While the venue and his opponent have yet to be confirmed, Marcel says he is “super excited to go pro” after an exciting but unplanned “five year amateur ride”.
Marcel started MMA with JP ‘Tinkerbell’ Kruger five years ago when he went along to his first training session merely to support his younger brother Werner (19).
“I went along to help my little brother find his feet and never looked back.
“That first night we pitched up at JP’s Boksburg club and Werner looked like a fish out of water so I said I’d join him for one month, just to support him while he found his groove, and five years later I’m still here,” he says.
Marcel says he trained with JP for almost two years before accepting his first fight which was a K1 fight, a mix between kickboxing and muay thai.
A year later he took to the ring for his first MMA fight and found his passion.
“After that first MMA fight I fell in love with the sport and have been very blessed to be able to do what I love full-time.”
Marcel trains with JP at House of Tinkerbell (HOT) in Springs and Boksburg where he is also a coach, and is managed by James Read of XKT Pro League, but unlike JP he will not be fighting under the EFC banner.
Read: Short notice fight set to be a blast
Marcel has been fighting with Fightstar since he started his amateur career so when they approached him in June to join their newly formed pro division he jumped at the opportunity.
He explains that Fightstar has signed with World Series of Fighting (WSOF) which is an international operation.
He hopes that this affiliation will open doors for South African fighters to compete abroad and is excited to see where the sport will take him.
“It was a good offer, a great opportunity and a natural progression to move from amateur to professional fighting with the same franchise.
Read: Brandon immerses himself in his character
“I have a great relationship with them and know that anyone who progresses up the ranks with them will be well looked after.”
He says he is very excited for his November fight and the opportunity to make his professional debut in front of a home crowd.
“I hope that everyone will come to support me and the sport, it’s going to be a great night and will be wonderful to see everybody there.”
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