EFC 40 is a real crackerjack
The landmark EFC 40 event took place front of a capacity crowd at Carnival City, on Saturday, June 6.
The electric crowd at the Big Top Arena was treated to a night of outstanding fights from start to finish.
The main event featured former welterweight champion Dino “The Lion” Bagattin and the young sensation Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis.
The contest began at a high pace and maintained that level throughout.
From the start, Bagattin and Du Plessis exchanged massive punches and kicks in a frenetic first round.
Midway through the second, Du Plessis shot for the take down.
After a back and forth scramble, the youngster took advantage of an error from Bagattin and showed his proficiency by taking his opponent’s back and sinking a tight rear naked choke, forcing him to tap.
A jubilant Du Plessis expressed his delight at his performance and thanked the crowd in attendance: “If you guys enjoyed my fight, then I enjoyed it.”
A veteran of the organisation, Bagattin promised the crowd he’d be back as always, ready to give the fans another show.
The penultimate bout of the evening saw former UFC heavyweight and EFC champion Ruan “Fangzz” Potts make his anticipated return to the hexagon to face Frenchman Cyril “Silverback” Asker.
Potts took the fight to Asker, going straight for the take down from the get go.
Taking advantage of his position, Potts laid down heavy ground and pound, opening up a laceration on Asker’s eye.
Surviving the initial onslaught, Asker reversed positions and rained down with heavy ”ground and pound” of his own.
A visibly battered Potts failed to answer the second round bell, resulting in a verbal submission victory for Asker.
EFC president Cairo Howarth confirmed, at the post event press conference, that the Frenchman will be facing Andrew van Zyl for the heavyweight title, in October.
Wrestling sensation Igeu “Smiley” Kabesa extended his undefeated winning streak to six fights, with a dominant display over Irishman Peter “Showstopper” Queally.
Kabesa looked to be on his back foot for the entire fight, using his position to counter and score massive takedowns, thereby completely nullifying Queally’s advances.
Queally failed to launch an effective offence, which ultimately lost him the fight to a surprising split judges’ decision.
In the event’s fight of the night, Brendon Katz and Wade Groth put on an unforgettable war that left the fans in the arena on their feet.
For every shot Katz landed, Groth reciprocated and then some.
The fight ended in a unanimous decision in favour of Groth and both athletes walked out of the hexagon to rapturous applause from the crowd.
Opening the main card was Scottish debutant Danny Henry and the exciting Hanru Botha.
Botha, a tough wrestler from Polokwane, began the fight doing what comes naturally – going straight for the double-leg take down.
The Scot showed his pedigree by keeping calm and sinking in a triangle choke from his back to seal the win early in the first round.
Fight of the Night was awarded to Katz versus Groth for their three-round epic.
Full EFC 40 results:
- Robert Simbowe defeated Stefan Pretorius via heel hook 4:52 in round one.
- Pietie Coxen defeated Gorilla Okosso via TKO 1:26 in round two.
- Jasen van der Merwe defeated Bill Thusi via TKO 3:46 in round two.
- Anicet Kanyeba defeated Anthony Mailer via verbal submission 4:10 in round two.
- Wilhelm Strauss defeated Steve Nwosu via TKO 4:39 in round two.
- Marino Cutendana defeated Nelson Feiteira via split decision.
- Tomasz Kowalkowski defeated Elvis Moyo via TKO in round one.
- Daniel Henry defeated Hanru Botha via triangle choke 1:58 in round one.
- Wade Groth defeated Brendon Katz via unanimous decision.
- Igeu Kabesa defeated Peter Queally via split decision.
- Cyril Asker defeated Ruan Potts via verbal submission at the start of round two.
- Dricus du Plessis defeated Dino Bagattin via rear naked.
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