Elsburg fighter Pietie Coxen plans historic move after title defence
“I have been training non-stop since winning my second belt. I am also developing new talent, on January 30, two of our fighters will have their amateur MMA fights.”
Pietie ‘Thunder’ Coxen is set to defend his middleweight championship in March, marking his first title defence in the division.
The Titan Bare Knuckle promotions fighter recently became a double champion after clinching his second belt against Ryan Pretorius on October 4.
Coxen now steps into the ring with a clear goal: to retain his championship.
Already the welterweight champion (79kg), he will now defend the middleweight title (84kg) he secured with a first-round knockout of Pretorius, extending his undefeated streak.
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However, a new challenge looms on the horizon. Speaking about his preparations, Coxen said, “I have been training non-stop since winning my second belt. I am also developing new talent. On January 30, two of our fighters will have their amateur MMA fights.”
Beyond the gym, Coxen is actively involved in his community of Elsburg.
“I am also doing the Anti-Bullying Programme with schools and have been invited to two more. We have been running this programme for two years, and the results are positive,” he said.
Leading up to his March title defence, Coxen trains every day with late evening sessions at his gym.
He oversees baby classes, youth classes, and open sessions for both men and women, all while planning to continue his successful streak in the ring.
Coxen has ambitious plans for 2026.
He aims to win his upcoming matches and sign with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), which would make him the first South African-based fighter to join the promotion.
With a standout year behind him, the MMA fighter and coach shows no signs of slowing down.
