EFC 98 is set to be an historic evening of mixed martial arts action with 13 absolute wars going down in the Hexagon on 6th of October. The Heavyweight Championship of Africa is on the line as gargantuans Vandam Mbuyi and Matunga Djikasa are bound to implode the EFC Performance Institute in Johannesburg in a battle that will reverberate around the world of sport. On such a momentous occasion, fighters from the first bout all the way through to the main card will do their utmost to seize victory in the most spectacular fashion possible and cement their legacies in the hearts and minds of fight fanatics on a truly auspicious night. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the awesome curtain-raisers that will set the table for a truly delicious evening of combat action on the 6th of October!
Christopher Matukane vs Maurice Kabamba – Welterweight
Two middleweights are hell-bent on kicking-off this monumental card in the most spectacular fashion. Debutante Chris Matukane from Alberton trains with EFC heavyweight headhunter Willem Tiny Strauss at Apex South and has been working on his ground game there with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Ryan de Vasconcellos. ‘The Savage’ says that his family are everything to him and they’re the reason why he’s going to wage all-out war on his opponent. But Maurice Kabamba is coming in with a point to prove as a kickboxing coach from the DRC with a strong Judo background, ‘The Professor’ has been working with Rod Kena at Raw Combination in Johannesburg and promises EFC fans they will see something completely different on the 6th of October after investing every single precious second of his time over these past two months into this fight camp.
Glody Kanzeko vs Billy Nyembo – Lightweight
Joining his teammate Kabamaba on the 98 Prelims will be the electrifying Glody Kanzeko who is also hunting for a shot at redemption. His debut against the experienced Tapiwa Katikati at EFC 96 had fans on the edges of the seats as it became evident that the EFC had found a possible star in the making. After dragging his undefeated opponent into very deep waters with his dirty boxing and powerful grappling, Kanzeko proved unbowed by the bright spotlights that blinds many aspiring champions at the EFC Performance Institute and now with another opportunity to prove why he’s a force to be reckoned with in the 155lb division, the 6-time Judo champion is looking for a spectacular finish. But his opponent Billy Nyembo is already spitting fire claiming that Kanzeko should not have accepted the fight and will quickly learn his mistake once the bout is underway. The traditional medicine doctor from Luena is one of 12 children and wears black belts in both Karate and Judo whilst training at the Elite Training Centre in Lubumbashi, a fight camp that has also contributed to the growth of other EFC fighters such as Dalcha Lungiambula, Tresor Pupanga and Gunther Kalunda. Nyembo just hopes his opponent won’t tap too quickly and boldly states that Kanzeko is merely a step that he’s prepared to crush to climb the mountain of fame!
TC Khusu vs Katiso Matime – Bantamweight
The highly-experienced TC ‘Phantom’ Khusu returns to face relative greenhorn Katiso Matime with both determined to overturn their respective two-fight losing skids. A nine-year veteran of the sport, Khusu came into the EFC with a superb third-round finish of Dansheel Moodley and always brings war to his opponents, an approach that will surely suit Matime. A tricky start to his EFC career doesn’t tell the whole story of this young talent who’s agility and toughness has always been on display as he continues in this, his rookie year. A long and arduous amateur career of 26 bouts includes notable finishes over Martin Gcinumkhondo and Teboho Ntene and several IMMAF medals with wins over international competitors, this Pretorian will now do whatever it takes to get his first professional victory. But Khusu is telling EFC viewers to tune in as he fully intends to remind the world how he got here and where he’s going. To the top!
British Boloyoang vs Ntumba Kanku – Welterweight
A natural welterweight with incredible strength, Durban’s British Boloyoang makes his first ‘22 appearance with a worthy amateur 7-4 record. BB now has a chance to secure his first promotional ‘W’ against fellow Judoka, Ntumba Kanku. A ground specialist with a suffocating top game and a plethora of jiu-jitsu and wrestling accolades, the Kinshasa native has transplanted to XKT in Middleburg where he has been honing his standup with Pieter de Klerk and Serge Kasanda. Kanku wants to put on an entertaining fight for the EFC fans with a truly memorable debut and pledges to make history in the Hexagon. Whether he is able to do that on the global stage against such an imposing foe is what makes this fight so darn exciting.
