Joshua Gaillard previews the EF 88 Main Card on Saturday 14 August.
Saturday 14 August
Heavyweights are on full display this Saturday for EFC 88 taking place at the EFC Performance Institute in Johannesburg, South Africa. The feature bout for the vacant heavyweight strap sees local boy Thabani Mndebela taking on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Matunga Djikasa.
The co-main event of Juan Bezuidenhout versus Ricky Misholas takes place in the heavyweight division as well and will serve as a possible matchup for the newly crowned champion’s first title defence.
EFC 88 has more action on offer with three interesting matchups on the main card aired on SuperSport and SABC Sport from 17:00 CAT, preceded by four prelim fights streaming on efcwordlwide.tv worldwide from 15:00 CAT.
17:00 CAT
Main Card
Main Event – Thabani Mndebela vs Matunga Djikasa
The heavyweight division was left without a champion when Jared Vanderaa vacated his title to pursue his chances amongst the UFC elite. Now, Thabani “The Doctor” Mndebela faces off with central Africa’s Matunga “HHH Power” Djikasa. Both fighters are on a four-fight win streak in the EFC and are set to bring out the big guns with the heavyweight Championship on the line.
In the blue corner, the DRC’s Matunga Djikasa (4-1-0) comes into this bout with four straight professional wins, all by a finish, following his EFC 68 debut loss to Juan Bezuidenhout via an armbar. In his second EFC matchup, we saw a round one submission (guillotine choke) showing his dedication to improving all aspects of his game. HHH Power has proven just that in his last three showings in the octagon, with three successive knockouts against Kevin Koekemoer, Ivan Strydom and most recently our co-main competitor Ricky Misholas.
On the other end of the octagon, we see South Africa’s hope for a new EFC Heavyweight champion, Thabani “The Doctor” Mndebela (4-1-0) whose last fight was a unanimous decision victory over Nico Yamdjie at EFC 75 in 2018. The nickname “The Doctor” does not come out of nowhere, he is officially Dr. Mndebela and has been hard at work during the pandemic. While we appreciate all he does in his medical profession, the age-old statement ‘ring rust’ becomes prevalent. Despite being out for two years, he has still managed a great record for South African MMA and has more time inside the ring than his opponent. His debut was a loss to Ricky Misholas via submission in round three, followed by four straight wins over the likes of Nico Yamdjie via split decision, Simon Harle in EFC 64 via round two knockout and a unanimous decision to silence the nay-sayers over Nico Yamdjie.
Both fighters enjoy fighting at range and it should be a rather technical matchup on the feet. For Mndebela, leg kicks and lateral movement are a big part of his game and Djiksa will be looking to cut off the cage and land the bigger punches. On the attacking front for the Congolese fighter, Djikasa also possess a kick heavy attack and has grown into being precise in setting up those attacks alongside an improvement with his hands finding those knockouts.
Prediction
Thabani Mndebela had a good run two years ago and a comeback for the title shot is a difficult task over a fighter who has been at it and called for the belt in his victory this past June. Congo’s Djikasa has shown his growth and jumping straight back in the cage against Mndebela is the right move, and I will not be surprised if he finishes the fight inside the distance.
Co-main Event – Juan Bezuidenhout 29/20 vs Ricky Misholas 49/100
A co-main event showcasing two big hitters with a pending knockout in the making sees big time brawler Juan Bezuidenhout face the heavy-handed Ricky Misholas. Misholas is coming off the back of a knockout loss against the main event fighter Djikasa, whilst Bezuidenhout is looking to make his first back-to-back wins in his professional MMA career.
Juan “Assassin” Bezuidenhout (2-2-0) is out for revenge in the rematch in which he was defeated through a ground and pound in their first matchup. For a heavyweight, Bezuidenhout possesses a quick and accurate kicking game, but yet loves to fight in the pocket. All four of his fights have not gone the distance, including his pair of losses.
Ricky “Apocalypse” Misholas (7-9-0) is a veteran in the EFC with all 12 of his professional fights taking place under Africa’s elite promotion. Misholas is coming off the back of two devastating knockout losses and the most recent was to Djikasa, whom he had defeated before. Ricky’s last win in the promotion was over Juan Bezuidenhout and some could question his motivation for picking this fight.
