Extreme Fighting Championship

South African mixed martial arts promotion company

Extreme Fighting Championship

Industry| Mixed martial arts promotion
Founded| September 2009
Founders| Cairo Howarth
Silas Howarth
Calvin Howarth
Headquarters|

Paulshof, Johannesburg

South Africa

Key people

| Cairo Howarth
Silas Howarth
Calvin Howarth
Graeme Cartmell
Website| http://www.efcworldwide.com/

Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) is a South African mixed martial arts promotion company established since 2009. It is the largest MMA promotion company on the continent of Africa[1] and features on its roster professional fighters from across the world including the United States, Europe, South America, the UK, Australia, and Africa. The organization produces 10 live events annually. They currently have over 120 athletes exclusively contracted to the organisation.[2] EFC events are currently broadcast in over 120 countries around the world on numerous television networks in multiple languages.[3] To date, EFC has held 106 events (104 numbered events and 2 fight night events) and presided over approximately 1,000 matches.[4]

## History

[edit]

EFC was founded in 2009 by brothers Cairo Howarth, Silas Howarth, and Calvin Howarth[5] who are the present owners and along with Graeme Cartmell, who is the Vice President of Talent and Matchmaker, are the key people in the company. Prior to 2009, the Howarth brothers were great admirers of the UFC and would regularly watch UFC events through pay per view channels. This inspired them to create an African-based MMA promotion company modelled on the UFC which they named Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC). EFC's inaugural event took place at the Ticketpro Dome (formerly the Coca-Cola Dome) in Johannesburg, South Africa on 10 November 2009.[6][7] The first 7 events took place at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg. From the 8th event in 2011 onwards, the organization held events in other major cities throughout South Africa which to date includes Cape Town, Durban, Carnival City Casino, Sun City Casino, Pretoria and Johannesburg. When the demand to watch EFC events grew, they signed television broadcasting and streaming deals with a number of media organizations throughout the world. Today EFC has broadcasting deals in place with Multichoice Supersport, SABC Sport, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, CSI Sports, DAZN, Best4Sport, and IB Sports.[8]

## Rules

[edit]

Extreme Fighting Championship's rules were initially drafted and aligned by Marius Lotter, the then regulator for Amateur and Professional MMA and are based upon the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. All bouts are contested over three, five-minute rounds, with the exception of five-round championship bouts. There is a one-minute rest period between rounds. As per the Unified Rules of MMA, Extreme Fighting Championship only allows competitors to fight in approved shorts, without shoes or any other sort of foot padding. Fighters must use approved light gloves (4-6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab. The referee has the right to stop the fighters and stand them up if they reach a stalemate on the ground (where neither are in a dominant position nor working toward one) after a verbal warning.[citation needed]

### Match outcome

[edit]

Matches usually end via:

* Submission: a fighter taps on the mat or his opponent three times (or more) or verbally submits.
* Knockout: a fighter falls from a legal blow and is either unconscious or unable to immediately continue.
* Technical Knockout: stoppage of the fight by the referee if it is determined a fighter cannot "intelligently defend" himself or by ringside doctor due to injury.
* Judges' Decision: Depending on scoring, a match may end as:
* unanimous decision (all three judges score a win for one fighter),
* split decision (two judges score a win for one fighter with the third for the other),
* majority decision (two judges score a win for one fighter with one for a draw),
* unanimous draw (all three judges score a draw),
* majority draw (two judges score a draw).
* split draw (the total points for each fighter is equal)

A fight can also end in a technical decision, technical draw, disqualification, forfeit or no contest.

### Judging criteria

[edit]

The ten-point must system is used for all EFC bouts; three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points. The decision is announced at the end of the match, but the judge's scorecards are not announced.

### Fouls

[edit]

The following are considered fouls in EFC bouts:

1. Butting with the head.
2. Eye gouging of any kind.
3. Biting.
4. Hair pulling.
5. Groin attacks of any kind.
6. Fish hooking, gouging as in self-defense and some martial arts.
7. Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
8. Small joint manipulation.
9. Striking to the spine or the back of the head. (see Rabbit punch)
10. Striking downward using the point of the elbow. (see Elbow (strike))
11. Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea.
12. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
13. Grabbing the clavicle.
14. Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
15. Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
16. Stomping a grounded opponent.
17. Kicking to the kidney with the heel.
18. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck. (see piledriver (professional wrestling))
19. Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area.
20. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
21. Spitting at an opponent.
22. Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
23. Holding the ropes or the fence.
24. Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.
25. Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
26. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
27. Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.
28. Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.
29. Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
30. Interference by the corner.
31. Throwing in the towel during competition.

When a foul is charged, the referee in their discretion may deduct one or more points as a penalty. If a foul incapacitates a fighter, then the match may end in a disqualification if the foul was intentional, or a no contest if unintentional. If a foul causes a fighter to be unable to continue later in the bout, it ends with a technical decision win to the injured fighter if the injured fighter is ahead on points, otherwise it is a technical draw.

