South Africa's Faeez Jacobs Should Already Be in the UFC

Faeez Jacobs just made history by becoming only the seventh double champion in EFC history. After conquering the bantamweight division and adding featherweight gold to his collection, it is becoming increasingly difficult to argue that there is much left for Jacobs to prove in the promotion.

Faeez Jacobs Has Conquered the EFC Bantamweight Division

Jacobs has already done what most fighters spend their entire careers trying to accomplish: he reached the top of his division and stayed there. The South African claimed the EFC Bantamweight Championship and established himself as one of the promotion's most dangerous and entertaining fighters in recent memory.

He has faced different types of opponents and continued to develop while remaining one of the promotion's biggest personalities. His victory over Shadrack Yemba at EFC 137 on Thursday, September 10, took that a step further. By capturing the EFC Interim Featherweight Championship, Jacobs became a titleholder in two divisions and joined an exclusive group in the promotion's history.

This is also evidence that 'The Troublemaker' has begun to outgrow the environment that made him a star. Of course, there are still fights for him to have in the EFC, as MMA will always have another contender, another storyline, and another challenge. Jacobs is beyond just accepting fights for the sake of increasing his professional career experience.

Jacobs has already conquered the EFC bantamweight division, and he has now shown that he can successfully compete for gold at featherweight too. The question is no longer whether he can keep winning in the promotion. Instead, it's whether he's being challenged enough by staying there.

Igeu Kabesa Is the Dream Fight, But It Isn't the Destination

Following EFC 137, there is one fight that makes more sense now than it ever did before. Faeez Jacobs versus Igeu Kabesa.

For years, the two have occupied different spaces within the EFC landscape. Jacobs built his reputation at bantamweight, while Kabesa spent much of his career competing at featherweight. Jacobs moving up and capturing the interim title at 145 pounds changes that completely.

Suddenly, a fight between two of the continent's most dominant champions in recent years is not just possible - it's one of the biggest fights that the EFC could make. If the promotion wants to make it happen, they should.

Jacobs versus Kabesa would have genuine value, and it would be the kind of fight that could give the promotion major regional attraction. But it also cannot become the reason that Jacobs remains in the EFC indefinitely.

Jacobs should not have to choose between giving African fans the fight they want and pursuing the biggest opportunity available to him. Ideally, the Kabesa dream fight happens, and then Jacobs gets the call from Las Vegas. But if the UFC opportunity comes first, it would be difficult to justify turning it down.

Jacobs Has Already Been on the UFC's Radar

Speaking at the EFC 137 post-event press conference, Jacobs revealed that the UFC came calling after his fight with Trent Girdham at EFC 131: KNOX Legacy Series in February. The opportunity on-hand was to compete on The Ultimate Fighter, but an injury prevented him from accepting the opportunity.

"I had severe bone bruising," Jacobs explained. "And I was compromised for almost two months. Unfortunately, I wouldn't have been able to fly over to Vegas."

Jacobs did not miss out because the UFC decided he was not ready. Instead, his body simply would not allow him to make the trip and commit to the demanding Ultimate Fighter process at that particular moment. According to Jacobs, that door is still open.

"But the UFC did come knocking. I did have an interview with The Ultimate Fighter, and they do love me, so it's just a matter of time," he said.

The timing may actually be better now than it was then. Jacobs is healthy, coming off the biggest win of his career, and carrying more momentum than he did when The Ultimate Fighter opportunity first arrived. Now, it really is just a matter of time.

Jacobs is Ready for the Next Step

With two EFC titles around his waist, a wealth of professional experience, and his profile at an all-time high, there may not be a better time for the UFC to explore introducing Jacobs to the promotion. A UFC run for 'The Troublemaker' would be quite an intriguing one.

Jacobs does not need an immediate UFC title shot or to be handed a ranking. He simply needs the opportunity to find out where he stands amongst the world's best.