EFC Africa 27 Fight Review

The first fight night of 2014 is in the books. EFC Africa 27 was a night filled with big hits, sleek submissions, disappointments and all round great Mixed Martial Arts action. Check out our fight review with photos from the first installment of what is set to be a year of MMA history making in the EFC.

Fight 1: Donnovan Wilken vs Baldwin Mdlalose

Winner: Baldwin Mdlalose
One of the few fights during the night that went past the first round. Mdlalose was on the attack and got the takedown in round1. In round 2 Mdlalose came in with the hits which saw Wilken naturally take the fight to the ground. After a good ground game and1 minute 50 seconds into round 2 Mdlalose got Wilken into a Triangle Choke forcing Wilken to tap out.

Fight 2: Josh Muller vs Mark Hulme

Winner: Mark Hulme
The fight started off slow with the odd strike thrown here and there. Muller got the takedown and got himself into side control but while fighting for full guard Hulme saw the gap, took Muller’s back and locked in a Rear Naked Choke seeing Muller tap out 4 minutes 18 seconds in.

Fight 3: Booto Guylain vs Keron Davies

Winner: Keron Davies
This fight almost went the full distance and was an all out battle. Davies fought well and landed big hits rocking Guylain. Guylain defended well and landed his fare share of strikes as well. In round 3 Davies got the takedown, got himself into full mount and landed heavy elbow Ground and Pound. Ref called the fight with Davies taking the win by TKO.

Fight 4: Chaz Wasserman vs Themba Gorimbo

Winner: Themba Gorimbo
Gorimbo wanted the fight on the ground from the start and scored takedowns throughout the fight. Wasserman defended well landing strikes from all positions. In round 3 Gormibo, for the second time, got Wasserman with a D’Arke Choke and was successful, taking the win. Submission of the night and fight of the night.

Fight 5: Boney Bukaka vs Cedric Doyle

Winner: Cedric Doyle
A fast close quarter fight that was either in the clinch or on the ground. Doyle landed some big strikes during the stand up. In round 2 Dolyle took Bukaka’s back and got a tight Rear Naked Choke in forcing Bukaka to tap out.

Fight 6: Pierre Botha vs Francois Groenewald

Winner: Francois Groenewald
Groenewald was patient in this round and after a frantic hustle on the ground he caught Botha with a Triangle Choke seeing Botha tap out 4 minutes 32 seconds into round 1.

Fight 7: David van Schalkwyk vs Alexander Cheboub

Winner: Alexander Cheboub
Cheboub was in control even after taking some hits from Van Schalkwyk. In round 2 after some Ground and Pound, Cheboub saw the opportunity for a Kimura and capitalized on it. Van Schalkwyk tapped out 2 minutes 14 seconds into round 2.

Fight 8: Gareth Buirski vs Wesley Hawkey

Winner: Wesley Hawkey
A 3 round stand up battle that saw Buirski throwing huge swings and Hawkey bobbing and weaving through it. Buirski had a hard time getting close to the on form Hawkey. The exiting fight came to an end with the fight going to the judges and Hawkey taking the win by unanimous decision.

Fight 9: Vandam Mbuyi vs Brendan Groenewald

Winner: Brendan Groenewald
A fight that was set to be a great battle but came to an abrupt end after Mbuyi landed a low blow followed by a strike to the back of Groenewald’s head. The ref called the fight and disqualified Mbuyi. The crown and both fighters were disappointed with the quick decision made. We can be sure to see this fight happen in the near future.

Fight 10: Fraser Opie vs Tumelo Maphutha

Winner: Tumelo Maphutha
This fight started out with a great kick trade before going to ground. Opie had top control and landed some strikes, Maphutha turned it quickly, landed stikes and stood the fight back up. As the fighters were about to engage Opie called a verbal submission giving the fight to Maphutha. Opie stated that he couldn’t see anything and had to pull out.

Fight 11: Donavin Hawkey vs Dricus du Plessis

Winner: Dricus du Plessis
A good battle that saw Du Plessis take the fight to the ground early. Du Plessis got Hawkeys back and tried with a Rear Naked Choke but Hawkey got out. Hawkey then caught Du Plessis with a Rear Naked Choke which looked tight but Du Plessis fought to get out and did. Du Plessis got into position and rained down on Hawkey with heavy elbow Ground and Pound. Ref called the fight and Du Plessis took the win by TKO.

Fight 12: Bantamweight Title Fight – Charlie Weyer vs Nkazimulo Zulu

Winner: Nkazimulo Zulu
Stand up and trading, punches and kicks is how this fight got underway. Weyer caught Zulu with a big right sending him to the ground, Weyer went for Zulu’s back but Zulu turned it. Weyer was tried with all his maneuvers but Zulu got into full mount and landed Ground and Pound. Zulu took the win by TKO and is the inaugural EFC Africa Bantaweight Champion.

Fight 13: Lightweight Title Fight – Frederich Naumann vs Leon Mynhardt

Winner: Leon Mynhardt
Mynhardt made quick work of Naumann by rocking him with a left 15 seconds into the fight. Maynhardt then landed an uppercut rocking an already stumbling Naumann and followed it by a big right, Naumann was sent to the floor. Mynhardt defending his EFC Africa Lightweight Title by taking the win by KO 38 seconds into round 1. Knock out of the night.