All about the Buys at EFC 49
Rising star Buys has a good professional record at Carnival City, with two wins out of his three total professional bouts.
EFC 49 at Carnival City on Friday, May 13 is headlined by the much-anticipated middleweight tight clash between fan favourite JP “Tinkerbell” Kruger and England’s behemoth Yannick Bahati, but another fight involving a JP has caught the attention of fight fans.
Former Brakpan Wrestling Club champion JP Buys returns to his home hexagon at the Big Top Arena when he will step up from the flyweight division to the heavier bantamweight division in a mouth-watering clash against former contender, Durban’s Abdul “Hollywood” Hassan.
Rising star Buys has a good professional record at Carnival City, with two wins out of his three total professional bouts.
The Herald caught up with the talented grappler to find out how he is preparing for his first fight on the televised EFC main card.
“I am really looking forward to this one,” said Buys.
“It is definitely my biggest challenge to date and I cannot wait to step up to a heavier weight division and do what I love.”
Asked what he is expecting from his opponent, who boasts a fight record of 7-5-1, Buys replied, “I know that he is extremely experienced.
“He fought for the title against my teammate and main training partner Demarte Pena so I expect him to bring a proper battle.
“I know that Hassan will underestimate me, but as soon as the doors to the cage get locked he will quickly realise what I am about.”
Asked if there have been any particular aspects of his game that he has been working on, Buys said, “Nothing in particular.
“We always concentrate on everything in training and work on every aspect of my game on a daily basis.”
With his home base at Carnival a happy hunting ground for the 20-year-old, he is excited to return to familiar territory.
“My home support is what pulls me through at the end of the day.
“They always make me believe that I can go the extra mile.
“By combining my confidence and my great support I will have the upper hand over Hassan.”
The fight will be televised on e.tv and Buys views this as a terrific opportunity to showcase his skills to a wider audience.
Asked how important this fight is to him in pursuit of an EFC title belt, he said, “It is extremely important to me as this fight will determine whether or not I stay where I am at the moment or push me sky-high in both the fly- and bantamweight divisions.”
Buys thanked his team (Fight Fit Militia), his family, management (Scuffle) and sponsors for always believing in him and for making his fight career possible.