Vuyo Jula vs Mpumelelo Mngoma – Flyweight
Mpumlelo ‘Butcher’ Mngoma is no stranger to derailing hype trains and his stock will continue to roll should he do the same with the long-awaited debut of his opponent, Vuyo Jula. Hailing from Mzimkulwana River valley in KwaZulu-Natal, Mngoma now trains in Merafong with Chimmy van Winkle and entered the EFC with an unblemished amateur file, a momentum he continued when he entered the Hexagon on his pro debut just two months ago and upset the bookies with a decision win over Teboho Ntene. An IMMAF vet with sweet timing, cutting elbows and slippy combos on the feet, Mngoma claims he’s not here to take part but to take over, and though he respects his opponent, has told him to know that the butcher is coming to EFC 98 to slaughter. That’s all well and good but Jula is no easy meat. As his fight moniker may suggest, the ‘Python’ has nasty submission offence with good scramble and seemingly effortless transitions as his striking continues to improve under William Oberholzer at Forge MMA, a camp that is beginning to provide an increasing stream of talent that rise through the IMMAF and MMASA structures. A true east coaster, Jula has split his time between Port Shepstone, Bizana and now Durban during which time he has become the proud owner of many amateur titles. He’s informed EFC management that he will smash his opponent just as he’ll smash every single subsequent fighter who’s foolish enough to stand in his way along the path to an inevitable title. There is a reason this specific bout was chosen as the featured prelim, and that is simply because both athletes have been singled out in the past as future world champions who represent the new wave of modern era talent emanating from Southern Africa. There is a lot at stake for both fighters with many eyes across the world particularly interested to see if the Butcher can slice open the Python or whether the latter will strangle his foe into submission!
Mischka Laubscher vs Juliet Ukah – Women’s Flyweight
Two exciting additions to the women’s divisions make their bow with the highly anticipated pro debut of IMMAF star Mischka Laubscher taking on Nigeria’s kickboxing star Juliet Ukah. Born in Akwa Ibom State, Ukah began training in Wushu at an early age before entering kickboxing and Taekwondo competitions before transitioning to grappling in a permanent move to MMA. Excited to contribute to the growth of EFC’s women’s divisions, Juliet believes she’s better than her opponent and that fans can expect a hard fight with ‘plenty of damage!” Her opponent though is coming in as the IMMAF Women’s Champion, a gold medal she secured by showing a smooth and controlled ground game before setting up a rear-naked choke to become the continental champ. That victory in the finals took place earlier this year in the EFC Performance Institute and it’ll be a treat for the fans if Laubscher intends to test Ukah’s new-found love for wrestling in her own happy hunting ground.
Angelo Foloti vs Given Majuba – Welterweight
Mamelodi’s pinpoint stiker Given Majuba is looking to overturn a tough run of results against top opponents by welcoming newbie Angelo Foloti. Always a tricky prospect to deal with in the standup, Majuba looks to trade in the pocket and deploy elbows inside the clinch, a legacy of his muay thai background which he’ll undoubtedly seek to use against ‘Afroboy.’ A former member of the Western Province Elite Rugby Squad, Foloti ditched the oval ball to join Hentie and Crystal van Wyk at Battleroom MMA in Melkbosstrand. As the very first debutante at EFC 98, Foloti wants EFC fans to know that he’s on a journey to hunt and destroy everything that is blocking him from achieving his goal and is determined to shine a light throughout the sport. Whether Majuba is able to dim that growing light is a great question with which to kick-off this awesome prelim card.
In conclusion and with an incredible EIGHT bouts on the EFC 98 undercard, there’s never been a better time to subscribe to efcworldwide.tv! For just $10 a month and a great variety of other money-saving deals, you can stream all these stunning fights as well as the entire main card including the Heavyweight Championship of Africa! Head to efcworldwide.com for more information about media partners who’ll be broadcasting the event live around the world as well as all the streaming information wherever you live. Furthermore you can place your wagers at World Sports Betting as the event progresses with boosters on the multi-bets available across the card or why not combine your very own parlays or individual bets all the way through to that killer main event?! So put it in your calendar and keep your seat free for EFC 98 on the 6th of October because it’s going to be one for the history books with you too playing your part at efcworldwide.tv and worldsportsbetting.co.za! We’ll see you then!