KZN Mixed Martial Arts (KZNMMA) chairman, Justin Ferrier is determined to not leave anyone behind when South Africa’s MMA team competes at the World Championships Amateur MMA (Worlds) in Bahrain, from the 11-16 November.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is regarded as the fastest growing sport in the world, yet battles to get financial backing from the government and other corporate companies.
Ferrier has played a huge part in spearheading KZN’s MMA profile with the help of coach, William Oberholzer and young amateur fighter, Vuyo Jula.
“We self-finance big time for money with the help of Combined Motor Holdings (CMH) going into Nationals in April and we walked away with the most medals which is a huge achievement for KZN, considering the sport is dominated by Gauteng,” said Ferrier.
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KZN is also well-represented in the national team. It has nine representatives out of 12 and two KZN coaches out of four. Hillcrest local, William Oberholzer is one of the coaches. Oberholzer works closely with all his fighters, including Vuyo Jula who comes from a tough background in Ntuzuma.
Oberholzer explained how Jula’s work ethic is inspiring, “He doesn’t whinge, he doesn’t complain.
He comes to all the training and he’s also Gauteng champion,” said the coach who was amazed by Jula’s progress over the course of the year.
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Oberholzer wants Jula to expand his fighting pool to outside the province.
“Up until this year, all of his fights have been in Durban. Which means he fights the same guys he’s trained with – three or four times over the course of three years,” Oberholzer added: “When you go to Jo’burg, the wrestlers there are better; and in Cape Town, the jiu jitstu guys are better. You have to fight those guys to get better. When you go to nationals and worlds, you get that experience, which is good for your growth as an amateur fighter.”
It costs R12 600 to enter a fighter into worlds and for a sport that doesn’t receive any governmental backing, it’s a tough ask.
It also costs R3 600 to buy your national colours and that’s difficult for guys like Vuyo.
“The problem we’ve had in the past is that we’ve only been able to send the guys who have enough money to go, so Justin and I decided this year that we’re only sending the guys that deserve to go, the ones that have earned the right,” said coach Oberholzer.
“Between the committee, William and myself, we give Vuyo bus fare every week to get to training and one day, one of the coaches wanted to do an extra session, so Vuyo decided to not ask me for money and went on to run 30km’s home.
My friend, I can’t even drive 30km’s home,” said Ferrier jokingly. “He posted a ‘happy face’ picture during his run. That’s true dedication and this was after a three-hour training session,” says the KZNMMA chairman.
Ferrier and Oberholzer are grateful for fighters like Jula and a sponsor like CMH.
“We’re lucky that we can call on the people at CMH who give us transport for our tournaments,” said Ferrier who understands they can’t rely on one sponsor.
“We need public support and more sponsorship and that’s why we’ll host a Submission and Grapple event at the CMH dealership in Umhlanga to raise funds for the SA Team that’s going to Worlds in Bahrain.”
Banking details to donate to the course: KZNMMA.
Capitec Acc: 1600487775. Code: 470010. Ref: Vuyo Jula
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