EFC Africa 09: Review and Talking Points Fight 8 - 13

Before it becomes old news lets proceed with the rest of the action of EFC 09. This is what some may call the business end. So lets get started

Fight 8: Botes v Strauss

Here were the big boys, everyone was expecting a huge knockout well why else would they have put these guys on the card right because the chances of them starting a super heavy division are very 'slim'. In any case these big guys started off with a bang. Botes landed a leg kick and dropped Strauss, he then proceed with some big ground and pound. It ended not to long after that by Strauss verbally submitting to what seemed like an elbow being dug in to the face or neck area. First time I have ever seen that but yet again that was the first time I've seen a 150kg odd man try it.

Rumour has it that Strauss will be dropping to heavyweight soon and I wish him all the best at the lighter division.

Fight 9: Kabulu v Mynhardt

I was actually really looking forward to this fight, had all the ingredients of being a big one. This was a true stand up war, Mynhardt had early success with some nasty leg kicks that kept chopping away at Kabulu's base. Mynhardt was by far the cleaner striker of the night but he did struggle to land his trademark spinning back kicks and spinning back fists. Kabulu actually caught Mynhardt a couple times, whilst he was attempting the spinning back kick, by clasping on a back clinch from where in my opinion he should have taken it to the ground, where he won his last fight I may add.

By the second round Mynhardt was putting on a striking clinic which was devastating Kabulu which was  evident that he was out on his feet. Kabulu's corner should have called it by the end of the second round and if not them at least the referee should have had something to say about it.'

Mynhardt entered the third round pretty much the same as the rest, with some aggressive striking, he ended the fight with a crisp combination that you would usually see on focus mitts.

Well done to Leon but this fight lasted way to long and Kabulu could have really been hurt.

Fight 10: Van Zyl v Mikixi

To the confusion of many Mikixi entered this fight wearing an oxygen deprivation mask, anyway lets get to the action. When Mikixi is involved you know there is gonna be some massive striking. There was some heavy leather thrown early on in the fight, Mikixi should some impressive Judo with a hip toss but Van Zyl got up pretty quick. Mikixi landed a few clean punches but there was one overhand right which landed flush that had the crowd saying "ooooh", but Van Zyl did not seem phased by the punch.

The fight was ended in the second when Van Zyl got a swift take down and transitioned swiftly from side control to mount and won by ground and pound.

After that convincing victory Van Zyl is primed to be the number one contender in the heavy weight division

Fight 11: Gloss v Weyer

This was the fight where boxers took it to the cage. This fight started very fast paced, the first round was very evenly match with Weyer landing a 3 punch combination that Gloss seemed to shake off. Weyer managed to land take downs but was not able to capitalise as the veteran kept him immobile from the bottom.

As the fight wore on Gloss seemed to be getting the better of the exchanges and Weyer's take down attempts became more and more pre-meditated so Gloss had no problem employing the sprawl and brawl tactic. There was a situation where Weyer got rocked by Gloss and thought the fight was going to be over but Silky Smoothe managed to stay alive in the bout.

You can't help but think if the result would have been different if  Weyer had a few more fights under his belt before going to challenge South Africa's best ranked featherweight.

Surely This fight puts Gloss in title contention seen as though he is undefeated in has past 6 outings.

Fight 12: Cleland v Smith

There was a lot of hype surrounding this fight as Smith, rated by many as South Africa's best pound for pound fighter, was making his EFC debut and against the only person who had beaten him. Cleland's tactic was obvious, get the fight to the ground and submit, where as Smith preferred to keep the fight standing where he had the obvious advantage.

Smith had the better of the exchanges and was the stronger of the two fighters which was evident when it came to the clinch and the wrestling aspects. The fight was ended a tic before the end of the round when Cleland shot in for the take down and was met with a devastating knee followed by some typical "Pitbull" ground and pound.

The talking point of this fight actually came after the final bell where Smith was named as the next contender for the Middleweight title. Firstly Smith had just entered the organization so I'm sure they could have gotten a little more mileage out of him before offering him a title shot but nevertheless he has one now.

Upon the announcement of the fight the current champion, Gareth Mclellan, was in the ring and was asked about his thoughts on Smith where he commended his middleweight counter part and ended with something along the lines of which 'you had never fought a fighter like me', which may have been taken out of context by the Pitbull as he replied "cute, you are just keeping the title warm for me".

I don't know about you guys but I'm excited for that title fight, it is rumoured to be on the main card of EFC 11 which is tipped to be in November this year.

Fight 13: Wessels v Potts Heavyweight Title

The highly anticipated main event had it all, some stand up, BJJ and some ground and pound. The grappling expert, Potts showed some of his jiu-jitsu prowess with some quick transitions and a few submission attempts but The Chef managed to avoid them all and get back to his feet. 

In round 2 Wessels seemed to have more spring in his step than Potts, as he seemed to be tiring. Wessels connected with a mean teep kick that shook Potts as a result Wessels seemed to take that round decisively.

Entering the third round Potts seemed to be really struggling to catch his breath as Wessels still had a spring in his step so most were expecting domination from Wessels but that was not the case. Potts managed to catch Wessels with a standing elbow which severely cut the champion and from then Potts threw a flurry of punches without abandon. Even though not many of them landed, Potts managed to take the fight to the ground and through some strikes from the top and eventually ended on Wessels' back where he managed to ground and pound to victory.

Potts seemed to fatigue rather quickly, maybe it was the altitude for the Cape Town-ian but regardless he did manage to get the W and move to  an impressive 12 - 0

Closing Point

It was a really great event well done to the EFC team my only concern was that it took way too long and in my opinion had 2 fights too many. That cage also looked rather slippery, which does not only make for annoying viewing as seeing fighters slide around is not entertaining, but also is very dangerous for the fighters in the cage.

I am excited for EFC 10 as we will have a welterweight packed main card which promises to be pure entertainment as the Title will be on the line and also the KO special Bagattin is taking on The Punisher and the both seem fired up for the event.

Till next time thanks for reading and keep supporting local MMA, it is the fastest growing sport for a reason.