Ntando Zondi Steps In On Short Notice To Face Sisa Jungula at EFC 137

Ntando 'The Zulu Warrior' Zondi will make his return to the EFC Hexagon when he steps in to face Sisa Jungula at EFC 137 on Thursday, Sept. 10.

The last-minute change was announced by EFC on Monday, just three days before the event.  Zondi will replace Tebatso Molele on the preliminary card at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Ntando Zondi and Sisa Jungula Meet Again at EFC 137

The matchup adds an unexpected twist to the EFC 137 fight week, as Zondi and Jungula previously met as amateurs. This time, the stakes are higher as they meet for the first time in their professional careers.

The pair first faced one another in February 2023 at GFC 97, with Zondi earning a unanimous decision victory. Three and a half years later, Jungula looks to even the score.

Zondi enters the EFC 137 bout with a 6-2 professional record and is one of the most established names in the promotion's flyweight division. Earlier this year, at EFC 131: KNOX Legacy Series, Zondi unsuccessfully challenged for the EFC Flyweight Championship, losing a split decision to Tumelo Manyamala. This is his first fight since that late February event and answers Zondi's pleas for activity within the organisation.

Jungula, meanwhile, will enter EFC 137 with a 3-2 professional record and considerably more preparation. He was originally supposed to face Molele but, following the opponent change, Jungula welcomes the opportunity to get a victory over an old opponent. Jungula is also coming off a loss and will be looking to rectify that.

The reason for Molele's withdrawal from the bout has not been clarified by the EFC or Molele himself as yet. Regardless, this presents an intriguing opportunity for Zondi and Jungula. For Zondi, the fight represents an opportunity to immediately get back into the win column. For Jungula, it's also a chance to rewrite a result that has stood for three years.

EFC 137 Card Update

The EFC 137 fight card order has been shuffled a bit. Below is the new and updated scheduled bout order (as of September 7).

EFC 137 Main Card

• Interim EFC Featherweight Championship Bout: Faeez Jacobs vs. Shadrack Yemba
• Middleweight Bout: Luke Michael vs. JT Botha
• Middleweight Bout: Josiah Obasi vs. German Kokaev
• Lightweight Bout: Jason Mackay vs. Guide Moyo
• Featherweight Bout: Ayanda Zwanda vs. Lewis Mataya

EFC 137 Preliminary Card

• Catchweight (130LB) Bout: Ntando Zondi vs. Sisa Jungula
• Flyweight Bout: Godknows Ndlovu vs. Lihle Ngamntwini
• Featherweight Bout: Roberto Miyaba vs. Sibusiso Sovendle
• Featherweight Bout: Bruce Mayasi vs. Ash Zola
• Welterweight Bout: Alex Suzuki vs. Trevor Mutsila
• Lightweight Bout: Takunda Gorimbo vs. Philani Mbuyazi
• Flyweight Bout: Tryford Mwanga vs. Lukhmaan Jhazbhay
• Lightweight Bout: Stefan Diedericks vs. Johnny Koen
• Welterweight Bout: Boyka Botha vs. Rigo Ntumba