Zwane prepares for EFC 112

Passion starts from a young age and that is how Ayanda ‘The Power’ Zwane’s story began.

He always wanted to be a professional boxer until he fell in love with mixed martial arts (MMA). “I always watched boxers like Floyd Mayweather but when I started training with MMA coach Attila Barna, I fell in love with the sport and I was sold till this day,” said Zwane. He is in his second year with EFC and has a record of three wins and one loss. Zwane hopes to bag a title fight at EFC 112 on April 11, at the EFC Institute on Witkoppen.

The 25-year-old is supported by his family. “They are people that follow my journey whether I win or lose. They are always behind me and cheering at fights.”
He said he aims to get a better life for his family. “Where we are right now always drives me to keep fighting, to keep showing up and keep waking up and help my mom who has been both a mother and a father to me. She has done so much for my siblings and me.” He added he wanted to show his mother how much he appreciated her. “My family is my drive.”
His challenges and losses did not bring him down. “My first and only loss in the EFC was at EFC 103 but I saw it as a blessing. After that fight, I came back. I remembered who I am and why I am here.”
The Fourways resident said there were always challenges in MMA fighting. “The pressure of showing up and always dealing with doubts and fear that this could be your last fight is a challenge. And always facing the challenge of mental health because everything that takes place from cutting weight to jumping into fighting is to try making a name for yourself.”
Zwane loves his career and said it showed every time he steps into the ring. “The feeling I get when stepping into a fight and the ups and downs that come with it, keeps me moving.”
Several things excite him about being a fighter but mostly meeting people that he has inspired. “People that look up to me and people that look at me and say I am their role model, warm my heart because I want to show them that dreams can come true.”

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