Salute to the champion
McLellan (12-2-0) becomes the second EFC fighter to be signed to the UFC this year, following former EFC heavyweight champion, Ruan Potts, who was signed earlier in this year.
Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) has secured a six-fight contract for its middleweight champion Garreth ‘Soldierboy’ McLellan to fight at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) situated in Las Vegas, US.
McLellan (12-2-0) becomes the second EFC fighter to be signed to the UFC this year, following former EFC heavyweight champion, Ruan Potts, who was signed earlier in this year.
His debut is scheduled for March next year, and will see him represent EFC against middleweights from around the world.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Garreth to compete against some of the UFC’s best combatants and continue to show just how good he really is,” EFC president Cairo Howarth told the EFC website.
McLellan will relinquish his title with the soon-to-be vacant belt expected to be contested between former welterweight champion Michiel Opperman and Liam Clelland.
Both Opperman and Clelland were scheduled to face Soldierboy, but an injury to Clelland meant that his opportunity had to be put on hold, while Opperman was next in line to get a shot at the middleweight gong.
“I am extremely humbled and grateful for this opportunity,” said McLellan.
“My purpose is very clear; I am going there to win and make South Africa proud,” concludes the 32-year-old.
Follow Soldierboy’s UFC journey on Twitter @SoldierboyInc and Facebook at www.facebook.com/garreth.mclellan. – @SabeloBoksburg
