MMA fighters battle it out in Cage Rage 13

Some 22 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes, mainly from the Eksteen MMA Institute in Polokwane and as far as Gauteng, battled it out in the cage to claim titles and cash prizes that were at stake during the Eksteen MMA Cage Rage 13 on Saturday.
The seniors competed in the main card event being the ultimate challenge in Extreme Fighting for the South African World International Martial Arts Association and Organisation (SA Wimaao) title and R2 500 cash prize.
Tournament organiser and Eksteen MMA owner, Henri Eksteen explained that the event is held annually in memory of his late father, Tini who passed on in 2012. He said the tournaments are sanctioned by SA Wimaao under the auspices of the international mother body Wimaao situated in Dublin, Ireland.
The night was a huge success and almost 90 MMA supporters from around Polokwane came to enjoy the action packed evening, he added. In the Last Man Standing category, Makhosi Tshipa was crowned the new SA Wimaao champion. The runner-up was an old face to the event and former title winner, Paul Kubannek while the third place went to Johan Jordaan.
Tshipa will defend the title next year and if it happens that he reclaims it, he will be the first fighter to wear the new SA Wimaao championship belt sent all the way from Ireland, explained Eksteen.
He thanked all the fighters who took part and sponsors for making the tournament a success. He concluded by saying next year’s edition might be held in Seshego or at the University of Limpopo as there is a massive following of MMA in these areas and many fans cannot get to the city to watch and support their favourite fighters.

Story and photos:ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za