Brakpan is a hotbed of African MMA
There is no doubt that Brakpan has a huge role to play in the development of mixed martial arts (MMA) on the African continent.
Not only was the professional MMA event that is EFC 53 hosted at Carnival City on Friday night (September 2), but during the past week, on the amateur front, the first-ever International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Africa Open Championships took place at the Brakpan Indoor Sport Centre with fighters from as far afield as Sweden and India battling it out in the hexagon.
The foundational continental tournament was hosted and commissioned by IMMAF’s national counterpart, MMASA.
Following his visit to South Africa IMMAF president, Kerrith Brown, reserved praise for African MMA and for local resident Raymond Phillips, who serves on the board of directors of IMMAF as the African continental representative and who facilitated and organised the tournament. “May I say what an inspirational visit it was. I was overwhelmed and experienced first-hand the passion, energy and tremendous support that Africa has for the sport of MMA,” he said.
“The network of support you have accomplished is a great achievement and credit goes to all the hard work that you and your team do.
“It was an honour and a privilege to attend the event which was an outstanding success on all levels.
“I applaud you and your team on their hard work which has resulted in a rich vein of talent that runs throughout the region and will contribute immensely to the development of IMMAF and the sport of MMA.”
Phillips, who is also Mixed Martial Arts South Africa’s (MMASA) vice-president, said: “The tournament was a great success and opened the doors not only for South Africa, but the whole continent.
“It was a historic event in MMA history.
“It was not an easy road and Mixed Martial Arts South Africa (MMASA) had our share of non-believers who said that this event would not take place.
“They will now be believers.
“I am thankful for the support and sacrifices of all who made this event possible.
“We, as MMASA, want to especially thank Team Sweden and Team India for taking the leap of faith to come to South Africa.”
He also expressed gratitude to Brown, UMMAF (USA) referee and judge Doug Burch and Alistair Pettitt of IMMAF UK for being at the event and supporting South Africa by making the Africa Open a reality.
Results from the event:
• Bantamweight: Gold: Luthando Biko (South Africa), silver: Shaun Taylor (South Africa), bronze: Mohammed Tafeez Ahmed Mohammed (India), Katiso Matime (South Africa).
• Middleweight: Gold: Scott Kenee (South Africa), silver: Heytham Rabhi (Sweden), bronze: Riyaad Pandy (South Africa).
• Lightweight: Gold: Tobias Harila (Sweden), silver: Stephan de la Rey (South Africa), bronze: Caleb Ridley (South Africa), Dylan Goosen (South Africa).
