3 due to Strikes (0:30)

WELTERWEIGHT FIGHT

Horatious Alonu def Cole Henning via TKO due to Strikes Round 2 (1:58)

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Vince Bembe def Adrian Sanchez, the ref called a stop to the contest in Round 1 due to Knock Out (0:13)

Prelim Card

FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT

Guide Moyo def Sizwe Mnikathi after 3 Rounds via Unanimous Decision

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT

Edson Machavane def Kgaugelo Moitshela

via tapout due to Triangle Choke Round 2 (3:04)

HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT

Justin Clarke def Willem Smit via Knock Out Round 1 (0:34)

BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT

Lucky Magekha def Jesse Schaper via Unanimous decision after 3 Rounds

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT

Salahuddin Plaatjies def Godknows Ndlovu due to rear naked choke Round 1 (3:22)

WELTERWEIGHT FIGHT

British Boloyoang def Given Majuba via tapout due to Americana armlock Round 1 (1:46)

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Patrick Ocheme def Glody Kanzeko, the ref called a stop to the contest in Round 2 due to Knock Out (0:20)

FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT

Allistar Kunene def Kenan Hornabrook via TKO due to strikes Round 1 (4:24)

PERFORMANCE BONUSES:

Patrick Ocheme

British Boloyoang

Edson Machavane

Guide Moyo

Vince Bembe

Tumelo Manyamala

Faeez Jacobs

Zaakir Badat

FIGHT OF THE NIGHT:

Lucky Magekha vs. Jesse Schaper

SEE PROFILE

3
SOUSA AND BADAT RESPECTFUL, AS CHIPFUMBU TEARS INTO JACOBS

The anticipation for EFC 113 reached fever pitch today, as all 26 athletes stepped onto the scales for the official weigh-ins, setting the stage for an electrifying night of mixed martial arts action. With a jam-packed card featuring thrilling matchups, tomorrow night promises to deliver edge-of-your-seat excitement to fans worldwide.

In the main event, Zaakir Badat and Jailson De Sousa are set to collide for the welterweight title in a battle of titans, with both fighters vying for victory in what is sure to be an epic showdown. After both hit the scale in front of a raucous crowd, they acknowledged the respect and esteem in which they hold each other, but with the understanding that when the Hex door closes, they will engage in the biggest fight of their lives.

Zimbabwean hero Sylvester Chipfumbu faced off against the formidable Faeez Jacobs, as both seek to reclaim their former bantamweight glory in a fight for number one contendership. With Chipfumbu having beaten the Capetonian before, it was Jacobs who has prematurely claimed a revengeful victory tomorrow night, yet it was the Zimbabwean who was not short of words for his opponent at the face-off in a highly-charged atmosphere that just elicited a grin of excitement from Jacobs.

The race for the flyweight gold also heats up tomorrow night, with Micky ‘The Mouse’ Cloete squaring off against Tumelo ‘Bones of Steel’ Manyamala to contest who earns the right to face the imperious Nkazimulo Zulu. Fan favourite Cole ‘The Hitman’ Henning welcomed Ndidi Alonu from Nigeria back to the EFC welterweight division after perennial contenders Vince Bembe and Adrian Sanchez continue their search for advancement up the lightweight rankings.

With every single fighter successfully making weight and each bout now rubber-stamped, EFC 113 will have 13 thrilling fights in one of the most stacked cards witnessed at the EFC Performance Institute.

Main Card

WELTERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Zaakir Badat (SA) 168.9lbs vs. Jailson De Sousa (BRA) 169.4lbs

CATCHWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Faeez Jacobs (SA) 137.7lbs vs. Sylvester Chipfumbu (ZWE) 138.9lbs

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT

Tumelo Manyamala (SA) 125.5lbs vs. Micky Cloete (SA) 124.8lbs

WELTERWEIGHT FIGHT

Ndidi Alonu (NGA) 168.5lbs vs. Cole Henning (SA)169.8 lbs

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Adrian Sanchez (SA) 155.5lbs vs. Vince Bembe (SA) 153.4lbs

Prelim Card

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Sizwe Mnikathi (SA) 154.4lbs vs. Guide Moyo (SA) 154.9lbs

