EFC 137: Jacobs vs. Yemba Full Fight Card Preview

Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) is set to deliver one of its deepest cards of 2026 with the upcoming EFC 137 fight night. The card is set to emanate from the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in Johannesburg on Thursday, Sept. 10, and there are 14 fights on offer that night.

Of course, there are some top stories to watch out for at EFC 137. But with this card having implications on various divisions with the promotion, here is a fight-by-fight preview of EFC 137.

EFC 137: Faeez Jacobs vs. Shadrack Yemba

At the top of the card, EFC Bantamweight Champion Faeez 'The Troublemaker' Jacobs will move up to featherweight to challenge Shadrack 'Babayega' Yemba for the interim EFC Featherweight Championship. But this main event is about far more than an interim title.

For the first time in his professional career, Jacobs will attempt to become a two-division champion. He enters this fight with a 14-6 record, following his defeat over Gift Walker via unanimous decision at EFC 135.

Standing opposite him is one of the most intriguing featherweights on the African mixed martial arts scene. Yemba has a 7-1 professional record and enters this fight on a three-fight winning streak after a brief stint within the PFL Africa circuit.

The biggest question is how Jacobs will handle the move up to 145 pounds. His experience and fight IQ are significant advantages in this bout, but Yemba will have the natural size of a featherweight and plenty of confidence that he could rule the division.

With reigning champion Igeu Kabesa still sidelined, the winner will effectively position himself right at the top of one of the continent's most exciting divisions. For Jacobs, a victory here could further cement his legacy. For Yemba, this is an opportunity to announce himself as one of Africa's elite fighters.

On the night, it will be about who wants it more - and who has what it takes to get it.

EFC 137: Luke Michael vs. JT Botha

Luke Michael is set to return to the EFC Hex for the first time since losing the middleweight gold to Diego Bandu at EFC 131: KNOX Legacy Series in Cape Town. The former champion is also competing in a non-title fight for the first time since 2021, making this somewhat of a hard reset for 'Young Gun'.

JT 'Blade' Botha represents a difficult assignment though. The Team CIT fighter enters with a 3-4 record, but he is coming off a victory and trains alongside Bandu, who knows exactly what it takes to defeat Michael.

For Michael, this is simply about rebuilding. Another loss could leave the former champion facing a much longer road back to the title. For Botha, beating a former champion would be the biggest win of his career and could immediately elevate his position in the 185-pound division.

EFC 137: Josiah Obasi vs. German Kokaev

Few fighters on this card have more momentum than Josiah 'The Bully' Obasi. The undefeated Nigerian prospect made his promotional debut at EFC 135, defeating fan-favourite JD van der Merwe by split decision. Now, he faces a very different challenge: welcoming an experienced Russian fighter into the promotion.

German Kokaev has not stepped into the cage since March 2024, following a second-round loss. The lengthy layoff of over two years creates questions, but it also means that there is plenty of opportunity for him to make an immediate impression.

With the fate of the middleweight championship not clear at the moment, Obasi and Kokaev have the opportunity to make major moves at 185. A dominant performance from either one of them could make it difficult for the promotion to overlook them when it comes to the title conversation.

EFC 137: Jason Mackay vs. Guide Moyo

Jason Mackay has been one of the more impressive finishers on the EFC roster in 2026. The 2-0 lightweight has managed to stop both his opponents in the very first round.

Guide Moyo brings more experience into the Hex with a 6-7 professional record. That experience could prove valuable, and it also could be the edge that he needs to get back into the winning column.

Mackay has the opportunity to continue building his reputation as one of the division's emerging prospects, but Moyo could derail that momentum with a veteran performance at EFC 137.

EFC 137: Tebatso Molele vs. Sisa Jungula

The EFC flyweight division desperately needs a top title contender to stand out from the pack. This match-up could provide just that.

Tebatso 'The Glory of Torture' Molele enters EFC 137 coming off a unanimous decision victory at EFC 134. A second consecutive victory would push his record to 6-3, and he would find himself in the title conversations soon.

Sisa Jungula, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from his unanimous decision loss at EFC 134. With Tumelo Manyamala holding the EFC Flyweight Championship and awaiting his first challenger, both Molele and Jungula have plenty of incentive to make a statement here.

EFC 137: Godknows Ndlovu vs. Lihle Ngamntwini

'The General' Godknows Ndlovu recently snapped a three-fight losing streak with a unanimous decision victory. At EFC 137, Ndlovu's goal is to keep himself on a winning streak and perhaps secure his first title shot in the promotion.

Lihle 'Rush Hour' Ngamntwini arrives at EFC 137 with the opposite problem. Ngamntwini is on a two-fight losing streak and desperately needs a victory to reset his momentum and get his career back on track.