## EFC champions

[edit]

Class | Upper weight limit | Champion | Event | Date | Source

|
|
|
|
|

Heavyweight | 265 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st) |  Elvis Moyo
def. Anthony Morel |  EFC 122
EFC Performance Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa | 10 April 2025 |
Light Heavyweight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) |  JC Lamprecht
def. Mzwandile Hlongwa |  EFC 106
EFC Performance Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa | 10 August 2023 |
Middleweight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) |  Luke Michael

def. Jaco du Plessis

| EFC 116

EFC Performance Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa

| 8 August 2024 |
Welterweight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) |  Zaakir Badat
def. Ziko Makengele |  EFC 113
EFC Performance Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa | 9 May 2024 |
Lightweight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) |  Martin Van Staden
def. Igeu Kabesa | EFC 120

EFC Performance Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa

| 12 December 2024 |
Featherweight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) |  Igeu Kabesa
def. Nerik Simões | EFC 95
EFC Performance Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa | 16 July 2022 |
Interim

Ken Sekeletu
def. Roedie Roets

| EFC 118

EFC Performance Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa

| 6 March 2025  |
Bantamweight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) |  Faeez Jacobs

def. Vince Bembe

| EFC 117

EFC Performance Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa

| 12 September 2024 |
Flyweight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) |  Willie van Rooyen

def. Kleberson Sousa

| EFC 123

World Sports Betting EFC Arena, Sandton, South Africa

| 8 May 2025 |
Women's Bantamweight | 134 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) |  Juliet Chukwu

def. Dayne van Wyk

| EFC 119

EFC Performance Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa

| 11 November 2024 |
Women's Flyweight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) |  Amanda Lino

def. Mariana Salles

| EFC 123

World Sports Betting EFC Arena, Sandton, South Africa

| 8 May 2025 |
Women's Strawweight | 115 lb (52 kg; 8.2 st) | Vacant |  |  |

## Championship history

[edit]

### Heavyweight World Championship

[edit]

206 to 265 lbs (93 to 120 kg)

No.  | Name  | Event  | Date  | Defenses

|
|
|
|

1  |  Ruan Potts
def. Norman Wessels | EFC 9
Johannesburg, South Africa | 30 July 2011  | 1. def. Andrew Van Zyl at EFC 11 on 10 November 2011
2. def. Bernardo Mikixi at EFC 16 on 19 October 2012

2  |  Andrew Van Zyl | EFC 18
Johannesburg, South Africa | 1 March 2013  | 1. def. Sors Grobbelaar at EFC 23 on 12 September 2013
3  |  Ruan Potts (2) | EFC 26
Johannesburg, South Africa | 12 December 2013  |
Potts vacated the title on 10 May 2014 after signing with the UFC.
4  |  Brendon Groenewald
def. Christophe Walravens | EFC 35
Cape Town, South Africa | 6 November 2014  |
5  |  Andrew Van Zyl (2) | EFC 39
Cape Town, South Africa | 7 May 2015  |
6  |  Cyril Asker | EFC 44
Johannesburg, South Africa | 3 October 2015  |
Asker vacated the title on 10 April 2016 after signing with the UFC.
7  |  Danie van Heerden
def. Brendon Groenewald | EFC 48
Cape Town, South Africa | 22 April 2016  |
van Heerden vacated the title on 15 October 2016 after leaving EFC.
8  |  Andrew Van Zyl (3)
def. Elvis Moyo | EFC 54
Sun City, South Africa | 15 October 2016  | 1. def. Wessel Mostert at EFC 61 on 8 July 2017
2. def. Jared Vanderaa at EFC 66 on 16 December 2017
9  |  Dalcha Lungiambula | EFC 71
Johannesburg, South Africa | 23 June 2018  |
\-  |  Jared Vanderaa
def. Ruan Potts for interim title | EFC 76
Pretoria, South Africa | 8 December 2018  |
Lungiambula vacated the title in December 2018 after signing with the UFC.
10  |  Jared Vanderaa
promoted to undisputed champion | —  | 9 February 2019  | 1. def. Ricky Misholas at EFC 77 on 16 March 2019
Vanderaa vacated the title on 4 November 2020 after signing with the UFC.
11  |  Thabani Mndebela
def. Matunga Djikasa | EFC 88
Johannesburg, South Africa | 14 August 2021  |
Mndebela vacated the title after signing with the UAE Warriors.
12  |  Matunga Djikasa
def. Vandam Mbuyi | EFC 98
Johannesburg, South Africa | 6 October 2022  |
Djikasa vacated the title after signing with Absolute Championship Akhmat.
13  |  Anthony Morel
def. Vandam Mbuyi | EFC 115
Johannesburg, South Africa | 11 July 2024  |
14  |  Elvis Moyo | EFC 122
Johannesburg, South Africa | 10 April 2025  |

