Ayanda ‘The Power’ Zwane, a 5’10” featherweight with devastating striking, is set for a pivotal showdown against Roberto ‘Rapid Fire’ Miyaba at EFC 128 on October 9 at the WSB Arena in Paulshof.

With a 4-5 record after nine pro fights in the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), Zwane is eager for a tough opponent to propel him back into title contention. Training at Attila’s MMA and Apex South, he’s honed his skills, ready to prove he’s a championship contender.

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Zwane’s MMA journey began as a competitive athlete seeking a complete challenge. “MMA gave me the perfect platform to test myself in every aspect, striking, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu,” he said. Featherweight suited him best: “The featherweight division felt natural because it balances my speed, power, and cardio perfectly.”

His nickname, ‘The Power,’ emerged early. “ ‘The Power’ came from my early days in training, my coaches and teammates noticed how heavy my shots were compared to my frame. Over time, it became more than just physical power; it’s also about mental resilience, the ability to push through adversity and keep moving forward.”

His five-round war against Roedie Roets at EFC 118, a Fight of the Night, was a turning point. “That fight taught me the importance of patience and composure. Over five rounds, small mistakes can cost you, so I’ve focused on sharpening my decision-making under pressure and improving my endurance so I can keep a championship pace from start to finish.”

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A second loss to Simbarashe ‘The Hawk’ Hokonya stung deeply. “That loss was tough, but it forced me to grow. It showed me the areas where I needed to be more disciplined, especially in my grappling defence and fight IQ. Mentally, it taught me to embrace setbacks as lessons. I’m hungrier and sharper because of it.”

For EFC 128, Zwane’s camp has focused on adaptability. “This camp, we’ve focused heavily on cage control and transitional wrestling, being able to dictate where the fight takes place. We’ve added specific drills to blend my striking with takedown defence, making me more unpredictable and complete.”

Facing Miyaba’s 3-0 record with all finishes, Zwane sees an opportunity. “He’s aggressive and looks for early finishes, but that also creates openings. We’ve studied his tendencies, and I plan on using my experience to weather the storm, frustrate him, and then take over as the fight goes on.”.

With a 66.5” reach, Zwane aims to dominate range. “My height allows me to control distance with my jab and kicks, while my reach helps me land first. The goal is to set the tempo, keep him reacting, and force him to fight my fight.”

A win could spark big moves. “A rematch with Roets is definitely something I want, but ultimately my goal is the EFC featherweight title. Whoever I need to face to get there, I’ll be ready.”

Looking to the UFC, he added, “EFC is the perfect proving ground, and a dominant win at EFC 128 is another step toward showing I belong on the world stage. From there, it’s about staying consistent, building momentum, and earning the opportunity to represent Africa at the UFC level.”

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