Buys to debut at EFC 40
It is quite fitting that 19-year-old JP Buys will be making his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut at the milestone event, EFC 40, at Brakpan’s Carnival City.
The Herald has been following the talented youngster since his days of success on the wrestling mat as a member of the Brakpan Wrestling Club.
The former Sherwood Gardens resident, who is now living in Benoni, has grown from strength to strength since his wrestling days and has fast become a revered name in the amateur MMA community, with excellent displays in the cage.
The Fight Fit Militia fighter’s recent bantamweight title victory, at Fightstar 12, in Primrose, on Saturday, May 2, blew the socks off all the spectators in attendance, as he won his fight against last-minute opponent Roevan de Beer, via a TKO with an incredible double kick, a mere 11 seconds into the first round.
His last five fights in the amateur ranks have been wins for Buys and this has boosted his confidence ahead of his much-anticipated professional fight first appearance in the flyweight division, on Saturday, June 6, in the Big Top Arena.
He has been drawn to face World of Warriors fighter Jasen van der Merwe, and Buys said he will be treating the fight just like any other, despite the pressure that a larger crowd will bring.
“I have been working on grinding him down,” he said.
“I will stick to the game plan that has worked for me in recent fights.”
His opponent at EFC 40 lost his debut professional fight against Baldwin Mdlalose, via submission to a rear naked choke, at EFC 38 in Durban.
The rear naked choke is one of Buys’s favourite moves and will be just one of the weapons in his arsenal come fight night.
“My goal is to get a shot at the championship belt and this is where it all starts,” he said.