### Light Heavyweight World Championship

[edit]

186 to 205 lbs (84 to 93 kg)

No.  | Name  | Event  | Date  | Defenses

|
|
|
|

1  |  J.P. Joubert
def. Norman Wessels | EFC 15
Johannesburg, South Africa | 27 July 2012  |
Joubert vacated the title after he retired.
2  |  Gideon Drotschie
def. Danie van Heerden | EFC 20
Johannesburg, South Africa | 27 June 2013  | 1. def. Fraser Opie at EFC 25 on 7 November 2013
3  |  Norman Wessels | EFC 35
Cape Town, South Africa | 6 November 2014  |

1. def. Dalcha Lungiambula at EFC 42 on 8 August 2015

\-  |  Dalcha Lungiambula
def. Tumelo Maphutha for interim title | EFC 52
Cape Town, South Africa | 5 August 2016  |
Wessels vacated the title on 4 March 2017 after he retired.
4  |  Dalcha Lungiambula
promoted to undisputed champion | EFC 52
Cape Town, South Africa | 4 March 2017  |

1. def. Alan Baudot at EFC 61 on 8 July 2017
2. def. Stuart Austin at EFC 65 on 4 November 2017

Lungiambula vacated the title on 29 June 2019 after signing with the UFC.
5  |  Simon Biyong
def. Quinton Roussow | EFC 82
Brakpan, South Africa | 28 September 2019  |
Biyong vacated the title on 10 October 2020 after signing with Bellator MMA.
6  |  JC Lamprecht
def. Mzwandile Hlongwa | EFC 106
Johannesburg, South Africa | 10 August 2023  |

1. def. Edson Silva at EFC 123 on 8 May 2025

### Middleweight World Championship

[edit]

171 to 185 lbs (77 to 84 kg)

No.  | Name  | Event  | Date  | Defenses

|
|
|
|

1  |  Garreth McLellan
def. Jacques Joubert | EFC 8
Johannesburg, South Africa | 14 April 2011  |
2  |  Jeremy Smith | EFC 12
Johannesburg, South Africa | 2 March 2012  |

1. def. Darren Daniel at EFC 17 on 23 November 2012

3  |  Garreth McLellan (2) | EFC 24
Johannesburg, South Africa | 10 October 2013  |

1. def. JP Kruger at EFC 28 on 27 March 2014
2. def. Dricus du Plessis at EFC 33 on 30 August 2014

McLellan vacated the title on 11 April 2015 after signing with the UFC.
4  |  Liam Cleland
def. Michiel Opperman | EFC 41
Johannesburg, South Africa | 11 July 2015  |
Cleland vacated the title on 13 May 2016 after he retired.
5  |  Yannick Bahati
def. JP Kruger | EFC 49
Johannesburg, South Africa | 13 May 2016  |

1. def. David Buirski at EFC 56 on 9 December 2016

6  |  Dricus Du Plessis | EFC 61
Johannesburg, South Africa | 19 August 2017  |

1. def. interim champion Brendan Lesar at EFC 83 on 14 December 2019

\-  |  Brendan Lesar
def. Garreth McLellan for interim title | EFC 80
Sibaya, South Africa | 29 June 2019  |
Du Plessis vacated the title on 10 October 2020 after signing with the UFC.
7  |  Luke Michael
def. Pupanga Tresor | EFC 92
Johannesburg, South Africa | 5 March 2022  |
\-  |  JP Kruger
def. Conrad Seabi for interim title | EFC 103
Johannesburg, South Africa | 11 May 2023  |
8  |  JP Kruger | EFC 112
Johannesburg, South Africa | 11 April 2024  |
Kruger vacated the title on 15 July 2024 after he retired.
9  |  Luke Michael (2)
def. Jaco Du Plessis | EFC 112
Johannesburg, South Africa | 8 August 2024  |

1. def. Siyaku Dumiso at EFC 125 on 3 July 2025

### Welterweight World Championship

[edit]

156 to 170 lbs (70 to 77 kg)

No.  | Name  | Event  | Date  | Defenses

|
|
|
|

1  |  Dallas Jakobi
def. Adam Speechly | EFC 10
Johannesburg, South Africa | 1 September 2011  |
2  |  Jadyson Costa | EFC 13
Johannesburg, South Africa | 13 April 2012  |
3  |  Michiel Opperman | EFC 16
Johannesburg, South Africa | 19 October 2012  |
4  |  Dino Bagattin | EFC 23
Johannesburg, South Africa | 12 September 2013  |
5  |  Henry Fadipe | EFC 29
Johannesburg, South Africa | 1 May 2014  |
6  |  Adam Speechly | EFC 32
Johannesburg, South Africa | 7 August 2014  |
7  |  David Buirski | EFC 37
Boksburg, South Africa | 21 February 2015  |

