EFC 103 And A Bizarre Night of Fights

It was the OG, JP Kruger, who made short work – via 1^st round submission – of fellow veteran, Conrad Seabi, to earn the EFC interim Middleweight strap and in so doing, set-up a unification bout with current Middleweight champ, Luke Michael. It was a respectful encounter that saw Kruger gently lay Seabi on the canvas after an initial stand-up exchange, ultimately taking his back and slapping on the rear-naked choke to force the tap. It would ultimately prove to be Seabi’s final fight as he announced his retirement in the post-fight interview, citing the need to continue his mentorship of the Brothers In Arms Fight Team he has so successfully groomed in Pretoria. 

In the co-main event, the returning Roedie Roets utilised his superior wrestling to earn the early takedown and force August Kayambala to defend multiple attempts at finishing the fight. The defensive effort proved too much for Kayambala who verbally submitted early in the second round while not in any danger whatsoever! His actions did not seem to sit well with his new team at CIT, who left shortly thereafter. Judging by the comments made by EFC matchmaker, Graeme Cartmell, at the post-event presser, this may well be the last time we see Kayambala compete in the EFC. We will watch this space!

The emotion in the hexagon from both Roets and his coach/father – who was in his corner – was laid bare for all to see and speaks to the life-threatening ordeal that Roets endured in Thailand a few years ago. 

Terence Balelo continued his incredible run, moving to 4-0 and in the process racked up his third early finish this time over top prospect, Kgaugelo Moitshela, who suffered his first professioanl defeat. The post-event presser saw much banter around possible next opponents for Balelo with both Magno Alves and Nkazimulo Zulu seemingly at the top of the list.

The standout fight of the night and deserved FOTN was the women’s Strawweight bout where amateur African MMA champ, Nicole van Wyk, tested the ground defence of Kenyan striker Felista Mugo who refused to tap to several deep submission attempts throughout the first round. The second round ground-&-pound was too much for Mugo, forcing the referee to stop the contest and give Van Wyk her Pro debut win. I cannot help thinking that if Mugo continued to fight behind the jab, the outcome may have been different.

The opening bout of the EFC 103 main card bout became a controversial affair when Christian Mulamba complained of a low-blow from Eduardo Barros despite it looking like a legal knee to the midriff. The subsequent Oscar-worthy performance from Mulamba had the crowd booing as Mulamba required a stretcher to leave the hexagon. The fight was subsequently deemed a ‘no-contest’.

OFFICIAL EFC 103 PRELIM RESULTS:

CATCHWEIGHT BOUT: Tumelo Manyamala def. Dauda Rajabu by tapout due to Strikes – Round 3 (2.48)

HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT: Juan Bezuidenhout def. Boyka Kabanga by TKO due to Strikes – Round 1 (4.47)

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT: Godknows Ndlovu def. Vuyo Jula by Disqualification due to Illegal Knee to the Head of a Grounded Opponent – Round 1 (1.34)

FLYWEIGHT FIGHT: Mickey Cloete def. Mpumelelo Mngoma by TKO due to Strikes – Round 2 (4.20)

FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT: Lecture Gumbi def. David Mambo by Disqualification due to Illegal Strike – Round 3 (2:01)

FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT: Simbarashe Hokonya def. Ayanda Zwane by Split Decision after 3 Rounds

EFC 103 PERFORMANCE BONUSES:

Roedie Roets

Terence Balelo

Juan Bezuidenhout