Prediction
Misholas definitely has the power to knockout his opponents, but a recent KO loss is still lingering in the body. At 40 years of age, it is time for the Congolese veteran to hang those gloves up. Juan’s skillset is not in question, but his two year lay-off is an evident question. However, technique, age, and desire to make a run for the title in the prime of his fighting age is on the cards. Bezuidenhout inside the distance would be a bet I could not pass up, so back the Assassin to win the fight.
Orlando Machava 79/100 vs Roevan De Beer 92/100
Orlando “Mean Machine” Machava looks to make it a three-fight win streak when he gets into the octagon against Roevan De Beer in this bantamweight clash. Machava wants to make it three wins on the trot, while his opponent De Beer needs to get into the win column.
After a great result over Javan Buyu in EFC 87, Orlando Machava (2-3-0) will be looking for his third straight finish via submission. Orlando started his professional MMA career with three consecutive losses in the EFC and has made a significant turnaround. Expect an aggressive approach from the Mean Machine with the ever-present submission threat in his arsenal.
Roevan De Beer (3-4-0) just like his opponent, had a shaky start to his MMA career, tasting defeat on three successive showings. De Beer has since shown why the continents elite promotion signed him up with three wins but stumbled in his last outing to Sindile Manengela via round one TKO. Getting back to winning ways is vital should De Beer wish to maintain confidence and not end up down another slippery losing slope.
Prediction
In this matchup, aggression is the victor. Orlando Machava has the forward pressing fighting style that Roevan De Beer tends to fall under. Machava is also well versed in jiujitsu, so he will not hesitate to take top position and look for a ground and pound finish which De Beer faced in his last matchup and was also close to facing in his triangle submission win over Zwelibnzi Ngema. Back Machava at a close 79/100.
British Boloyoang vs Smit Steyn
A double debut header in the welterweight division on the main card is definitely one to keep your eye on. Birtish Boloyoang heads off with Smit “Malboer” Steyn in heat-seeker of the night.
British Boloyoang (1-0-0) is a finishing specialist, with four of his five amateur fight wins coming inside the distance, including his professional debut in Brace CF 31 win in dramatic knockout fashion. On the feet and on the mat, Boloyoang has sharpened his tools.
Smit “Malboer” Steyn is just as versed if not more so than his opponent when it comes to his amateur record of eight wins and three losses. Malboer is ranked second of 21 active South African middleweights and moves up a weight class for his professional MMA debut in Africa’s elite EFC.
Prediction
British Boloyoang has the advantage in height and reach and will naturally be the heavier fighter. He has already made his pro debut taking the edge off of the nerves, whereas Steyn has less experience in the cage with. British will take the win, but you can expect Malboer to keep him on his toes.
Roy Lokolo vs Francois Cundari
A bump up from the prelims after a cancelled bout sees a middleweight clash of the DRC’s Roy “Humble” Lokolo take on the Francois “The Saint” Cundari.
Roy Lokolo (1-1-0) is without much experience, but he makes up for that in heart. Always willing to push forward and find the takedown, Lokolo picked up a unanimous decision win over Khulekani Hlongwa after his difficult loss to knockout artist Mzwandile Hlongwa.
Francois “The Saint” Cundari likes to be known for his submission skills, however, has been submitted in his last three fights and is in dire need of a win. After making his debut at welterweight, he jumped to lightweight where he found himself with back-to-back wins before picking up two losses. Cundari then tried his shot at light heavyweight where he found his third successive loss. I really hope he makes weight at middleweight for this matchup.
Prediction
Lokolo is a natural middleweight and is always bound to be favourite. Yes, Cundari is desperate for a win, but I don’t see the skill on the feet and his constant rush to get a takedown puts him in bad positions. Lokolo can easily find a takedown as both fighters will look to be in close quarters and being composed in the clinch or scramble, he can look to finish the fight early.
