3 Things from EFC 96

1. Titles for Everyone!

EFC 96 was most certainly an event filled with many title fight conversations!

Starting with that early 3^rd round liver-kick that extended his winning streak, and based on the recent modus operandi of the EFC, Tapiwa Katikati (4-0) should be receiving his title-shot contract in the very near future.

Bradley Swanepoel announced himself ready – both literally and figuratively – to challenge for Igeu Kabesa’s featherweight strap after a clinical 1^st round submission victory over Guide Moyo.

Matunga Djikasa guaranteed his second Heavyweight title shot following a devastating oblique kick that ended a rather uneventful contender bout against Ivan Strydom. As per EFC Matchmaker, Graeme Cartmell, he is set to face Vandam Mbuyi later this year.

Nicholas Hwende took full advantage of the opportunity given him and grabbed the interim EFC Bantamweight strap, despite injuring his hand early in the bout against Gian Souza. It appears that he will be “upgraded” to full champion should current Champ, Cameron Saaiman, successfully navigate the DWCS and earn himself a UFC contract.

The main event witnessed Luthando Biko defend his Flyweight strap late in the 4^th round even though Magno Alves was given every opportunity to “hail Mary” it, including at least 5 verbal warnings to defend himself over the 3^rd and 4^th rounds!

2. The Altitude Factor.

Are foreign fighters afforded the opportunity to show us there best? This question was placed front-&-centre by both Brazilian title contenders following their respective loses at EFC 96. At the post-event press conference, both athletes expressed their desire to spend at least 4 weeks in SA prior to an event to allow them to acclimatise – especially to the altitude here in Johannesburg. Despite mentioning that they had both done things differently to mitigate the altitude, both were visibly flat going into the later rounds and this writer cannot help but think that we have get to see better international performances if the athletes are in fact afforded the opportunity to acclimatise better. In saying that, the EFC 96 main event was a battle between two “coastal” fighters, who would have been equally affected by the altitude and despite Biko having a tough weight-cut, he was able to power through, resulting in the best athlete winning on the night.

3. Slow Pace of Women Development.

Being an event held in the midst of “Women’s Month’ here in South Africa, fans are still waiting to see a female referee on an EFC Main Card! The opportunities have been plentiful but none would have sent a stronger message than to have SA’s only and most accomplished female referee officiate the straw-weight bout between Jessica Mouneimne and Haidy Ahmed shortly after National Women’s Day! But alas….. it was not meant to be, despite the fact referee Chyrene Strauss will again be officiating on the largest amateur stage of all – at the upcoming IMMAF Youth MMA World Championships – scheduled for 17-20 August 2022. Maybe next month the local administrators will see things differently, maybe?

It is no secret that the EFC women’s divisions are shallow. The almost dry-sole divisions were made even more glaringly obvious when, at the post-event presser, EFC matchmaker, Graeme Cartmell, indicated that it may be a good idea to bring back some of the TF2 fighters once their schedules allowed for it.

With very short pipeline of young female athletes in the amateur ranks; not much news on the plans of current Bantamweight Champ, Amanda Lino; and with Manon Fiorot and Karolina Wojcik current on UFC and DWCS duty, respectively, it is not a pretty sight and it may be some time before fans are treated to a fight-card with more than just the occasional “rose-among-the-thorns”!

A Complete List of the Official EFC 96 Results & Bonuses:

FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MAIN EVENT: 

Luthando Biko def. Magno Alves via TKO (Strikes) – Round 4 (04:34)

INTERIM BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP CO-MAIN EVENT:

Nicholas Hwende def. Gian Souza via TKO (Strikes) – Round 3 (04:23)

WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHT BOUT:

Jessica Mouneimne def. Haidy Ahmed via TKO (Strikes) – Round 1 (03:09)

HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT:
Matunga Djikasa def. Ivan Strydom via Verbal Submission – Round 1 (01:23)

FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT:

Bradley Swanepoel def. Guide Moyo via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 1 (03:14)

FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT:
Demba Seck def. Stephan de la Rey via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

FLYWEIGHT BOUT: 

Dansheel Moodley def. Fafa Dwama via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT: 

Tshepo Majuba def. Dylan Swanepoel via Verbal Submission – Round 2 (00:00)

LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT: 

Tapiwa Katikati def. Glody Kanzeko via TKO (Strikes) – Round 3 (00:20)

BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT: 

Musa Sethwape def. Nathaniel Komana via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

FLYWEIGHT BOUT:

Mpumelelo Mngoma def. Teboho Ntene via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

PERFORMANCE BONUSES: Glody Kanzeko & Nicholas Hwende

FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Demba Seck vs Stephan de la Rey