EFC 138: Djikasa vs. Born Full Fight Card Preview

EFC is set to deliver a nine-fight card right at the top of October. EFC 138 will be headlined by a heavyweight championship bout, with the vacant title on the line as two generations of the division collide.

EFC 138 Kicks Off Fourth Quarter for the Promotion

EFC 138 will serve as the first event of the promotion's fourth quarter. EFC 138 will bring a mix of established names, rising contender, and fighters looking to make their mark in the Hexagon.

The vacant EFC Heavyweight Championship will be the biggest prize on the line, while several other bouts could have implications across the promotion's divisions.

EFC 138 Fight Card Preview

EFC 138 Main Event: Matunga Djikasa vs. Terrence Born

Matunga 'HHH Power' Djikasa is no stranger to EFC's heavyweight title picture. The Congolese fighter is a two-time former EFC Heavyweight Champion, and he now has the opportunity to reclaim the title after Adama Diop vacated the title ahead of his Dana White's Contender Series opportunity.

Standing in his way is Terrence 'The Mountain' Born, who takes on the biggest fight of his professional career. Born has gone unbeaten through his first four professional bouts, finishing all four of his opponents without ever reaching the third round. Now, after establishing himself as one of the division's fastest-rising names, he gets his first opportunity to become the EFC Heavyweight Champion.

The match-up represents a clash between experience and momentum. Djikasa made his EFC debut in 2018 and has already experienced wins and losses at the championship level. Born, meanwhile, only made his pro debut in December 2024 - and he is yet to experience defeat in the Hex.

With both athletes bringing something very different into the Hex, the vacant heavyweight title match at EFC 138 could mark the beginning of a new chapter for the promotion's biggest division.

Gift Walker vs. Sithembiso Hadebe

Gift 'The Day' Walker returns to the EFC Hex after his last outing saw him challenge newly-minted EFC double champion Faeez Jacobs for the bantamweight title. Despite coming up short in that bout, Walker went the distance with Jacobs and proved that he can compete with the best in the division. Now, he has the opportunity to rebuild momentum and work his way back towards the top once more.

Standing across from him will be Sithembiso Hadebe, who recently made his return to EFC after nearly two years away from competition. Hadebe marked his comeback with a unanimous decision victory over Godfrey Mkhwanazi at EFC 136 and will look to build on that performance on October 1st. With both fighters coming off strong performances, neither is likely to give an inch here - so this could ultimately come down to who is able to impose their game first.

Steven Goncalves vs. Vince Bembe

Steven Goncalves enters EFC 138 riding a two-fight winning streak and appears to be in the midst of a resurgence in his career. The EFC veteran will be looking to make it three straight victories and continue building momentum in a division undergoing a major reshuffle. Across from him is another experienced name in Vince Bembe, who is currently on a three-fight losing streak and cannot afford another setback.

Bembe has previously challenged for gold in the featherweight division, and making a return to the upper echelon is a clear objective. With Igeu Kabesa and Faeez Jacobs serving as the leaders at 145 pounds, the division is in an interesting position. For both Goncalves and Bembe, there may be no better time to make a statement and throw their names back into the mix.

Khanyo Maqam vs. Osvaldo Benedito

Khanyo Maqam is undeniably one of the top prospects in EFC at the moment. 'The Impondo Reign' has a 3-1 professional record, with both his EFC outings ending in ground-and-pound finishes. He will look to continue his rise at EFC 138 and add another win to his record.

Osvaldo 'Creu' Benedito, meanwhile, makes his return to the EFC after more than a year away from competition. With his last fight taking place at PFL Africa: Johannesburg, where he suffered a knockout loss, the EFC 138 match-up is a crucial one for the Angolan. This is a chance for him to reintroduce himself to the EFC and the African MMA scene in a major way.

Clelio Diogo vs. Godfrey Mkhwanazi

Clelio Diogo and Godfrey Mkhwanazi go head-to-head in another match-up featuring fighters looking to climb the EFC ranks. Diogo remains undefeated in his three-fight career, and he is one of the latest additions to the EFC's bantamweight division. His opponent is a well-established name in the promotion that is looking to get back into the winning column.

Mkhwanazi enters the Hex at EFC 138 with a 5-5 record, and he is coming off a loss at EFC 136. Neither fighter can afford to overlook the other, particularly with opportunities in the bantamweight division becoming increasingly valuable. A strong showing here could help either fighter establish some much-needed momentum.

Allistar Kunene vs. Bheki Ngcobo

Allistar Kunene and Bheki Ngcobo's bantamweight bout carries significant stakes at EFC 138. Kunene's last bout took place in November 2025, and he enters this event on a three-fight losing skid. That's something he hopes to rectify at EFC 138, but his opponent faces an even bigger challenge.

Ngcobo is currently on a five-fight losing skid that he will be desperate to snap. Despite the losses, Ngcobo has quite a formidable list of opponents under his belt, including the likes of Ntando Zondi, Nathanial Komana, and Thimna Mhlauli. At EFC 138, both Kunene and Ngcobo look to snap their respective losing streaks, making this a crucial bout for two fighters who cannot afford another setback in the bantamweight division.

Tryford Mwanga vs. Thapelo Malatjie

Tryford Mwanga makes a quick return to the Hex at EFC 138, and he is looking to continue his rapid rise through the flyweight ranks. The Zambian has already made an impression with back-to-back victories in his first two EFC appearances. At EFC 138, Mwanga will be tasked with welcoming the debuting Thapelo 'Rasta' Malatjie.

Malatjie's amateur career began on the EFC Contender Series but, after failing to secure a professional contract there, he has managed to build a reputable name for himself at Versus MMA. At EFC 138, the South African will look to derail the Mwanga hype train and immediately make an impact upon arrival. With both Mwanga and Malatjie having some serious momentum going into this bout, it will be about who wants it more - and this could be another example of the flyweight division being one of the most exciting in the EFC.

Itumeleng Mabilo vs. Thembani Mhlanga

Itumeleng Mabilo faces Thembani Mhlanga in a match-up featuring two fighters looking to make their mark at EFC 138. Mabilo is looking to get into the winning column for the first time in his professional career. Mhlanga will have other plans as he looks to get his young MMA career back on track with a victory of his own.

Mabilo and Mhlanga have plenty of incentive to put on a strong showing when they enter the Hexagon. A win for either of them could move them into serious conversations in the stacked 155-pound division. With both men looking to make an impression, this could be an entertaining contest.

Lucky Bosco vs. Alex Kapinga

Lucky Bosco and Alex Kapinga's lightweight bout opens up the preliminary card. Tanzania's Bosco had his last fight at EFC 130 in December 2025, managing to secure his first submission victory in his professional career. After nearly a year away, Bosco returns to the Hexagon looking to pick up where he left off and strengthen his position in the lightweight division.

Kapinga, meanwhile, enters his third bout of 2026 still searching for his first professional victory. The Congolese fighter will be determined to change that against Bosco and get his career moving in the right direction. With both men looking for momentum, the opening fight of the prelims could set the tone for the night.

EFC 138: Djikasa vs. Born takes place on Oct. 1 live from the WSB EFC Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa.