Battle of the fittest at EFC Africa 29

Mixed martial arts fans will be excited to know that EFC Africa 29, presented by BetXchange.com will take place on May 1 at the Carnival City Big Top Arena.

EFC Africa is Africa’s biggest, as well as a world leading, mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation.

The Extreme Fighting Championship produces ten live events annually and has sold out some of the biggest arenas in Africa.

With over 120 athletes exclusively contracted to the organisation from countries such as Angola, the DRC, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and both sides of the Sahara desert, EFC Africa showcases the greatest warriors on the continent.

At this edition of EFC Africa, striking sensation Dino “The Lion” Bagattin defends his welterweight strap against the Irishman from Nigeria, Henry “Herculeez” Fadipe, in his greatest battle yet.

Welterweight champion, Bagattin, is a veteran of the EFC Africa organisation.

In September of 2013 he faced former champion Michiel Opperman for his title, and took it from him in a brutal, decision encounter that was later named fight of the year.

Nigerian born, Ireland-based Fadipe entered the EFC Africa Hexagon in April of 2013.

He immediately impressed by battling the notorious Tumelo Maphutha to a split draw, and after scoring sensational wins against Martin van Staden and former champion Michiel Opperman.

Both Bagattin and Fadipe are known for their uncompromising, aggressive style.

With a Twitter feud already playing out, the meeting between these two is personal and doubly deep with the title of Africa’s greatest welterweight on the line.

In addition, tough customer Brendon Katz takes on the, as yet unstoppable, Barend Nienaber for the coveted featherweight number one contender spot.

Katz is a well-known EFC Africa figure.

After debuting in his unforgettable encounter with Costa Ioannou, and thereafter defeating Mark Jones at EFC Africa 4, he left African shores to fight internationally.

He returned to face Gareth Buirski in September last year, and extended his form and winning streak to secure a number one contender shot.

Riding on an eight fight win streak including his amateur career, Nienaber brings smooth skill and burning hunger to this top contender encounter.

Will his youth be the undoing of the more experienced Katz?

Former champions Jeremy “Pitbull” Smith and Michiel Opperman battle it out in a highly anticipated clash of the super stars bout.

Smith is intent on earning another shot at champion Garreth “Soldierboy” McLellan, while Opperman, the perennial dark horse, is happy to make the rise to middleweight and test his power there.

There will be eight more exciting fights on the night.

For a full and updated fight card visit www.efcafrica.com.

Tickets are on sale now at www.computicket.com.

Book your cinema ticket to all 13 fights live and in stunning HD at www.sterkinekor.com.