The African combat scene is back in full swing and, leading the charge, is the EFC. Africa’s leading fight promotion produces EFC 93 as it’s second event of the year following a dramatic EFC 92 event in March. Coming into this year, the middleweight championship as well as the welterweight championship were vacant, and the promotion made it a point to quickly crown champions in those divisions. The EFC 93 card went through several changes but a final card of 10 fights was eventually settled on, with a welterweight title fight headlining the card.
EFC 93 Preview
The preliminary card features several fighters who are making their professional debuts. The feature prelim bout puts the featherweight division on display as Vince Bembe (2-1-0) looks to get a victory and see himself back in the win column against the equally motivated Trezeguet ‘2Pac’ Kanyinda (3-5-0). The main card is set to be explosive from the main card curtain-raiser between Robert Simbowe (2-4-0) and Boule Godogo (2-0-0) at lightweight, all the way to the intriguing main event of the evening.
The penultimate match of the evening sees one of the most dominant fighters from the African continent, Igeu ‘Smiley’ Kabesa (12-2-0), make his much awaited return to the Hex against the ever-inspiring Ashley ‘Padre’ Calvert (2-6-0). Although this fight may look like a mismatch at first glance, it’s clear that this is a battle between a man who has nothing to lose and a man that has everything to lose. That fight serves as the predecessor to the main event of the evening.
Martin van Staden vs. Ziko Makengele Welterweight Title Fight
The sheer dominance of Ziko ‘The Gorilla’ Makengele (3-0-0) is undeniable, and its what has earned him a title opportunity. Makengele only made his professional debut in May 2021, but ‘The Gorilla’ has taken the welterweight division by storm. Makengele’s first fight ended in the second round and the next two did not make it past the first round, with the commonality between these fights being that they all ended with a KO/TKO finish. Makengele looks to put both himself and his gym on the map, and he understands that winning this championship so early into his career would be massive.
Martin ‘The Punisher’ van Staden (20-11-0) brings a plethora of experience to the Hex. Competing professionally since 2009, van Staden has traded wins and losses over the years, bringing his total career fight number over 30. Van Staden has had 15 of his wins come by way of KO/TKO and has impressively managed to evade a loss in the same manner. “The Punisher” has held EFC gold in the past and there is no doubt that he will be extremely motivated to gain the gold once more.
Much like the fighters involved, the fighters’ gyms tell a similar story. Makengele comes from the Brothers in Arms (BIA) gym which is headed up by fellow fighter and coach Conrad ‘Cagewise’ Seabi. Van Staden trains out of Fight Fight Militia (FFM), which has been home to many big names from the African combat scene. Where FFM has respect and legacy attached to it, BIA has motivation and a unity like never seen before.
With both fighters looking to halt the other’s momentum, van Staden vs. Makengele serves as the perfect main event to what promises to be an exciting, fast-paced night of action and, to add on to the spectacle of it all, the final vacant championship within the promotion gets taken and the welterweight division gets their reigning and defending champion.
EFC 93 Fight Card
Martin van Staden vs. Ziko Makengele (Welterweight Title Fight)
Igeu Kabesa vs. Ashley Calvert (Featherweight Fight)
HP van Staden vs. Given Majuba (Welterweight Fight)
Peace Nguphane vs. Bruno Mukulu (Welterweight Fight)
Robert Simbowe vs. Boule Godogo (Lightweight Fight)
Vince Bembe vs. Trezeguet Kanyinda (Featherweight Fight)
Katiso Matime vs. Martin Gcinumkhondo (Bantamweight Fight)
Kevin Pretorius vs. Tshepo Majuba (Lightweight Fight)
Lukhmaan Jhazbhay vs. Johannes Rudolph (Bantamweight Fight)
Tumelo Manyamala vs. Teboho Ntene (Flyweight Fight)
EFC 93 is set to begin at 2:30pm CAT/8:30am EST, with the main card beginning at 6pm CAT/12pm EST on Saturday, April 9th.
Featured Image via EFC.
