EFC 35 Fight Review

EFC 35 produced a night of MMA action that saw 8 of the 12 fights go the distance and to the judges for decision. A packed Grand West Casino in Cape Town was also treated to two great, and highly anticipated, title fights. Here’s our summary from fight night.

Fight 1: Sydney Mokgolo vs Chad Hepbrun

Summary: A 3 round battle that saw Hepburn looking tired after the first round. In round 2 Hepburn tried with a deep Rear Naked Choke but Mokgolo got out. Mokgolo worked on Hepburn in round 3 with strikes. The fight went to the judges.
Winner: Sydney Mokgolo
By way of: Split decision

Fight 2: Peter Nyide vs Boney Bukaka

Summary: Another 3 round battle that saw Nyide capitalise on the take-downs and strikes. The fight went to the judges.
Winner: Peter Nyide
By way of: Unanimous decision

Fight 3: Tyron Bester vs Pupanga Tresor

Summary: Bester went in to shoot but Tresor caught him with a heady strike knocking Bester out just 12 seconds into the fight.
Winner: Pupanga Tresor
By way of: KO
Time: 12 seconds into round 1

Fight 4: Sizwe Mnikathi vs Anthony Mailer

Summary: A close but slow fight that went all 3 rounds.
Winner: Sizwe Mnikathi
By way of: Split decision

Fight 5: Regis Muyambo vs Luke Michaels

Summary: Michaels controlled most of the fight getting take-downs and landing Ground and Pound. The ref called the fight in round 3 due to strikes by Michaels.
Winner: Luke Michaels
By way of: TKO
Time: 4:27 into round 3

Fight 6: Elvis Moyo vs Knife Didier

Summary: Besides a warning in round 2 by the ref for in-activeness this was a Heavyweight slug fest that saw huge strikes from both fighters. The fight went to the judges.
Winner: Elvis Moyo
By way of: Unanimous decision

Fight 7: Danie van Heerden vs Champion Dalcha

Summary: A 3 round battle that saw Dalcha control most of the fight. Van Heerden did well to defend but it wasn’t enough n the end.
Winner: Champion Dalcha
By way of: Unanimous decision

Fight 8: Bruno Mukulu vs Shaun de Lange

Summary: A close 3 round fight that started off tentative. Mukulu came out more aggressive in round 2 landing strikes and getting the take-down, De Langa turned it and got into full mount. In round 3 De Lange was looking strong but was getting frustrated as he couldn’t get inside and was struggling to make contact with the array of strikes he was throwing. The fight went to the judges.
Winner: Bruno Mukulu
By way of: Split decision

Fight 9: Peter Queally vs Francois Kabulu

Summary: Not the most exciting fight but Queally did what he needed to do and applied pressure throughout the fight. Queally had Kabulu’s back for the majority of the fight grinding it out and trying with Rear Naked Chokes but Kabulu managed to to avoid and defend well. The fight went to the judges.
Winner: Peter Queally
By way of: Unanimous decision

Fight 10: Abdul Hassan vs Irshaad Sayed

Summary: Fight of the night. A 3 round standing and trading battle. On the ground Sayed remained in control. The fight went to the judges.
Winner: Irshaad Sayed
By way of: Unanimous decision

Fight 11: Brendon Groenewald vs Christophe Walravens (EFC Heavyweight Title Fight)

Summary: Groenewald opened the fight with a leg kick, Walravens then went in hard landing striked while going for the take-down. Groenewald avoided but looks stunned at what had just happened. Groenewald then retaliated and went in with the punches, landing punch after punch knocking Walravens out. Groeneald was awarded KO of the night. Brendon Groenewald is the new EFC Heavyweight champion.
Winner: Brendon Groenewald
By way of: TKO
Time: 2:57 into round 1

Fight 12: Gideon Drotschie vs Norman Wessels (EFC Light Heavyweight Title Fight)

Summary: Wessels came into this fight with a game plan and stuck to it. Drotschie’s defence against Wessels take-down was nonexistent. Wessels went into each round with the take-down, got into control and picked Drotschie apart with devastating elbows. Drotschie was left a bloody mess, and added to it by cutting his head open on the cage while going down to ground. The ref called the fight in round 4. Norman Wessels is the new EFC Light Heavyweight champion.
Winner: Norman Wessels
By way of: TKO
Time: 1:22 into round 4

Photos by Ruby Woolf / EFC Worldwide