Four Toti fighters from Team MMA (mixed martial arts) will be in action for the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) on Thursday, 27 August at the Durban International Conference Centre.
Craig Ninow, who will contest the flyweight title against his nemesis, Zulu, Nelson Feiteira, Wesley Hawkey and late entry Keron Davies.
Craig (25) started training with coach Morne Swanepoel in 2010 and has been doing MMA for almost six years.
“This isn’t really a grudge match, but more to prove that I am the better fighter and that I should have won my previous fight against Zulu,” he said.
“You can’t let a fight affect you emotionally, you have to stay focused and disciplined.
Any title fight is 50/50, but I’m not leaving the cage without that belt. So I will win that belt 100%.
I won the bantamweight title in another organisation in 2012. This is a lighter weight division where I will now be the bigger guy in the division for a change.
I’m in the best shape of my life right now. So the main focus is my fitness and conditioning. I need to be able to go five five-minute rounds instead of three rounds.
Otherwise everything else is very similar to all my other fights. I treat every fight as the most important one of my life. However, there definitely is a bit of extra motivation to win that belt.”
Asked how he controls the nerves before stepping into the ring, Craig said you have to remain focused and relaxed. “You always fall back on your training. You need to believe in your training and get in the zone. Your mind needs to be strong and tough.”
Nelson (27) has been doing MMA for five years and will face Pierre Botha at EFC43 in the bantamweight division.
“As a fighter you are always confident and rate your chances high as you prep for a fight.
“I haven’t had a chance to contest for a title at EFC yet.
Asked about his game plan, he replied: “There is a game plan, but you have to adapt during the fight if things aren’t going your way.”
Wesley (29), who has been involved in MMA for about 10 years, will face Sizwe Makati for the first time in his featherweight fight.
“I rate my chances very high,” he said. “I take each fight as it comes with no worries or stressing out. Being composed at all times is the key element, as well as putting the time in for my preparations.”
