WATCH: MMASA Gauteng division hosts try-outs

Mixed Martial Arts South Africa’s (MMASA) Gauteng division hosted trials at Alberton Wrestling Club on March 14.

Winning competitors were then selected to go through to South African championships in April.

Several competitors participated in the successful event hosted for mixed martial arts (MMA) in Gauteng after a long Covid-19 layoff of the sport.

Other clubs that took part are Mile High Randfontein, XKT Benoni, XKT Brakpan, Junkyard MMA, APEX, HOT, VALHALLA and Mamelodi Warriors.

The fighters were judged based on their striking, general fitness, takedowns, submission attempts and aggressiveness.

Charl van Tonder of MMASA said they established numerous Gauteng champions at the event, creating a positive reflection of MMA as a beautiful sport.

“The first-ever youth MMA championships were hosted in Rome in 2019, setting the standard of rules to make MMA a family-friendly sport. International Mixed Martial Arts Federation rule-set was used throughout youth divisions and senior division rule-set was followed by sensor competitors,” he said.

WATCH: A video showing one of the competitors fighting during their trials.

Alberton clubs were also in attendance and produced Gauteng first place athletes.

Alberton youth divisions’ competitor Bjorn van Tonder from Brackenhurst took first place, becoming second time Gauteng champion. Corbin Hearle was selected in second place in his youth division.

MMASA thanks all athletes for the successful event and congratulates all participants who succeeded in becoming Gauteng champions.

“If you would like to join the MMA community, feel free to contact MMASA Gauteng or your local MMASA affiliated gyms. They are all professional and qualified MMA coaches certified under international mixed martial arts,” said van Tonder.

In attendance were MMASA president Raymond Philips, MMASA international referee Ferdinand Basson and MMASA board member Charl van Tonder.