EFC 99 Not Out

EFC 99 MAIN CARD

Igeu Kabesa (14-2) vs. Bradley Swanepoel (5-0) – Featherweight Championship Fight 

Kabesa was only 6-0 when he first fought and beat Danny Hendry for his first Featherweight strap at EFC 47. Since then he has lost and won back the title on 2 occassions (EFC 57 – Loss to Danny Hendry; EFC 62 – Beat Pierre Botha for the vacant strap after Hendry vacated when he signed for the UFC) then (EFC 86 – Loss to Reinaldo Ekson before defeating Nerick Simoes at EFC 95 for the again vacant featherweight strap). Swanepoel is undefeated as a combat sports athlete and has only gone the distance once in his professional career. Both are credentialed ground specialists with Kabesa probably having the advantage with his storied wrestling career. Should be a great scrap, one that I figure will be more of a stand-up affair.

Nico Yamdjie (4-7) vs. Adama Diop (0-0) – Heavyweight Fight

Yamdjie comes into this bout off that win over Sholto Luiters at EFC 94 and finds himself up against another Senagalese wrestler who will be making his MMA debut. You will recall that Yamdjie dispatched the much vaunted Papa Ibrahima Ndour in less than 3 minutes back at EFC 90. Will be become the “Senegali Slayer” with a quick win over another West-African fighter?

JT Botha (1-1) vs. Kaleka Kabanda (5-6) – Welterweight Fight

Both fighters will be looking to continue their winning ways with Botha coming in off that dominating win over journeyman Pietie Coxen, while Kabanda snapped his 5-fight skid with that win over Guelor Sondi at EFC 97 back in September. Despite making weight, not seeing Kabanda at the weighins makes one wonder about his conditioning especially considering that he is a last-minute replacement.

Tapiwa Katikati (4-0) vs. Robert Simbowe (3-5) – Lightweight Fight

Undefeated Katikati looks to cement his position as a Lightweight contender with another solid performance against Simbowe, who snapped his 3-fight skid at EFC 95 with a slick submission win over Given Majuba. Many see this as a possible FOTN, for me it is more about seeing the ground-game of Katikati especially considering the camp he comes from.

Tumelo Manyamala (2-0) vs. Salahuddin Plaatjies (2-2) – Flyweight Fight

Manyamala looks to continue his dream start with another comprehensive performance, but in front of him is a man with a solid amateur record and who is looking to snap a 2-fight skid following his second loss by KO to title contender Magno Alves. What is concerning is that Plaatjies is returning to full competition less that 5 months after being violently knocked out at EFC 94 back in June.

EFC 99 PRELIM CARD

Shadrack Nsua (0-0) vs. Francois Cundari (2-5) 

The only Middleweight bout on the card sees the debutant Shadrack Nsua take on Francois Cundari, who has not won in the hexagon since late 2017 and is currently on a 4-fight skid. Not sure why matchmaker Graeme Cartmell persists with headlining unproven debutants but it seems he is developing quite the “love-affair” with what Mike Mouneimne and PFA have to offer!

Katiso Matime (0-2) vs. David Mambo (0-0) – Featherweight Fight

Matime aims to pick up his first professional win when he meets another debutant on the card, who has some serious amateur pedigree, having beaten the likes of Raymond Acutt and Nathaniel Komana. Should be a fun scrap for all.

Tshepo Majuba (1-2) vs. Simbarashe Hokonya (0-0) – Featherweight Fight

Following on his “gifted” win over Dylan Swanepoel last time out, we look forward to see what this young fighter has top offer against debutant Hokonya. 

Dylan Swanepoel (1-2) vs. Yebo Ntambwe (0-2) – Featherweight Fight

Not sure what to make of Swanepoel coming into this bout as, during his last outing, he appeared to give-up at the end of the 1^st round against Tshepo Majuba – losing by verbal submission. Ntambwe is looking for his first professional win, having lost to Swanepoel’s older brother, Bradley as well as Musa Sethwape, who Swanepoel choked out in the first round of their encounter. Using MMA maths, this should be a “guaranteed win” for Swanepoel, lets hope the “Punisher” pitches for the show!

Teboho Ntene (0-3) vs. Lukhmaan Jhazbhay (0-2) – Flyweight Fight

Someone’s getting their first professional win!

Aly Kalambay (1-4) vs. Elvis Ngwalangwala (2-5)

Opening the card with the first of two Lightweight bouts sees Ngwalangwala, on a 2-fight skid, up against Kalambay who is looking to continue his winning ways after snapping a 4-fight skid at Omega 1, having never won at the EFC. If the weighins are anything to go by, this will be one hell-of-a-start!