EFC AFRICA 23 welter weight crown has changed hands.
In one of the most exciting fights that EFC AFRICA has delivered, Dino Bagattin fought like a lion to take away Michiel Opperman’s title from him. Opperman was the first to take the fight to his challenger and delivered a devastating blow to his right eye in the first round.
But under the watchful eye of well-known boxing trainer, Peter Smith, Bagattin was prepared for all attempts of Opperman to lure him to the canvas and have the fight on the ground. He delivered his own set of punches throughout the fight to Opperman and soon blood was not only flowing from Bagattin face, but Opperman’s face as well.
Over five rounds Bagattin tore the champion apart, landing uncountable elbows. By the end, both were bleeding heavily and Bagattin was undoubtedly the new champion.
In the main fight of the evening Andrew van Zyl retained the heavy weight title against Sors Grobbelaar. Van Zyl didn’t have any problems with the challenger forcing him into submission after ground and pound strikes from the back to his face.
Wilhelm Strauss from Alberton and Vandam Mbuyi fought in the heavy weight division. Mbuyi dropped Strauss to the canvas with a hammering straight right to earn himself the “Knock out of the Night “award.
The other awards of the evening went to Pierre Botha for his impressive arm triangle victory over Baldwin Mdlalose, and the epic welterweight title clash between Michiel Opperman and Dino Bagattin was awarded fight of the night.
EFC AFRICA 23 full results:
Nelson Feiteira defeated Anicet Kanyeba via submission (heel hook), 3:50 into round 1.
Pierre Botha defeated Baldwin Mdlalose via submission (arm triangle), 3:44 into round 2. (Winning the submission of the night award.)
Dricus du Plessis defeated Bruno Mukulu via submission (RNC) 2:34 into Round 1.
Hanru Botha defeated Peter Nyide via unanimous decision.
Francois Groenewald defeated Craig Ninow via submission (RNC), 3:50 into round 3.
Brendan Groenewald defeated Roelof Scheepers via submission (RNC), 4:10 into round 1.
Sibusiso Mdoku defeated Johan van Staden via submission (RNC), 1:01 into round 3.
Alexander Cheboub defeated Kalil Akleker via unanimous decision.
Vandam Mbuyi defeated Wilhelm Strauss via KO, 0:28 into round 1.(Winning the knock out of the night award.)
Henry Fadipe defeated Martin van Staden via submission (ankle lock), 2:18 into round 1.
Boyd Allen defeated Wesley Hawkey by submission, 1:59 into round 1.
Dino Bagattin defeated Michiel Opperman via unanimous decision, becoming the new EFC AFRICA welterweight champion. (Winning the fight of the night award.)
Andrew van Zyl defeated Sors Grobbelaar via TKO (punches), 1:51 into round 2. He remains the EFC AFRICA heavyweight champion.
EFC AFRICA returns to Carnival City for EFC AFRICA 24, presented by MusclePharm, taking place at the Carnival City Big Top Arena on October 10. Tickets on sale now at www.computicket.com.
