EFC rising star Babayega’s relentless pursuit of greatness
'Babayega' stepped into the cage with fire in his heart and left with his opponent tapping out in 3 minutes.
Shadrack ‘Babayega’ Yemba has never been one to back down from a fight – not in the cage, not in life.
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Born with the spirit of a warrior, he was once a young boy in Congo, dreaming of becoming a professional footballer. But fate had other plans. When his football ambitions slipped through his fingers, he turned to the fight game, a decision that would shape his destiny.
Under the guidance of EFC legend coach Tiny Straus and coach Welcome Malumbu at Body Snatcher Boxing Fitness in Highlands North, he is carving his name into the world of MMA, one victory at a time.
Earlier this month, he stepped into the cage against Tapiwa Katikati. In just 03:47, he wrapped his opponent in an anaconda choke, forcing the tap and extending his unbeaten record. It was a masterclass in precision, power, and sheer determination.
Babayega’s story isn’t one of overnight success. He began martial arts training at eight years old, learning karate and judo, and was competing by 12. He later improved his skills in boxing, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. In 2021, he fully entered the world of MMA and has since fought over 20 bouts, winning all but four.
His 2024 EFC debut was a statement, proving he belonged among Africa’s best. He trains like a man possessed, pushing his body to the limit with three sessions a day, six days a week. He starts his mornings early with a 5km run. Afternoons focus on striking and wrestling, while evenings are for grappling and jiu-jitsu. Saturdays include sparring and some football, his first love, a tool to keep his footwork sharp.
His favourite part of MMA is grappling, it’s a mental battle as much as a physical one, like a game of chess where a single move can determine the outcome. But while he enjoys the sport’s strategic aspect, his training approach is all-encompassing.
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Fighting is a mental and physical battle, and his goal is to become a world champion. He keeps his mental prep simple. “I remind myself why I do this. When the cage door locks, there’s no fear, only the fight. Injuries are just another opponent to overcome.”
The road to greatness demands sacrifices, but to Babayega, they aren’t sacrifices at all, fighting gives his life meaning. He envisions a future where his name is remembered, where his daughter will watch his fights and know her father was one of the best.
Outside the cage, he enjoys simple pleasures – football, long walks, and reality TV (yes, even The Real Housewives of Gherbeqa). But his life revolves around three things – his training, his family, and his ambition.
He is inspired by legends such as Don Madge and Demarte Pena, fighters who proved that African talent belongs on the world stage. But his greatest influence was closer to home, his cousin, Erick Kazadi, who introduced him to boxing and helped shape the fighter he is today.
With an unbeaten streak in the EFC, Babayega is on his way to greatness. He fights not just to win but to leave a legacy, and each fight brings him closer to his ultimate goal, to be the best in the world. If his past performances are any indication, that day may come sooner than expected.
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