1. def. Martin van Staden at EFC 46 on 12 December 2015

Burisku vacated the title on 3 July 2014 when he moved up to Middleweight.
8  |  Dricus Du Plessis
def. Martin van Staden | EFC 50
Sun City, South Africa | 17 June 2016  |
Du Plessis vacated on 14 April 2018 after signing with KSW.
9  |  Gunter Kalunda Ngunza
def. Maurício da Rocha Jr. | EFC 73
Sun City, South Africa | 7 September 2018  |

1. def. Martin van Staden at EFC 46 on 12 December 2015

Ngunza vacated on 25 April 2019 after signing with ONE.
10  |  Themba Gorimbo
def. Luke Michael | EFC 82
Brakpan, South Africa | 28 September 2019  |

1. def. Lyle Karam at EFC 84 on 14 March 2020

Gorimbo vacated on 29 October 2021 after signing with the UAE Warriors.
11  |  Ziko Magengele
def. Martin van Staden | EFC 93
Johannesburg, South Africa | 9 April 2022  |
12  |  Mark Hulme | EFC 102
Johannesburg, South Africa | 13 April 2023  |

1. def. Peace Nguphane at EFC 110 on 7 December 2023

Hulme vacated the title after leaving EFC.
13  |  Zaakir Badat
def. Jailson Sousa | EFC 113
Johannesburg, South Africa | 9 May 2024  |

1. def. Luke Michael at EFC 120 on 12 December 2024
2. def. Segun Ogunnoki at EFC 124 on 6 June 2025

### Lightweight World Championship

[edit]

146 to 155 lbs (66 to 70 kg)

No.  | Name  | Event  | Date  | Defenses

|
|
|
|

1  |  Wentzel Nel
def. Leo Gloss | EFC 3
Johannesburg, South Africa | 8 May 2010  |
2  |  Costa Ioannou | EFC 8
Johannesburg, South Africa | 14 April 2011  |

1. def. Alex Cheboub at EFC 11 on 10 November 2011
2. def. Adam Speechly at EFC 14 on 1 June 2012
3. def. Leon Mynhardt at EFC 17 on 23 November 2012

3  |  Don Madge | EFC 20
Johannesburg, South Africa | 27 June 2013  |
3  |  Leon Mynhardt | EFC 25
Johannesburg, South Africa | 7 November 2013  |

1. def. Frederich Naumann at EFC 27 on 27 February 2014
2. def. Sibusiso Mdoko at EFC 34 on 2 October 2014
3. def. Don Madge at EFC 37 on 21 February 2015
4. def. Themba Gorimbo at EFC 44 on 3 October 2015

4  |  Dave Mazany | EFC 51
Johannesburg, South Africa | 15 July 2016  |

1. def. Leon Mynhardt at EFC 55 on 11 November 2016

5  |  Don Madge (2) | EFC 58
Cape Town, South Africa | 8 April 2017  |
Madge vacated the title on 27 October 2018 after signing with the UFC.
6  |  Martin van Staden
def. Gavin Hughes | EFC 68
Cape Town, South Africa | 31 March 2018  |
7  |  Dave Mazany (2) | EFC 72
Cape Town, South Africa | 11 August 2018  |
Mazany vacated the title on 17 October 2018 after he retired.
8  |  Joe Cummins
def. Martin van Staden | EFC 77
Pretoria, South Africa | 16 March 2019  |
\-  |  Alain Ilunga
def. Anicet Kanyeba for interim title | EFC 86
Johannesburg, South Africa | 12 June 2021  |
Ilunga vacated the interim title after signing with Absolute Championship Akhmat.
\-  |  Tshilumba Mikixi
def. Cole Henning for interim title | EFC 100
Johannesburg, South Africa | 1 December 2022  |
Cummins vacated the lineal title after leaving EFC, while Mikixi was stripped of the interim title on 7 December 2023 after withdrawing from a scheduled title bout against Kaleka Kabanda at EFC 110.
9  |  Igeu Kabesa
def. Kaleka Kabanda | EFC 112
Johannesburg, South Africa | 11 April 2024  |
10  |  Martin van Staden (2) | EFC 120
Johannesburg, South Africa | 12 December 2024  |

### Featherweight World Championship

[edit]

136 to 145 lbs (61 to 66 kg)

No.  | Name  | Event  | Date  | Defenses

|
|
|
|

1  |  Demarte Pena
def. Leo Gloss | EFC 10
Johannesburg, South Africa | 1 September 2011  |

1. def. Wesley Hawkey at EFC 14 on 1 June 2012
2. def. Terrence Griessel at EFC 16 on 19 October 2012
3. def. Wentzel Nel at EFC 19 on 19 April 2013
4. def. Abdul Hassan at EFC 21 on 25 July 2013
5. def. Alain Ilunga at EFC 24 on 10 October 2013

