McLellan re-gains middleweight title in epic EFC duel

Thursday’s main event was the second meeting between two EFC Africa crowd favourites. The last time the pair entered the hexagon, Smith defeated McLellan and became the new middleweight champion, stealing the belt in the fourth round at EFC Africa 12.

Injuries in both camps postponed the fight which was scheduled for earlier this year, but McLellan executed with deadly accuracy to regain his title in the first round of the year’s most highly anticipated fight.

Blood poured out of Smith’s nose and face as McLellan opened a wound and pinned Smith to the ground before submitting the former champion, who fought bravely.

But in the end, McLellan’s tenacity saw him home as he walked away lifting the belt that had eluded him for more than a year.

In Thursday’s other title decider, Demarte Pena had to rely on a majority decision by the three scoring judges to retain his featherweight title against Alain Ilunga, and in doing so extended his unbeaten record to eight fights.

Having lasted physical rounds in the second and third, Pena made his move at the end of the fourth, but by the end of the bout, a clear winner was yet to be decided.

But the judges’ decision went Pena’s way, awarding the victory to the defending champion, keeping his professional EFC Africa record intact at the expense of Ilunga, who heads back to the drawing board.

Pena defeated Leo Gloss more than two years ago and has gone on to beat Wesley Hawkey, Terrence Griesel, Wentzel Nel and Abdul Hassan en route to becoming the continent’s most dominant champion.

While there were wins for and Pena, Ruan Potts put himself in pole position to challenge heavyweight champion Andrew van Zyl for the title, after the 111kg giant defeated Ricky Misholas four minutes into the opening round.

A former heavyweight champion, Potts wasted little time as the pair went to ground, before Potts’ class showed and before long, Misholas was forced to tap-out, handing Potts the victory.

– Sapa