JP ready for EFC 22

JP ‘Tinkerbell’ Kruger will battle it out with fellow middleweight fighter Tumelo Maphuta at EFC 22, on August 15 at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena.

Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is the national sport and cultural martial art of Thailand, which was developed several hundred years ago as a form of close-combat that utilises the entire body as a weapon.

Raymond Phillips and JP recently returned from a kickboxing training camp in Thailand, which formed a part of JP’s EFC 22 fight preparation.

The Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand is an advanced training facility and, says Raymond, it was an awesome experience.

“It went so well that Tiger sponsored JP’s training and gave us permission to use their logo on his walk-out banner. We are very honoured. They all raved about JP and he made us proud. He was one of the strongest fighters there,” says Raymond.

Raymond was also privileged to have veteran and seasoned fighters like Brian Ebersole, who is a long time friend of Xtreme Kickboxing Technologies (XKT), and Roger Huerta helping get JP fighting fit and ready.

Raymond’s local team consists of James Read, Director of XKT, and Brazilian Jujitsu (BJJ) head coach of the Rio Grappling Club, Jurgen Putter.

“In order for any fighter to be successful, their team needs to be of high quality and have experience in the sport of MMA and Muay Thai. We are grateful to have such a team,” says Raymond.

The XKT team will have three fighters competing in the coming EFC 22 event, namely Cedric Doil, Chimmy van Winkel and JP. JP will feature in the main fight of the evening.

Raymond sees the team and fighter as more than prepared for the cage battle ahead.

“We are ready and will do our best to become the champions on the night,” says Raymond.

“We are fighters and we don’t predict fights but we are confident our fighters are prepared to give it their all.”