Pena vacated the title on 3 July 2014 when he moved down to Bantamweight.
2  |  Boyd Allen
def. Barend Nienaber | EFC 32
Johannesburg, South Africa | 7 August 2014  |

1. def. Wade Groth at EFC 36 on 11 December 2014
2. def. Wesley Hawkey at EFC 38 on 4 April 2015

3  |  Danny Henry | EFC 44
Johannesburg, South Africa | 3 October 2015  |
4  |  Igeu Kabesa  | EFC 47
Johannesburg, South Africa | 5 March 2016  |

1. def. Hanru Botha at EFC 56 on 9 December 2016

5  |  Danny Henry (2) | EFC 57
Johannesburg, South Africa | 4 March 2017  |
Henry vacated the title on 16 July 2017 after signing with the UFC.
6  |  Igeu Kabesa (2)
def. Pierre Botha | EFC 62
Johannesburg, South Africa | 19 August 2017  |

1. def. Calum Murrie at EFC 74 on 6 October 2018
2. def. Karlo Caput at EFC 79 on 4 May 2019

7  |  Reinaldo Ekson | EFC 86
Johannesburg, South Africa | 12 June 2021  |

1. def. August Kayambala at EFC 91 on 4 December 2021

Ekson vacated the title after signing with PFL.
8  |  Igeu Kabesa (3)
def. Nerik Simões | EFC 95
Johannesburg, South Africa | 16 July 2022  |

1. def. Bradley Swanepol at EFC 99 on 11 November 2022
2. def. Vince Bembe at EFC 104 on 15 June 2023
3. def. Reinaldo Ekson at EFC 110 on 7 December 2023

\-  |  Roedie Roets
def. Ayanda Zwane for interim title | EFC 118
Johannesburg, South Africa | 10 October 2024  |
\-  |  Ken Sekeletu
def. interim champion Roedie Roets | EFC 121
Johannesburg, South Africa | 6 March 2025  |

### Bantamweight World Championship

[edit]

126 to 135 lbs (57 to 61 kg)

No.  | Name  | Event  | Date  | Defenses

|
|
|
|

1  |  Nkazimulo Zulu
def. Charlie Weyer | EFC 27
Johannesburg, South Africa | 27 February 2014  |
2  |  Demarte Pena | EFC 31
Johannesburg, South Africa | 3 July 2014  |

1. def. Francois Groenewald at EFC 34 on 2 October 2014
2. def. Cedric Doyle at EFC 41 on 11 July 2015
NC. vs. interim champion Irshaad Sayed at EFC 55 on 11 November 2016
NC. vs. interim champion Irshaad Sayed at EFC 66 on 16 December 2017

\-  |  Irshaad Sayed
def. Cedric Doyle for interim title | EFC 48
Cape Town, South Africa | 22 April 2016  |
Pena defended and unified the title at EFC 55, but his win was overturned to a no-contest due to a failed drug test. On 25 May 2017, this violation was ruled as unintentional and Pena was then allowed to remain as lineal champion. Subsequently, Sayed was then retroactively reinstated as interim champion.
Pena defended and unified the title at EFC 66, but was stripped of the title on 17 December 2017, after his win was overturned to a no-contest due to another failed drug test.[9] Sayed was not retroactively reinstated as interim champion, as he opted to vacate the title and retire.
3  |  JP Buys
def. Philippe Rouch | EFC 69
Johannesburg, South Africa | 28 April 2018  |

1. def. interim champion Luthando Biko at EFC 78 on 13 April 2019

\-  |  Luthando Biko
def. Cal Ellenor for interim title | EFC 75
Cape Town, South Africa | 3 November 2018  |
\-  |  Faeez Jacobs
def. Nkazimulo Zulu for interim title | EFC 81
Johannesburg, South Africa | 10 August 2019  |
Buys vacated the title on 17 November 2020 after signing with the UFC.
4  |  Faeez Jacobs
promoted to undisputed champion | —  | 17 November 2020  |
5  |  Sylvester Chipfumbu | EFC 85
Johannesburg, South Africa | 8 May 2021  |
Chipfumbu vacated the title after signing with the UAE Warriors.
6  |  Cameron Saaiman
def. Sindile Manengela | EFC 94
Johannesburg, South Africa | 4 June 2022  |
Saaiman vacated the title in March 2022 to compete on Dana White's Contender Series.
7  |  Nicholas Hwende
def. Nkazimulo Zulu | EFC 96
Johannesburg, South Africa | 11 August 2022  |

1. def. Nkazimulo Zulu at EFC 100 on 1 December 2022
2. def. Roevan de Beer at EFC 101 on 2 March 2023

