The EFC Africa weigh-in took place on Wednesday March 26 at the Coca Cola Dome, north of Johannesburg, as EFC Africa returns to its spiritual home for the 28th version of the event.
EFC 28 presents a number of debutants to the South African MMA public and has veterans from as far back as EFC 1 competing. South African-born Asian MMA star Irshaad Sayed comes to the hexagon to face one-time challenger Leo Gloss. The fight card of 13 bouts has two sets of twins also fighting in their respective bouts.
The weigh-ins went pretty much as usual, with most fighters making weight – the notable exceptions were Leo Gloss, who came in slightly over but lost the weight in the two-hour allotted extra time. In the penultimate bout, Cape Town’s Chris Du Pont came in more than 2kg overweight. He could not shake the extra weight and will be dealt with in terms of the usual EFC Africa procedures relating to transgressions of that nature. It waits to be seems how this may affect him in the fight against ex-Heavyweight champion and Light Heavyweight front-runner, Norman “Chef” Wessels.
Sparks flew in two of the face-off’s, where “Comanderboy” Ilunga and Hanru Botha showed their intentions early. The main face-off sparkler was between Wade Henderson, who pushed Jason Culverwell in his face to get him away. Shots were fired early.
In contrast, veterans Norman Wessels and Garreth McLellan were stone cold in viewing their opponents from close up, clearly showing their steely resolve to not give an inch come fight night.
The fight night promises to be a great and exciting bout. EFC 28: McLellan v Kruger will be live from the Coca Cola dome from 16:15, but you can also view it live at Ster Kinekor cinemas, or the main card bouts live on DSTV Supersport from 20:00.
