Mngoma, a Carletonville resident and member at the XKT Fight St and MMA Club in Carletonville, fought against Luke Hendrikz in the flyweight division on 15 June.
Although “Zulu”, also known as “The Butcher” in the ring, was the underdog in this fight, he overcame the Johannesburg fighter Hendrikz and walked off with the winning title. The match was broadcast live on the EFC104 channel.
Mngoma only started fighting professionally last year and has been in the sport for five years.
“Ten years ago, I had no idea I would be here today. My message to young fighters is to believe in yourself,” says the friendly and humble Mngoma, who grew up in Harding in KwaZulu-Natal. He dreamt of becoming an MMA fighter after watching the sport on television. He has been training exceptionally hard in boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling to reach his current fitness level under Shihan Chimmy van Winkel’s watchful eye. He follows a diet free of carbohydrates or sugar to be in peak condition for a fight. Mngoma managed to fit in the necessary training, despite working as a plant maintenance supervisor at Driefontein Gold Mine.