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EFC 116 sees some epic bouts

Luke Michael wins the middleweight throne through a performance well fit for a king.

The atmosphere soared high at the World Sports Betting Arena, Paulshof, as Luke ‘The Young Gun’ Michael emerged victorious, claiming the undisputed EFC Middleweight championship after a thrilling five-round battle against Jaco Du Plessis.

Demonstrating exceptional grappling skills and resilience, Michael turned the fight around after spending considerable time on the canvas, ultimately securing a win through a unanimous decision.

Du Plessis, who had previously maintained an unblemished record, struggled to respond to Michael’s relentless pressure and superior ground control. This victory marks a significant milestone in Michael’s career, culminating in a childhood dream realised when he began his journey in EFC back in August 2014.

Read more: Mamelodi Warriors Kickboxing Club set to shine at EFC 116

Luke Michael has his new middleweight strap wrapped around his waist.
Luke Michael has his new middleweight strap wrapped around his waist.

In another highlight of the evening, Zambian fighter Ken Sekeletu extended his undefeated streak in the EFC, besting the formidable Jean-Jacques Lubaya from the DRC. Sekeletu’s impressive triumph, following a late-notice acceptance, was even more commendable given Lubaya’s reputation, boasting nine consecutive wins prior to this bout. With this victory Sekeletu has now achieved five wins in a row.

Adding to the excitement of the night, Shadrack Nsua showcased his skills with a decisive ground-and-pound victory. However, the true star of the evening was Andile Madlala, who set a new record in the EFC Light Heavyweight division by knocking out Tico van den Berg in a mere 19 seconds, an achievement that earned him a rightful place in EFC history.

Siyanda Vilakazi’s contest with Kelvin Smit was a display of high-octane action, with Vilakazi initially dominating the first round, scoring two knockdowns. Nevertheless, Smit made a valiant comeback, forcing Vilakazi into submission with a rear-naked choke in the second round.

As the event drew to a close, anticipation grew for EFC 117, where Vince Bembe is set to clash with Faeez ‘Trouble Maker’ Jacobs, promising yet another thrilling installment in the ongoing EFC saga.

Luke Michael shoots at Double Leg take-down.
Luke Michael shoots at Double Leg take-down.

Also read: The 10-Second sensation taking the EFC by storm

Official Results of EFC 116.

Main Card:

• Middleweight Title Fight: Luke Michael def. Jaco Du Plessis via unanimous decision after 5 rounds.

• Featherweight fight: Ken Sekeletu def. Jean-Jacques Lubaya via unanimous decision after 3 rounds.

• Middleweight fight: Shadrack Nsua def. Khulekani Hlongwa via TKO due to strikes in Round 1 (00:02:55).

• Bantamweight fight: Sibusiso Sovendle def. Roevan De Beer via TKO due to strikes in Round 2 (00:02:08).

• Catchweight fight: Nathanial Komana def. Bheki Ngcobo via TKO due to strikes in Round 1 (00:03:12).

Prelim Card:

• Featherweight fight: Allistar Kunene def. Jesse Schaper via tapout due to rear naked choke in Round 1 (00:02:45).

• Flyweight fight: Kelvin Smit def. Siyanda Vilakazi via tapout due to rear naked choke in Round 2 (00:03:57).

• Bantamweight fight: Emerson Pedro def. William Lekana via TKO due to strikes in Round 2 (00:03:57).

• Light Heavyweight fight: Andile Madlala def. Tico van den Berg via knockout in Round 1 (00:00:19).

• Lightweight fight: Chadrack Yemba def. Lucky Bosco via TKO due to strikes in Round 2 (00:02:18).

• Flyweight fight: Lihle Ngamntwini def. Teboho Ntene via unanimous decision after 3 rounds.

• Featherweight fight: Tshepo Majuba def. Kenan Hornabrook via TKO due to strikes in Round 1 (00:04:55).

Performance Bonuses:

• Lihle Ngamntwini

• Andile Madlala

• Siyanda Vilakazi

• Kelvin Smit

• Allistar Kunene

• Sibusiso Sovendle

Fight of the Night:

•Ken Sekeletu vs. Jean-Jacques Lubaya

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