Awesome EFC action

Brakpan-based Xtreme Kickboxing Technologies (XKT) Pro League’s fighters Francois “Franaconda” Groenewald and Cedric “The Dominator” Doyle recorded excellent victories.

Lightweight champion Leon Mynhardt defended his title, Nkazimulo Zulu was crowned the inaugural bantamweight champion, and stand-out youngster Dricus du Plessis earned himself the middleweight top contender spot, after a victory over the legendary Donavin Hawkey.

The bout between lightweight champion Mynhardt and challenger Frederich Naumann had been billed as the ultimate showdown and Mynhardt entered the fight a tested legend of African MMA.

In Naumann, however, he faced an opponent with an incredibly dynamic skillset.

In 2013 Naumann had a dream debut year, winning a record four performance bonuses over four appearances, but on Thursday night he was no match for Mynhardt.

After immediately attacking with a series of kicks, Naumann was rocked by a right hand and four more punches that sent him reeling to the canvas.

The 38-second knockout was Mynhardt’s fastest victory in the Hexagon, and another notch on the belt of an iconic athlete.

EFC AFRICA’s inaugural bantamweight bout was the spectacle many predicted.

Former teammates Nkazimulo Zulu and Charlie Weyer engaged each other with fluid, sophisticated striking, before Weyer scored a strong takedown.

Zulu showed his grit, however, working his way into full mount before putting Weyer away with ground and pound.

Donavin Hawkey against undefeated Dricus du Plessis was a classic veteran vs young gun encounter.

Hawkey entered the Hexagon with 32 professional MMA fights behind him.

In contrast, du Plessis had only three, but also a world K1 title.

The bout was aggressive from the start, with du Plessis taking Hawkey down early.

The young man resisted both a guillotine and rear naked choke before forcing himself into top position and finishing the legend with brutal elbows.

Du Plessis is now pegged to fight for the middleweight title.

Shihan Raymond Phillips, of XKT Pro League, praised his fighters (Groenwald and Doyle) on their superb victories at EFC Africa 27.

“Both boys’ fights went really well,” he said.

“Franaconda lived up to his nickname and wrapped around his opponent like a snake and made him tap out, while Cedric choked the other guy out after a really good fight.”

EFC Africa 27 full results:

• Baldwin Mdlalose defeated Donnovan Wilken via submission (triangle) 1:50 into round two.
• Mark Hulme defeated Josh Muller via submission (rear naked choke) 4:18 seconds into round one.
• Keron Davies defeated Booto Guylain via TKO 3:25 into round three.
• Themba Gorimbo defeated Chaz Wasserman via submission (D’Arce Choke) 4:31 into round two.
• Cedric Doyle defeated Boney Bukaka via submission (rear naked choke) 4:08 into round two.
• Francois Groenewald defeated Pierre Botha via submission (triangle) 4:32 into round one.
• Alexander Cheboub defeated David van Schalkwyk via submission (kimura) 2:14 into round two.
• Wesley Hawkey defeated Gareth Buirski via unanimous decision.
• Brendan Groenewald defeated Vandam Mbuyi via disqualification 2:22 into round one.
• Tumelo Maphutha defeated Fraser Opie via verbal submission 4:43 into round one.
• Dricus du Plessis defeated Donavin Hawkey via TKO 4:50 into round one.
• Nkazimulo Zulu defeated Charlie Weyer via TKO 4:34 into round one.
• Leon Mynhardt defeated Frederich Naumann via KO 0:38 into round one.