Hwende vacated the title in June 2023 after signing with Brave CF.
8  |  Nkazimulo Zulu (2)
def. Musa Sethwape | EFC 105
Johannesburg, South Africa | 13 July 2023  |
\-  |  Terence Balelo
def. Musa Sethwape for interim title | EFC 108
Johannesburg, South Africa | 12 October 2023  |
Zulu vacated the title to focus on defending the Flyweight title.
9  |  Terence Balelo
promoted to undisputed champion | —  | 7 March 2024  |
Balelo vacated the title on 22 May 2024 when he moved down to Flyweight.
10  |  Faeez Jacobs (2)
def. Vince Bembe | EFC 117
Johannesburg, South Africa | 12 September 2024  |

1. def. Sibusiso Sovendle at EFC 122 on 10 April 2025

### Flyweight World Championship

[edit]

116 to 125 lbs (53 to 67 kg)

No.  | Name  | Event  | Date  | Defenses

|
|
|
|

1  |  Nkazimulo Zulu
def. Craig Ninow | EFC 43
Durban, South Africa | 27 August 2015  |

1. def. Sylvester Chipfumbu at EFC 62 on 19 August 2017
2. def. Magno Alves at EFC 71 on 23 June 2018
3. def. Gary Joshua at EFC 75 on 3 November 2018

Zulu vacated the title to compete in The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions.
2  |  JP Buys
def. Baldwin Mdlalose | EFC 54
Sun City, South Africa | 15 October 2016  |
Buys vacated the title when he moved up to Bantamweight.
3  |  Jake Hadley  | EFC 78
Cape Town, South Africa | 13 April 2019  |
Hadley vacated the title after signing with Bellator MMA.
4  |  Nkazimulo Zulu (2)
def. Luthando Biko | EFC 89
Johannesburg, South Africa | 10 September 2021  |
5  |  Luthando Biko | EFC 91
Johannesburg, South Africa | 4 December 2021  |

1. def. Magno Alves at EFC 96 on 11 August 2022

Biko vacated the title after signing with Ares FC.
6  |  Gift Walker
def. Terence Balelo | EFC 107
Johannesburg, South Africa | 7 September 2023  |
7  |  Nkazimulo Zulu (3) | EFC 111
Johannesburg, South Africa | 7 March 2024  |
\-  |  Terence Balelo
def. Liridon Ramani for interim title | EFC 114
Johannesburg, South Africa | 6 June 2024  |
Zulu vacated the title on 24 August 2024 after signing with Rizin.
9  |  Terence Balelo
promoted to undisputed champion | —  | 24 August 2024  |
10  |  Edson Machavane | EFC 119
Johannesburg, South Africa | 14 November 2024  |
Machavane vacated the title after signing with ONE.
11  |  Willie van Rooyen
def. Kleberson Sousa | EFC 123
Sandton, South Africa | 8 May 2025  |

1. def. Anatolie Gafin at EFC 126 on 7 August 2025

### Women's Bantamweight World Championship

[edit]

126 to 135 lbs (57 to 61 kg)

No.  | Name  | Event  | Date  | Defenses

|
|
|
|

1  |  Juliet Chukwu
def. Dayne Van Wyk | EFC 119
Johannesburg, South Africa | 14 November 2024  |

### Women's Flyweight World Championship

[edit]

116 pounds (53 kg) to 125 pounds (57 kg)

No.  | Name  | Event  | Date  | Defenses

|
|
|
|

1  |  Amanda Lino
def. Jaqauline Trosee | EFC 60
Durban, South Africa | 10 June 2017  |

1. def. Rizlen Zouak at EFC 70 on 26 May 2018

2  |  Manon Fiorot | EFC 83
Pretoria, South Africa | 14 December 2019  |
Fiorot vacated the title on 20 January 2021 after signing with the UFC.
3  |  Amanda Lino (2)
def. Mariana Salles | EFC 123
Sandton, South Africa | 8 May 2025  |

### Women's Strawweight World Championship

[edit]

Under 115 pounds (52 kg)

No.  | Name  | Event  | Date  | Defenses

|
|
|
|

1  |  Chiara Penco
def. Danella Eliasov | EFC 67
Johannesburg, South Africa | 10 March 2018  |
2  |  Karolina Wójcik | EFC 76
Pretoria, South Africa | 8 December 2018  |
Wójcik vacated the title on 8 June 2019 after signing with Venator FC.
3  |  Alice Ardelean
def. Jessica Mouneimne | EFC 101
Johannesburg, South Africa | 2 March 2023  |
Ardelean vacated the title on after signing with the UFC.

