A sensational evening of mixed-martial arts blew the roof off the EFC Performance Institute in Johannesburg as Gift ‘The Day’ Walker was crowned as Africa’s new 125lb champion.
Facing fellow flyweight Terence ‘The Black Panther’ Balelo, the undefeated Walker had his hands full with the Capetonians pugilism as Balelo pushed the pace with crisp kickboxing and dynamic movement.
Coming into the second round, Walker moved up a gear to shoot for the takedown, which despite being defended furiously by his opponent, progressed into a rear-naked choke from which the Springs lad took the tap to initiate cheers of delirium as he leapt over the Hexagon into the arms of his fans.
As he gave a champions interview with the coveted strap around his waist, he beckoned his parents into the cage to introduce to the world, the people who adopted him in a Gauteng hospital when he was a three-month orphan, to share in the greatest evening of his life.
The co-main event was equally thrilling, as former champion Faeez ’Troublemaker’ Jacobs got past the tough Angolan, Eduardo Barros in a three-round war in which the fan favourite reminded the world of his astonishing speed and unorthodox abilities in both grappling and striking, to put himself in prime position to compete for the bantamweight belt in the near future.
Cape Town’s evening continued to shine bright, as PFA’s Tumelo ‘Bones of Steel’ Manyamala resumed his impressive winning streak with a dominant display on the ground against veteran Fafa Dwama, taking the TKO in the second round.
Zambian star Humphrey Mulenga also continues to astonish with another destructive finish with his fists, this time over the highly-experienced Tapiwa Katikati after the main card opened with a decision win for the undefeated Zimbabwean featherweight, Simbarashe Hokonya in a mature performance of patience and control against Divin Bosomi. Five action-packed prelims set the high-paced tone of the event, though the night undoubtedly belonged to ‘The Day’ Walker.
OFFICIAL EFC 107 RESULTS:
Main Card
FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT
Gift Walker def Terrance Balelo via Tap out due to Rear Naked Choke – Round 2 (1.37)
BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT
Faeez Jacobs def Eduardo Barros via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds
FLYWEIGHT FIGHT
Tumelo Manyamala def Fafa Dwama via TKO due to Strikes – Round 2 (4.13)
LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT
Humphrey Mulenga def Tapiwe Katikati via TKO due to Strikes – Round 1 (1.57)
FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT
Simbarashe Hokonya def Divin Bosomi by Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds
Prelim Card
BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT
Sibusiso Sovendle def Godfrey Mkhwanazi via Split Decision after 3 Rounds
FLYWEIGHT FIGHT
Willie Van Rooyen def David Makane via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds
LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT
Robert Swanepoel def Angelo Foloti by TKO due to Strikes – Round 2 (1.33)
FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT
Ayanda Zwane def Elvis Ngwalangwala by TKO due to Strikes – Round 3 (1.38)
FLYWEIGHT FIGHT
Kgaugelo Moitshela def Teboho Ntene by TKO due to Strikes – Round 2 (4.25)
