Incredible start to the fight year
EFC 47 kicked off the year in superb fashion at Carnival City on Saturday night, March 5.
The crowd in attendance were treated to action-packed fights, with some incredible skill on display.
The evening culminated in DRC-born Igeu Kabesa claiming a deserved victory over Scotland’s Danny Henry to bring the featherweight title back to African soil and in doing so, becoming the first EFC champion from the DRC.
The main event saw Kabesa dominate from start to finish through a display of wrestling excellence. Henry had no answer for the challenger over five rounds and looked out of sorts.
Apart from a brief spell in the fourth round where Henry came close to sinking a rear-naked choke, Kabesa controlled his opponent through a mixture of great top control and fluid transitions onto his opponent’s back, where he landed strike after strike.
In the co-main event, the prospect of a bout between Boyd Allen and Leon Mynhardt at lightweight had MMA fans salivating.
The bout was born out of a late withdrawal of contender Dave Mazany due to an infection.
True to form, the athletes left it all in the hexagon in a dream fight that will live long in the memory of those who watched.
Allen walked away the victor by split decision after methodically picking his opponent apart with clinical striking and superior movement.
The lightweight champion’s face was evidence of Allen’s continuous onslaught, with the fight having to be paused to repair a heavily bleeding broken nose midway through the second round.
After three rounds, the fans were on their feet for both athletes who put on a show to be remembered.
The result leaves a question that needs to be answered – will Boyd Allen move up to lightweight to challenge for the title?
EFC president Cairo Howarth opened the door for him in the post fight press conference: “Boyd can pick whatever fight he wants. If he wants a rematch with Leon for the title, he can have it.”
EFC 47 results:
- Brendan Lesar defeated Jean-Marie Kabeya via unanimous decision.
- Stefan Pretorius defeated Robo Ambamba via triangle choke two minutes and seven seconds into round one.
- DuHo Kim defeated Pieter de Klerk via rear-naked choke four minutes and 54 seconds into round two.
- JP Buys defeated Roevan de Beer via rear-naked choke three minutes and 24 seconds into round one.
- Anicet Kanyeba defeated Tshilumba Mulumba via TKO three minutes and 36 seconds into round three.
- Martin de Beer defeated Lourens Botes via rear-naked choke two minutes and 56 seconds into round one.
- Amanda Lino defeated Jacqualine Trosee via TKO 10 seconds into round one.
- Barend Nienaber defeated Tumisang Madiba via unanimous decision.
- Brendon Katz defeated Sizwe Mnikathi via unanimous decision.
