Opportunity Knocked at EFC 108!

The EFC Bantamweight division has become a ‘short-notice surprise spectacle’ over the last few months with Nkazimulo Zulu winning the EFC Bantamweight strap as the short notice replacement at EFC 105 against Musa Sethwape. Fast-forward to last week’s EFC 108 card, where Terence Balelo, on just 10 hours notice, became the owner of the interim Bantamweight strap defeating Musa Sethwape. Well, either its the division or Sethwape…..you decide!

After a surprisingly good night of fights at EFC 108, here are five things we now know:

1. Musa Sethwape struggled to find the kind of form that made his battle with Nkazimulo Zulu at EFC 105 such an instant EFC classic, against Terrence Balelo on Thursday night. Our initial thoughts on his performance was that the drama of the previous 36 hours had played a hand in the final mental preparations ahead the fight. Discussions with EFC matchmaker, Graeme Cartmell, after the event seemed to confirm our initial suspicions, this was until we had a discussion with Sethwape himself. He confirmed that he had indeed struggled to get going in the fight where he was a constant target for the slick counters of Balelo. He confessed that because he had a good relationship with Balelo, he struggled to pull the trigger and as a result was unable to effect his game plan. As much as that is not what we would want to hear, it is great to know that some fighters do not live vicariously through their coaches!

2. Unlike other global promotions, the EFC does not subscribe to the concept of having a back-up fighter for EFC Title Fights.

3. The EFC is fast becoming annoyed with the antics of fighters who choose to put on ‘oscar-worthy’ performances in the cage for apparent illegal strikes only to walk out of the cage unassisted and even attempt to fight with the opponents back stage – as was the case of Jeremie Tshibala in his NC against Khulekani Hlongwa. Repeated replays of the supposed “nut-shot” clearly show no contact with the nether realm, which one can only deduce was used as a way out! Considering other recent instances – Barros vs Mulamba (EFC 103) and Nguphane vs Kamba (EFC 105) – Cartmell stated that the EFC along with the sanctioning body will be looking into what can be done, including what sanctions can be put in place to deter fighters from this form of acting, especially since it robs opponents and fans of potentially great fights and also seems to mostly take place on the main card in front of millions of TV viewers………hmmmmm!

4. In an attempt to ensure great match-ups on all future EFC cards, Ashley Calvert has joined the EFC matchmaking team to assist with the setting-up of fights. The idea, as explained by Cartmell, is to have an additional set of eyes, ears and thoughts so as to ensure the best possible matchups and avoid some of the recent mismatches. Does this mean that Calvert has retired from competition? We will find out.

5. The crop of young talent emanating out of South Africa was on full display at EFC 108. With five debutants on the Prelim Card – including a heavyweight – the appeal of amateurs moving into professional fighting has clearly not diminished which is not surprising considering the state of the Amateur administration is SA right now! This bodes well for 2024, as the EFC has been struggling with their roster of late, especially with many of the more recognisable names looking across the pond for international fight experience. This was always going to be a struggle in the post-pandemic period especially when one considers that the most experienced fighter at EFC 108 had a record, coming into the event, of 5-7 and Stefan Pretorius was himself returning from an unsuccessful stint at UAE Warriors.

Below are the full results from EFC 108:

MAIN CARD

Terence Balelo def. Musa Sethwape via UD – New interim EFC Bantamweight Champ 

Shadrack Nsua def. Stefan Pretorius via UD

Ayanda Zwane def Emmanuel Sita via UD

Khulekani Hlongwa vs Jeremie Tshibala – NC (Tshibala did not want to be there)

Ken Sekeletu def. Andile Gasa via 1^st Rnd KO Knockout (0.37)

PRELIM CARD

Glody Kanzeko def. Alexander Olave via 1^st Rnd TKO (4:59)

Nicolaas Vermaak def. Christiaan Mulamba via 2^nd Rnd Submission (Guillotine Choke) (0.13)

Boyka Kabangu def. Johan Van Schaik via 1^st Rnd TKO (1:27)

Tebatso Molele def. Moses Mokhari via UD

Kelvin Smit def. Tyral Louw via 1^st Rnd Submission (Arm Bar) (4:06)

Emerson Pedro def. Rudolf Sekhukhune via SD

All Images: Courtesy EFC