## Notable athletes and alumni

[edit]

* Garreth McLellan: Former EFC Middleweight champion[10] who was signed by the UFC in 2015.[11] He competed in 5 UFC bouts from April 2015 until March 2017.
* Ruan Potts: Former 2 times EFC Heavyweight champion[12] who was signed by the UFC in 2014[13] He competed in 3 UFC bouts from May 2014 until February 2015.
* Cyril Asker: Former EFC Heavyweight champion[14] who was signed by the UFC in 2016.[15] To date he has competed in 5 UFC bouts.
* Danny Henry: Former 2 times EFC Featherweight champion[16] who was signed by the UFC in 2017.[17] In his debut match at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio he earned a Fight of the night bonus. To date he has competed in 4 UFC bouts.
* Dalcha Lungiambula: Former EFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight champion[18] who was invited to compete in the UFC in 2019.[19] To date he has competed in 3 UFC bouts.
* Dricus du Plessis: Current UFC Middleweight champion, du Plessis is the former EFC Middleweight and Welterweight champion. Originally called up to the UFC in September 2020, he made his promotional debut against Markus Perez on 11 October 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179[20] and won via a TKO in the first round.[21] Du Plessis was scheduled to face Trevin Giles on 20 March 2021 at UFC on ESPN 21, but had to withdraw from the event after being refused entry to the US due to Covid related restrictions placed on South Africans.[22]
* Jared Vanderaa: Former EFC Heavyweight champion who was signed to the UFC in November 2020 after competing in the fourth season of Dana White's Contender Series. He was scheduled to fight Sergey Spivak at UFC 256 on 12 December 2020.[23] However, Vanderaa tested positive to Covid 19 and was therefore removed from the event.[24] The bout was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis on 20 February 2021. Vanderaa lost via TKO in the 2nd round.
* Manon Fiorot Former EFC women's Lightweight champion and winner of the EFC's second season of the reality program - The Fighter. She was signed to the UFC in December 2020 and made her debut against Victoria Leonardo at UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Magny on 20 January 2021. Fiorot won via TKO in the second round.
* Themba Gorimbo Former EFC Welterweight champion. He was signed to the UFC and made his debut in February 2023 against A.J Fletcher at UFC Vegas 69 .

## Other EFC athletes signed to the UFC

[edit]

* Don Madge. Former 2 times EFC Lightweight champion[25] who was invited to compete in the UFC in 2018.[26][27] In his debut match at UFC Fight Night 138 he earned a "Performance of the night" bonus with a knockout via a head kick. To date he has competed in 2 UFC bouts - UFC Fight Night 138 and UFC 242: Khabib vs. Poirier. Madge was scheduled to face Nasrat Haqparast at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad on 13 March 2021 but had to withdraw from the event after being refused entry to the US due to Covid related restrictions placed on South Africans.[28]
* JP Buys Former EFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion[29] who was invited to compete in UFC owner Dana White 's Tuesday Night Contender Series in August 2017[30] and again in the fourth season in November 2020. After beating his opponent in the final fight of the fourth season on 17 November 2020, Buys was signed to the UFC.[31] He made his UFC debut against Bruno Gustavo da Silva at UFC on ESPN: Brunson vs. Holland on 20 March. 2021, losing by TKO. He was 0-4 in the promotion with losses from Montel Jackson, Cody Durden, and Marcus McGhee, before being released from the promotion in October 2023.
* Nkazimulo Zulu. Former two times EFC Flyweight champion[32] and current EFC competitor who was invited in 2016 to compete in The Ultimate Fighter which was produced by the UFC and Fox Sports 1. Zulu competed on The Ultimate Fighter Season 24, Opening Round, Day 2.[33]

## Reality shows

[edit]

### The Fighter: Season 1

[edit]

EFC launched a reality TV show on 14 October 2017 called The Fighter.[34][35] Housed in a villa in Johannesburg, South Africa, 10 male MMA Middleweight prospects from around the world lived and trained together, as well as competed against one another for a multiple fight contract and a guaranteed EFC title fight. They were split into two teams each coached by an experienced EFC athlete. The Fighter was broadcast on global television in 10 one-hour episodes. It was concluded on 16 December 2017 at EFC 66 with The Fighter title bout taking place between the two finalists followed by a bout between the two coaches[36]

Season | Date | Weight class | Winner | Runner-up | Source

|
|
|
|
|

The Fighter: Season 1  | 14 October 2017  | Middleweight  | Brendan Lesar  | Ibrahima Mane  | [37]

### The Fighter: Season 2

[edit]

Following the success and positive reception to The Fighter: Season 1, EFC launched The Fighter: Season 2[38][39] on 26 April 2019. It followed the same format as Season 1 but with 10 female MMA Flyweight athletes from around the world instead. They were housed in Rosebank, South Africa, where they trained together and competed against one another in a quest to win a multiple fight contract and a guaranteed EFC title fight. As with Season 1, the competitors were split into two teams each coached by an experienced EFC athlete. Season 2 was also broadcast on global television in 10 one-hour episodes. It was concluded on 29 June 2019 at EFC 80 with The Fighter Season 2 title bout taking place between the two finalists followed by a bout between the two coaches.[40]

