Balelo writes his Hollywood script with a title win

Terence Balelo bounced back after defeating Musa Sethwape in a five-round fight despite him having just 10 hours’ notice to step in after Shannon van Tonder had to pull out due to medical reasons.

Balelo is now the new interim Bantamweight Champion. A phone call put him straight onto a plane and back into the hex as a replacement contender for the belt less than five weeks after his only loss.

“It will go down in EFC history as one of the greatest victories in the history of the bantamweight division, not based on the pugilistic clinic he put on, but because Balelo is the epitome of a prize-fighter who will answer the call of opportunity when there is a chance of fighting and a fighting chance at a belt,” said the EFC media liaison officer, Cairo Howarth.

The remainder of the main card was not without its fair share of controversy, as Jeremie Tshibala deemed himself unable to continue following a perceived low blow from his opponent, Khulekani Hlongwa, much to the crowd’s dismay, though Zambian rising star Ken Sekeletu knocked out his opponent to their delight within 30 seconds of the fight beginning.

Whilst the featherweight clash between Ayanda Zwane and Emmanual Sita was a rather tepid affair, veteran kickboxer Stefan Pretorius survived a three-round onslaught from Port Elizabeth’s undefeated powerhouse, Shadrack Nsua, though it was the latter who deservedly took the judges unanimous decision.

Official EFC 108 results:
Main card
Interim bantamweight championship fight
Terence Balelo defeated Musa Sethwape by unanimous decision after five rounds
Catchweight fight
Shadrock Nsua defeated Stefan Pretorius by unanimous decision after three rounds
Featherweight fight
Ayanda Zwane defeated Emmanuel Sita by unanimous decision after three rounds
Middleweight fight
Khulekani Hlongwa vs Jeremie Tshibala: The referee called a stop to this contest at 00:00: 29 of the second round due to Jeremie Tshibala being unable to continue after a unilateral groin strike.
Featherweight fight
Ken Sekeletu defeated Andile Gasa via Knockout – round one (00:00:37)

Prelim Card
Lightweight fight
Glody Kanzeko defeated Alexander Olave via total knock out due to strikes – round one (00:04:59)
Bantamweight fight
Nicolaas Vermaak def Christiaan Mulamba via tap out due to a guillotine choke – round two (00:00.13)
Heavyweight fight
Boyka Kabangu def Johan Van Wyk via total knock out due to strikes – round one (00:01:27)
Flyweight fight
Tebatso Molele def Moses Mokhari via unanimous decision after three rounds
Flyweight fight
Kelvin Smit def Tyral Louw via tap out due to an arm bar – round one (00:04:06)
Bantaman weight fight
Emerson Pedro def Rudolf Sekhukhune via Split Decision after three rounds

Special performances by Nicolaas Vermaak, Ken Sekeletu and Terence Balelo.

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