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT

Edson Machavane (MOZ) 124.5lbs vs. Kgaugelo Moitshela (SA) 125.6lbs

HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT

Willem Smit (SA) 227.2lbs vs. Justin Clarke (SA) 243.7lbs

CATCHWEIGHT FIGHT

Jesse Schaper (SA) 140.8lbs vs. Lucky Magekha (SA) 137.8lbs

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT

Salahuddin Plaatjies (SA) 124lbs vs. Godknows Ndlovu (ZWE) 125.4lbs

WELTERWEIGHT FIGHT

British Boloyoang (DRC) 170.1lbs vs. Given Majuba(SA) 169.1lbs

LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

Glody Kanzeko (DRC) 154.4lbs vs. Patrick Ocheme (NGA) 155.5lbs

FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT

Kenan Hornabrook (SA) 145lbs vs. Allistar Kunene (SA) 144.3lbs

Prelim bouts start at 14:30 CAT

Main card bouts start at 19:00 CAT

SEE PROFILE

4
DOORS OPEN TO FIGHT WEEK FOR EFC 113

EFC 113 cracks off in just one week with 26 mixed-martial artists ready to throw down in the centre of the ultimate proving ground of human combat; the fabled Hexagon. Adding to excitement EFC fans can now join in on behind the scenes events in an unprecedented opportunity for them to get up-close and personal with the athletes.

With former welterweight champion Mark Hulme now entering the UFC’s TUF House in Vegas, jiu-jitsu wizard Zaakir Badat will face fellow grappling great Jailson Sousa for the vacant belt. Even though both title contenders are able to pull-off a dizzying array of submissions, they also boast of knock-out finishes with the fists as complete all-round martial artists. This is not a title fight expected to go the distance!

In the co-main event slot, fan-favourite and former champ Faeez Jacobs is out for revenge in a number one contender rematch, against the imposing Zimbabwean talent Sylvester Chipfumbu who snatched Jacob’s title in dramatic scenes 3 years ago. With Badat and Chipfumbu the marginal favourites at World Sports Betting, any result between all four fighters is too close to call.

Two flyweights on massive winning streaks collide for the number one contendership of the 125lb division with victory for either Tumelo Manyamala or Micky Cloete being rewarded with the dubious honour of having to face the legendary Nkazimulo ‘King Shaka’ Zulu.

Top Nigerian welterweight Horatious ‘Rage’ Alonu returns after a lengthy absence to face another lethal veteran in Cole Henning. With most of his wins by knockout, the Hitman has been on target 5 times in the Hex but Alonu has 11 top-drawer victories courtesy of his pure KO power and merciless ground and pound.

Following his sensational KO victory over Tapiwa Katikati at EFC 111, PFA matador Adrian Sanchez continues to state his claim for contendership, but very few of the best have been able to get past his opponent, Vince Bembe whose highlight reel is a thing of beauty. The Dominators Den destructor just gets better with every trip to the Hex but he’ll need all of his grappling chops against the Capetonian, as these two warriors open the main card, following the superb prelim action of 8 action-packed bouts.

With the build-up of Fight week, EFC, is thrilled to announce that it has opened its doors to spectators for all Fight Week events leading up to EFC 113. This move will give fans unprecedented access to the behind-the-scenes action and the opportunity to engage directly with the athletes.

The exciting line-up of Fight Week events includes:

– Pre-Fight Press Conference: On Monday of Fight Week at 13:00, fans can attend the press conference at the EFC Performance Institute in Sunninghill, where past, present, and future athletes will discuss upcoming fights, address any feuds, and share their plans for the future.

– Early Weigh-In: For the first time ever, the early weigh-in on Wednesday morning at 8:00 will be open to spectators, allowing fans to witness the drama and tension as the fighters step on the scales, first hand.

– Ceremonial Weigh-In: The official weigh-in, which will take place at 12:30 on the same day where fans can see the athletes face off before the main event.

– Fight Night: The main event, which will take place at the EFC Performance Institute in a private production facility from 3pm, will still be open to the public, with VIP invitations available for purchase at R1950 each.

– Post-Event Conference: Immediately following the fights, a live post-event conference will be held, where fans in attendance can participate in a Q&A session with the athletes.

SEE PROFILE

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