Season | Date | Weight class | Winner | Runner-up | Source

|
|
|
|
|

The Fighter: Season 2  | 26 April 2019  | Flyweight  | Manon Fiorot | Mellony Geugjes | [41][42]

## Subsidiary companies

[edit]

EFC owns the following companies:[citation needed]

* EFC Gym
* EFC Performance Institute

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "SABC STRIKES HISTORIC DEAL WITH EFC". MMA Fighting. 24 January 2017. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
2. ^ Strickl, Nick (14 July 2017). "Mayweather vs. McGregor: LIVE London press conference". Cage Pages. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
3. ^ "EFC - Inverleigh Broadcasting Corp". Inverleigh. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
4. ^ Sherdog.com. "Extreme Fighting Championship (Africa) Fights, Fight Cards, Videos, Pictures, Events and more". Sherdog. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
5. ^ Sibiya, Silver (26 March 2017). "Keeping it in the family". Sport.
6. ^ "EFC 01".
7. ^ "EFC Africa - Extreme Fighting Championship Africa 1". Sherdog.
8. ^ "Broadcast Schedule".
9. ^ "EFC's Pena Barred For Four Years". 11 January 2018.
10. ^ SAPA Reporter (10 November 2013). "Gareth McLellan regains the EFC Middleweight title". citizen.co.za. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
11. ^ Simon, Zane (10 December 2014). "UFC signs EFCA champ Garreth McLellan". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
12. ^ "Potts reclaims EFC title from Van Zyl". eNCA. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
13. ^ Simon, Zane (10 February 2014). "UFC signs South African MMA champ Ruan Potts". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
14. ^ Tatum, Rob. "EFC 44 'Foreign Invasion' Results: Asker, Mynhardt, Henry Leave with Belts". Combat Press. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
15. ^ Simon, Zane (9 February 2016). "UFC signs a French HW & Bosnian LW". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
16. ^ Georgiou, Andreas (12 May 2017). "EFC champ Danny Henry wants UFC for Scottish homecoming". MMA Plus. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
17. ^ "Short notice or not, Danny Henry knew when he got the UFC's call, he had to answer". MMA Junkie. 17 July 2017.
18. ^ Kihn, Stephen (11 February 2019). "'Champion' Dalcha's UFC deal details". Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
19. ^ Kihn, Stephen (8 February 2019). "'Champion' Dalcha signs with the UFC". Sport. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
20. ^ Anderson, Jay (25 September 2020). "Former KSW Champ Dricus Du Plessis Signs with UFC, Will Fight Markus Perez in Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
21. ^ Bitter, Shawn (10 October 2020). "UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Dricus Du Plessis Impresses in Debut With KO". Cageside Press. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
22. ^ "Visa issues force Dricus du Plessis out of UFC event". The South African. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
23. ^ Gonzalez, Gabriel (17 November 2020). "UFC 256's Jared Vanderaa on Post-Fight Reception Following DWCS, Sergey Spivak". Cageside Press. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
24. ^ "Jared Vanderaa tests positive for COVID-19, out of UFC 256 fight vs. Serghei Spivac". www.msn.com. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
25. ^ "Madge Bests Mazany, Wins Lightweight Title". FIGHT SPORTS. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
26. ^ "DON MADGE SIGNS WITH THE UFC". South African MMA. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
27. ^ "Don Madge signs with the UFC". eNCA. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
28. ^ "Don Madge withdraws from UFC Fight Night 187 vs. Nasrat Haqparast due to visa issues". www.msn.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
29. ^ "Buys dominates Biko, Hadley ends reign of 'Zuluboy'". Sport. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
30. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series - Season 1, Episode 7". Sherdog. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
31. ^ "Contender Series: JP Buys joins his wife on the UFC roster as one of four fighters to earn a contract". ESPN.com. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
32. ^ "Is Zulu UFC material?". ESPN.com. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
33. ^ Sherdog.com. "UFC - The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 Opening Round, Day 2". Sherdog. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
34. ^ "The Fighter announced on SABC Sport".
35. ^ "THE FIGHTER". efcworldwide.com.
36. ^ "EFC 66 - EFC Worldwide 66". Sherdog.com. 16 December 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
37. ^ "EFC Worldwide 66: The Fighter 1 Finale | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
38. ^ "The Fighter Season 2 premiers on 26 April". supersport.com.
39. ^ "THE FIGHTER". efcworldwide.com.
40. ^ "EFC 80 - EFC Worldwide 80". Sherdog.
41. ^ "EFC Worldwide 80 | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
42. ^ "Lesar Scores Major Upset At EFC 80". FIGHT SPORTS. 29 June 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.

## External links

[edit]

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