EFC 50 proved Sun City to be the ultimate fight destination on Friday, June 17.
Dricus du Plessis, the scintillating 22-year-old from Pretoria, was crowned the new EFC welterweight champion.
Du Plessis faced the legendary Martin van Staden from Johannesburg in front of a sold out crowd.
Van Staden began the fight with an unexpected take down and proceeded to control the first round.
The second belonged to du Plessis, after a thundering right cross prompted a takedown of his own. Multiple submission attempts were ultimately foiled by the bell, setting up a thrilling third round.
After a D’Arce Choke attempt by each, a Guillotine Choke finally clinched the victory for the young fighter from Pretoria.
The women’s flyweight division took centre stage in the preceding bout and delivered intelligent and clinical mixed martial arts.
For three rounds South Africa’s Shana Power used her reach advantage to control the Italian Micol Di Segni with a variety of strikes. Di Segni, unable to carry out her game plan, showed her strength and resilience by fighting to the final bell. Power’s unanimous decision victory seals her a number one contender spot.
Stepping in on late notice, crowd favourite Gordon Roodman took his heavy-handed style to Rafal Haratyk.
Both men landed big shots in a flurry of vicious exchanges. Haratyk landed a flush punch on the jaw of Roodman deep into the first, dropping him and forcing the referee to step in.
The Pole is now riding a three-fight winning streak. This, combined with bruising form, will see him fighting for a top contender spot soon.
Ruan Potts faced the gargantuan DRC native Van Dam Mbuyi. Potts fought with patience, initially drawing frustration from the crowd, but once he engaged he made short work of Mbuyi.
Quickly taking the fight to the ground, the former two-times champion hunted the submission and sank an Armbar finish. His win signals the return of a looming threat in the division.
Opening the main card, South Africa’s Chad Hanekom took on Ireland’s Cian Erraught. This bout was predicted as a possible fight of the night, and delivered.
Big hits and massive takedowns punctuated the first round and continued into the second. Nearing the break, an exhausted Hanekom ended the carnage by sinking a rear-naked choke, winning his second consecutive EFC bout.
Fight of the Night was awarded to the welterweight title fight between du Plessis and van Staden.
Performance bonuses were awarded to Chad Hanekom, Cian Erraught, Elvis Moyo, Ricky Misholas, Tjaart Henning and Mthobisi Buthelezi.
Credit: EFC
