MMA fanatics will be proud to know that Fightstar 9 will take place on October 25, at the same venue as the previous Fightstar, at St Johns Hellenic, corner of Lobeilia and Wychwood roads.
At this event, Fightstar featherweight champion Tjaart Henning will defend his title against Warren King.
Though it was released, on Facebook, that Henning would be defending his title against Jaydee van der Merwe, King will be the one to step up against the champion.
“Jaydee has travel commitments and won’t be able to compete. Warren lost his shot against Mamoudou ‘Frenchie’ Toure, due to a back injury, and has been waiting patiently to get another opportunity,” said Fightstar matchmaker Grant Oliff.
“King was over the moon when I told him and I can assure fans that they are in for a great technical fight between two of SA’s best featherweights.”
Henning defeated Toure to win the featherweight title at Fightstar 7, after King was forced out of the fight against Toure due to a severe back injury, sustained in his training camp only two weeks before the match.
Now, fully recovered, King looks to take what he believes is rightfully his.
“I have a lot of respect for Henning, especially because he stepped up to the plate when I withdrew from the fight with Toure,” he said.
“Henning is a tough customer, but I’m confident in my abilities as a mixed martial arts athlete and I know that I will walk away with the title on October 25.”
Fightstar 9 is scheduled for October and already there is excitement around the event.
With many of South Africa’s top amateurs announcing the commencement of their training camps across social media, only time will tell what sort of fight card we can expect this time around.
“The Fightstar Promotion is growing from strength to strength and it is already rated as the most exciting amateur MMA show on the African continent,” said Fightstar president Pietro Cignoli.
“The level of amateur MMA in SA has grown in leaps and bounds; our amateur fighters are now starting to realise that the competition is tough and, in order to succeed and, one day, fight at a professional level, they need skills and discipline.
“Fightstar gives these fighters the platform to build themselves a brand as a fighter, so that by the time they reach the EFC professional ranks they have built a solid foundation.”
“With titles on the line, Fightstar 9 promises to be the most explosive show to date.”
