EFC 53 dishes up huge excitement
EFC 53 was a crowd puller.
THE South Africans prevailed in a night that was dominated by sublime knockouts at EFC 53 hosted at Carnival City on Friday, September 2.
It took all of 12 seconds for Michiel Opperman to dispose of Yannick Bahati, leaving the middleweight champion floored with a deadly uppercut. Coming into the bout, Bahati had claimed that Opperman was nothing more than a journeyman of the EFC. He lived to regret those words, as Opperman seemed determined to defend his reputation in spectacular fashion.
In stark contrast to the main event, the co-main event had almost everything. Boyd Allen and Welsh newcomer Azi Thomas dished up an emotionally charged fight that kept the parochial crowd on the edge of their seats. ‘Sneaky Boyd’, as he is affectionately referred to by his camp, methodically picked off his opponent with a remarkable striking display in the first two rounds, until he was stunned by Thomas late in the second round. Clearly rocked, it was a matter of survival until the break, which included Allen escaping what looked like a tight guillotine. After the break, Allen came out revitalised and targeted a heavily bleeding Thomas with uninterrupted punches. Thomas was visibly uncomfortable and reached a point where he could no longer defend himself, forcing referee Bobby Karagiannidis to step in and call it.
Two-time heavyweight champion Andrew ‘One Gear’ van Zyl is a veteran of the EFC hexagon and his experience proved too much for UK debutant Tony Mustard. Coming into the bout as a renowned KO specialist, Mustard was outclassed by van Zyl early in the first round. After a messy initial exchange, van Zyl managed a massive takedown and assumed mount. From there it was a matter of time as the South African rained down elbows and fists on his opponent, resulting in a TKO stoppage by referee Ferdi Basson.
Van Zyl now has his sights firmly set on another title shot against the winner of the upcoming title fight between champion Danie van Heerden and Elvis Moyo at EFC 54 in October.
Van Heerden vs Moyo, Lino vs Power, and Buys vs Mdlalose is up next at EFC 54 which takes place on Saturday, October 15, at Sun City. Tickets are on sale now at www.computicket.com
