Pena makes it 10-0 at EFC34
The packed crowd was treated to a showcase of world class MMA action on Thursday night, October 2, as Demarte Pena successfully defended his bantamweight title against Francois Groenwald, to take his fight record to 10-0.
On the night when EFC returned to the Big Top Arena at Carnival City, only one of 12 fights went to the judges, including seven title defends.
In the night’s main event, Pretoria native Leon ‘Iron Lion’ Mynhardt showed exactly why he is one of the best pure strikers in EFC, as he produced a relentless onslaught on Sibusiso ‘The Monster’ Mdoko to successfully defend his lightweight belt.
Mdoko initially tried to stand and trade with the champ, but had to rethink his game plan when he found himself on the receiving end of a pummelling, leaving his face out of sorts.
The status quo remained when the fight went to the ground, with Mynhardt deservedly retaining his belt when he sunk a rear-naked choke in what was arguably the most one-sided championship fight in EFC history.
In the night’s supporting main event, Groenewald was widely tipped as Pena’s toughest challenge yet. Groenewald, on a four-fight tear in the bantamweight division, had promised to defeat who he regarded a ‘boring’ champion.
The pre-fight talk apparently had an effect on the champion, who brought a far more aggressive and enterprising game to the hexagon.
Pena’s game plan left him vulnerable to submissions on the ground, but the strength and resilience of the Angolan ensured he foiled any of Groenewald’s attempts.
The dominant champion eventually managed to finish the challenger after landing a right cross in the fourth of five rounds, forcing the referee to halt the fight and award the TKO victory.
Former heavyweight champion Andrew van Zyl placed himself into contention for a title fight following his laboured victory over Vandam Mbuyi. The latter started off eagerly, landing big striking combinations.
Van Zyl showcased his iron jaw by weathering the storm to work out his rhythm and start dodging strikes. Van Zyl proceeded to taking Mbuyi down and landing punches after gaining Mbuyi’s back.
The latter promptly tapped before he took any harmful damage.
In the first fight on the main card, Tumisang Madiba, avenged his amateur loss to Hanru Botha with a slick guillotine choke early in the first round. He then went on to challenge the entire upper echelon of the division, eventually calling out the undefeated Tyson Chelin at the post-event press conference.
Fight of the Night award went to bantamweights Oumpie Sebeko and Lourens Botes for their closely contested bout. – @SabeloBoksburg