There may be no immediate title implications outlined by the promotion, but the winner here could position themselves for a meaningful opportunity at 125 pounds.

EFC 137: Ayanda Zwane vs. Lewis Mataya

This could be one of the most entertaining fights on the entire card. Lewis Mataya has waited years for his opportunity to compete inside the EFC Hex. At EFC 137, 'Porcupine' enters with a 3-1 professional record and three consecutive stoppage victories - with none of them making it past the second round.

Ayanda Zwane is not simply there to welcome Mataya to the promotion, however. 'The Power' has completely reversed his fortunes and enters EFC 137 on a three-fight winning streak. If keeping that momentum going means spoiling Mataya's arrival to the promotion, Zwane will surely have no problem doing that.

Mataya's intensity could turn things all the way up in the featherweight division. With Zwane being in the Hex with him, this could be the match to watch.

EFC 137: Bruce Mayasi vs. Ash Zola

Bruce Mayasi enters this matchup with a 2-1 professional record and momentum. He has shown an ability to finish fights, with one knockout victory already on his record - and he might have to look to achieve that again with this bout.

Ash Zola is 2-3 professionally and will be looking to halt a difficult run here. He is also known for putting on consistently exciting bouts, and could give Mayasi his toughest test yet.

For Mayasi, this is an opportunity to establish himself as a name worth watching at featherweight. Meanwhile, this is Zola's chance to prove he can consistently compete with the division's developing talent.

EFC 137: Takunda Gorimbo vs. Philani Mbuyazi

Takunda 'Task' Gorimbo enters this bout with a 1-3 professional record but considerably more experience than his opponent. Philani Mbuyazi, who is just 0-1, lost his debut earlier in 2026 and is looking to come back from that.

EFC 137 is an important opportunity for both men. Gorimbo needs to build some momentum of his own, while Mbuyazi searches for his first professional victory. With neither of them carrying long winning streaks, fight fans can expect that they will both have plenty to prove.

EFC 137: Boyka Botha vs. Rigo Ntumba

Boyka Botha returns to the EFC Hex after making his professional debut at EFC 134. He lost a unanimous decision on that night and is now looking to secure his first professional victory.

Rigo Ntumba first competed in the EFC Hex on the promotion's Contender Series in 2025. He did not manage to secure a professional contract then, but he gets the chance to make his official debut at EFC 137 - and he looks to make the most of the given opportunity.

EFC 137: Tryford Mwanga vs. Lukhmaan Jhazbhay

Tryford Mwanga made an immediate impression upon debut, stopping his opponent with punches just 41 seconds into the fight at EFC 132. Now, the Zambian returns to the Hex, ready to show more of his talents to the promotion and fight fans.

Lukhmaan Jhazbhay has been away from the EFC Hex for more than a year, and he returns with a 1-4 record. Perhaps he could be ready to show the fans something new, and he could be looking to upset Mwanga.

EFC 137: Alex Suzuki vs. Trevor Mutsila

Alex Suzuki enters EFC 137 with a 1-2 professional record, but his résumé is more competitive than the numbers initially suggest. His one victory came via submission, and that could be the game plan for this bout too.

Trevor Mutsila, meanwhile, is just 0-1 as a professional. At EFC 137, Mutsila looks for a bounce-back performance and a chance to get his professional career back on course. Regardless, Suzuki and Mutsila will both be looking to make their mark in a competitive welterweight division.

EFC 137: Stefan Diedericks vs. Johnny Koen

Stefan Diedericks has a 1-2 record and is looking to rebound from consecutive defeats at EFC 137. Diedericks desperately needs to get back into the win column, as the lightweight division continues to move with each EFC card.

Standing opposite him is one of the biggest unknowns on the entire EFC 137 card. Johnny Koen will be making his professional debut at EFC 137, and his only documented amateur victory took place in 2014.

For Diedericks, this is a must-win if he wants to start rebuilding his momentum. For Koen, it is the opportunity to announce himself with a professional debut victory over a fighter with experience.

EFC 137: Roberto Miyaba vs. Sibusiso Sovendle

Roberto 'Rapid Fire' Miyaba brings a 3-3 professional record into EFC 137. He is currently on a three-fight skid, which he will surely be looking to change, especially with the featherweight division now set to crown a new interim champion. The problem is that his opponent also faces a similar challenge.

Sibusiso 'Somandla' Sovendle has lost his last five fights, bringing his professional record to 5-7. But Sovendle has competed at the highest levels of the promotion, even once challenging Faeez Jacobs, and he hopes to get back to that level. For a while, it seemed like Sovendle might be done with the EFC, but this return allows him to change things.

For both fighters, this is effectively a reset button. The winner gets a much-needed victory and an opportunity to rebuild. With the way the featherweight division is moving, it would be highly beneficial to log a victory before the year ends.