Buys vows to bounce back
The term “disappointed” is an understatement for local fighter JP Buys.
He lost to Durbanite Baldwin Mdlalose via rear-naked choke three minutes and 29 seconds into round one at EFC 43 in Durban on Thursday, August 27.
The 19-year-old’s flyweight fight at the Durban International Convention Centre did not quite go to plan for the fighter who was oozing with confidence ahead of his second professional mixed martial arts (MMA) bout.
Speaking to the Herald on Monday, August 31, Buys vowed to come back even stronger in the future.
When asked what he thought went wrong in Durban he replied: “My coach always says ‘position over submission’.
“I had a dominant position and left it all to fall onto my back.
“If you look at it I was definitely winning the fight up until that point, but the result did not work out for me on the night.”
Asked what he had learned from the defeat the former Brakpan Wrestling Club champion said: “You never really lose, you win or you learn.
“I have learned that I must always fight the way I want to fight and deal with any immediate threat first.
“I have also realised what great people, supporters and sponsors I have backing me up.
“I am heading straight back into the gym to improve and jump back into the hexagon as soon as possible.”
His opponent was 2.9kg overweight, but Buys doesn’t think that played to Mdlalose’s advantage.
“He was definitely bigger on the night, but I train with bigger and heavier guys every day.”
The youngster is hoping to get another fight in October.
