Bhubesi comes back better and stronger than before
Siyanda 'Bhubesi' Vilakazi ended a frustrating run of defeats by choking out Tyral Louw in round 2, declaring afterwards that the lion has woken up and is ready to hunt down bigger challenges in the flyweight division.
Siyanda ‘Bhubesi’ Vilakazi sent a clear message to the rest of South Africa’s flyweight division at EFC 133 that the lion is far from finished.
Fighting in front of a vocal crowd at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in Paulshof, the Mamelodi Warriors fighter stopped Tyral Louw with a rear-naked choke at 00:01:17 of the second round, improving his professional record to 2–5. “This one’s for everyone who never stopped believing in me,” Vilakazi said immediately after the fight, still breathing heavily, but beaming with relief. “I went through a tough time with those losses, but I kept working hard in the gym. Tonight I showed that Bhubesi still has sharp teeth. I’m back.”
Read more: Dramatic comebacks at EFC 133
Vilakazi, who trains out of the Mamelodi Warriors Kickboxing Club, controlled the early action with crisp kicks before taking the fight to the ground in the second round. Once he secured back control, the choke was sunk in quickly, forcing Louw to tap. “I felt strong from the first bell. I told my corner before the fight: ‘Today we remind everyone who I am’. In the second round, I saw the opening, took his back, and it was over. Simple as that. No drama.”
The flyweight fighter, nicknamed for his aggressive, predatory style, has long been a fan favourite for his highlight-reel finishes, including a memorable 10-second knockout in a previous EFC appearance. After a string of defeats that tested his resolve, EFC 133’s victory felt like a turning point. “People wrote me off, but I never wrote myself off. Losing teaches you more than winning sometimes. I fixed my mistakes, stayed humble, and came out here to do the job. This win tastes sweet, but I’m already thinking about the next one. I want to climb the rankings and fight for a title one day. That’s the dream.”
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Promoters and fans alike praised the performance for opening the card on a high note ahead of the main event welterweight title clash. For the local MMA community, the result was cause for celebration.
Vilakazi was clear about his future ambitions. “I’m still young. I still have a lot to give this sport. To the young fighters coming up, keep grinding, never give up. To my supporters, thank you. Your noise gave me extra power tonight. Bhubesi is hungry again.”
With momentum restored, the lion will now look to build on this result and string together victories in one of EFC’s deepest divisions.
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