Doyle returns post-surgery to fight Simoes
Former bantamweight title contender and fan favorite, Cedric Doyle (8-4) is set to make his return to the EFC Hexagon, for the first time in over two years, since undergoing brain surgery. ‘The Dominator’ is set to take-on Angola’s Nerick Simoes (2-1) on the main card at EFC 71, on Saturday, June 23. Doyle was …
Former bantamweight title contender and fan favorite, Cedric Doyle (8-4) is set to make his return to the EFC Hexagon, for the first time in over two years, since undergoing brain surgery.
‘The Dominator’ is set to take-on Angola’s Nerick Simoes (2-1) on the main card at EFC 71, on Saturday, June 23.
Doyle was hospitilised after his interim title fight against Irshaad Sayed, EFC 48. Having undergone surgery and spending every waking hour for the last two years working towards his return, the time has finally come.
“No one has ever done this in the past,” stated Doyle upon signing for the fight. “And no one will ever do this again.”
Doyle, one of the most dangerous athletes on the EFC roster, has fought for the title twice, once against Demarte Pena and once against Irshaad Sayed. Besides Pena vs Sayed, Doyle has been the closest to defeating either man; nearly knocking-out Pena and almost submitting Sayed.
Doyle, who runs his own gym (Dominator’s Den in Secunda), returns to a new era in the bantamweight division, but its one he is determined to continue making his mark and leaving a legacy in.
(Photo by Ruby Wolff / EFC Africa 2014)
He now faces the threat of a new generation, and his first challenge is in his adversary, Demarte Pena’s friend and countryman, Nerick Simoes. Formally a featherweight, the young Angolan is making his debut at the lighter division. This will be his first appearance on the main card.
Simoes, who is based in Pretoria at Team CIT alongside athletes such as Marino Cutendana, Dricus Du Plessis and Danella Eliasov; has a team who know what it means to fight against the upper rungs of a division, but that does not remove any of the pressure. At EFC 46 his teammate, Gareth Buirski, lost a close decision to Doyle and the task is now on him to even the score.
This exciting bout takes place at the main card just ahead of the heavyweight super title fight between Andrew van Zyl and Champion Dalcha and the flyweight championship between Nkazimulo Zulu vs Bokang Masunyane.
EFC 71 will take place at Carnival City on Saturday, June 23, 2018.
Tickets are on sale soon at computicket.com
