Opportunity knocks for Potchefstroom’s own EFC fighter, Roevan de Beer, who has the chance to take his first EFC (Extreme Fighting Championship) Bantamwight title when he faces Nicholas “The Saint” Hwende at EFC 101 on Thursday, 2 March.
De Beer, who represents Coalition Grappling Academy, was originally not scheduled for a title fight at EFC 101 and would have faced Bheki Ncgobo in a bantamweight fight on the prelim card at the same event.
Circumstances though fell into De Beer’s favour, when Hwende’s original opponent, Musa Sethwape, withdrew due to injury this week.
De Beer now has over just more than a week to prepare for his first EFC title fight – not that is fazes De Beer, as he believes that he can definitely make the most of this massive opportunity.
“I feel confident. I really trained hard for my original opponent so I am in great shape. I know I have the skillset to beat anyone on the day. I could’ve been in a title fight position earlier,” he stated.
De Beer also mentions that he will now have to change his game plan for the fight, something that he feels is a positive.
“I feel that I even have a better game plan now that I am facing Hwende. It suits my style better. I had a rigorous training camp and I can keep my stamina if it is for 3 or 5 rounds, it won’t matter,” he said.
De Beer originally did not envision himself as a champion in EFC, but after performing consistently for the past few EFC bouts and with a 5-2 win/loss record in the bantamweight division, no one can argue that he deserves a title shot.
“My record speaks for itself if you look at the caliber of fighters I have faced in EFC. I never thought I would be a title contender, but I’ve changed my mind set and now I am ready to become a champion,” he stated.
De Beer started MMA as he wanted to be a trainer and coach other athletes to greatness in the professional arena – now he has the chance to dream big and gain an EFC title.
“My goal is ultimately to train fighters at CGA and take them further than I’ve been. So at the current rate, I would want my fighters to become EFC champions. My first goal was to obtain my pro license and secondly was to win a pro fight. It’s quite unbelievable that I am a number one contender for the title. After the loss against Cameron Saaiman (EFC 92) I regrouped and really started to shift my focus the title,” he added.
His opponent at EFC 101, Nicholas Hwende, has a bright future ahead of him and has already shown himself as a fighting champion. Hailing from Zimbabwe, now fighting out of Kyalami, Johannesburg, Hwende (26) is still unbeaten with a 5-0 record.
“He is a really good fighter and I respect the manner in which he defends his title. I am ready for the fight I feel that everything has fit into place and it suits me how this fight has panned out with less distractions beforehand. I can just focus on the fight,” stated De Beer.
This well-known local EFC fighter won’t be the only Potchefstroomer on the card, with CGA’s Micky Cloete (who De Beer also trains) facing Tyral Louw in a flyweight fight on the prelim card. This will be Cloete’s second fight in EFC and he will be hoping to get his first win.
“I am really excited for the fight. I have been training hard for the past three months. I am in peak condition and ready to show EFC what I am made of. There is no such thing as an easy fight, but I am 100% positive of good outcome and a first win. Tyral will definitely see that,” emphasises Cloete.
