Amateur Springsite turns EFC pro
A talented Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter from Springs will climb into the cage for his first professional fight in June.
Stefan Pretorius (22), who was first introduced to martial arts at the age of 12, recently signed a contract with Extreme Fighting Championships Worldwide (EFC) to fight professionally.
Pretorius took up kickboxing as a youngster and is currently graded a First Dan black belt in the combat sport.
He took part in the world kickboxing championships in Orlando, Florida and placed third in his division at 17 years old.
He started MMA when he was 18 years old.
“Kickboxing was no longer challenging enough for me, and seeing that MMA is one of the fastest growing sports, it was naturally my next step,” says Pretorius.
The amateur-turned-pro says he was a junior draughtsman studying engineering when he decided to pursue a full-time career in MMA .
“This is my passion and I want to follow my dream,” he says.
He is a member of the Rio Grappling Club in Springs and is coached by Jurgen Putter, who has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Pretorius also trains juniors at the club, and has his own club in Heidelberg where he trains juniors and seniors.
He will be fighting in the lightweight division and has signed a contract for six fights.
“Lightweight is the most competitive division, but also the most exciting,” says Pretorius.
He adds that he has the right mindset to do well in the sport, and with the help and support from his coach and team, he feels he is ready for anything.
Pretorius believes he is a good all-rounder, which means his stand-up game is as good as his ground game.
He has fought nine fights in his career, six of which he has won.
His first professional fight will take place at EFC40 on June 6 at Carnival City, and his opponent is yet to be made known to him.
“I climb into the cage with only one purpose, and that is to win,” he says.
