Buys is finally set for EFC debut
After missing out on a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut at EFC 40, at Carnival City on Saturday, June 6, due to illness Farrarmere resident JP Buys is finally going to have his opportunity at EFC 41.
“I am feeling better than ever,” the 19-year-old prodigy told the Herald on Tuesday, June 23.
On missing out at EFC 40, Buys commented: “I wasn’t disappointed at first when I got sick and missed out on my debut fight [against Jasen van der Merwe], but when I was watching on the night disappointment did set in, because I knew I could beat Jasen after watching his fight.”
His new opponent, in the lightweight division, is set to be another EFC first-timer, Josemar “Black Ninja” Octavio, who fights out of Windhoek, Namibia.
Asked what he knows about his opponent, Buys said: “I know that he’s a stand-up guy.
“We fought in the same league at amateur level.
“He has never wowed me as an amateur so I know that whatever he brings to the fight I can better match.”
With his wrestling experience the Fight Fit Militia fighter is confident that he will take Octavio to the ground.
“Why stand and trade punches when I can win on the ground?” he asked.
Buys did not want to give away any secrets regarding particular areas he has been working on in training, but he did say that he was working extremely hard ahead of his July 11 date in the Big Top Arena.
The fighter is also thrilled that he will finally make his professional debut at Carnival City.
“It’s great for me, because it means that all my friends and family can come support me without having to travel far,” he said.