Preliminary Card
15:00 CAT
Shannon V. Tonder 5/10 vs Trezeguet Kanyinda 14/10
A featherweight scrap between the 26-year-old newbie Shannon van Tonder against an elder in the fight game, 41-year-old Trezeguet “2pac” Kanyinda. It’s young versus old in this feature bout of the prelims.
Shannon van Tonder (1-0-0) made an excellent debut in his first-round submission win over Kabeya Amisi just a month ago and is looking to stay busy in the featherweight division. A composed fight off his back in guard with good technique and scrambling ability found him a quick win. After putting in the work through the amateur ranks with a record of 9-1-1, finishing seven of his wins, it shows he has the ability to be a good fighter in the division.
Trezeguet “2pac” Kanyinda (3-4-0) is well on in his years, but still found a victory in his last fight out with a TKO over Benjamin Mukendi. The gas tank is a definite issue for 2pac, and dropping down a weight class from his previous encounter could prove more trouble for him.
Prediction
Trezeguet walks down his opponents with hands low and chin out, and if Shannon wants to show his ability in the stand up, this is the fight to do so. A win for Shannon is a no brainer if he can stay focused and composed like he showed his last time out. For van Tonder, it is just a matter of does he finish the fight on the feet or on the ground, but a win is imminent.
Nicholas Hwende vs Themba Mkhize
Making his debut in professional MMA is Nicholas Hwende in a clash with Themba Mkhize to keep the ball rolling in the prelims. The fight takes place in the bantamweight division where most of the EFC hype is at the moment.
Nicholas Hwende is on a three-fight win streak in the amateur ranks and feels his skills are ready for professional MMA. Four wins and a solitary loss before turning professional is a decent test drive in the sport and his last three wins all took place in 2020. Hwende possesses power for a bantamweight having two knockouts to his name.
In the other corner, Themba Mkhize (3-2-0) has three fights in the EFC with two losses and a single win. His last fight was in 2019 via a round one knockout loss to Roevan De Beer. Mkhize has never had back-to-back losses in his pro MMA career, but neither has he won successive matchups.
Prediction
The debutant has the makings of a good fighter with a decent run in the amateur ranks and now taking a fight against an opponent like Themba who just isn’t cutting it in the professional scene. Picking a debut fighter to win is not easy, but I am confident in the Alpha MMA and Fightstar FC amateur promotions from which he hails. Nicholas Hwende to open his professional fight with a win to his name.
Teboho Ntete 14/10 vs Julio Plaaitjies 5/10
The opening bout of EFC 88 sees two fighters making their professional debuts. A southpaw by the name of Tebeho “M-16” Ntete locked inside the cage with an orthodox Julio “Shady” Plaaitjies. A flyweight fight that is bound to have fast hands and quick movement which will make for a fascinating watch.
Tebeho Ntete (0-0-0) has made the decision to turn pro after an underwhelming two wins and three losses in the amateur leagues. Back-to-back losses before a professional debut is not inspiring but I’d assume the matchmakers see potential in a good fight.
The opposition Julio Plaaitjies (0-0-0) boasts an impressive 11 wins and three losses in his amateur career with the most recent win coming via a rear naked choke submission. A good showing in the amateur ranks, finishing five of his 11 wins in submissions, should definitely give him the mental edge in this matchup alongside an obvious experience advantage.
Prediction
A resounding, Julio Plaaitjies for the win! The experience and edge in confidence for Shady is unquestionable. Nerves in a debut are going to be evident from both fighters, but Ntete’s last fight was in 2018, coupled with it being a loss and his susceptibility to submissions plays into the hands of Plaaitjies. Julio has everything going for him in this matchup and I am investing in this fight.
Full card predictions:
Main Card
Thabani Mndebela vs Matunga Djikasa: Matunga Djikasa
Juan Bezuidenhout vs Ricky Misholas: Juan Bezuidenhout (29/20)
Orlando Machava vs Roevan De Beer: Orlando Machava (79/100)
British Boloyoang vs Smit Steyn: British Boloyoang
Roy Lokolo vs Francois Cundari: Roy Lokolo
Prelims:
Shannon V. Tonder vs Trezeguet Kanyinda: Shannon vs Tonder
Nicholas Hwende vs Themba Mkhize: Nicholas Hwende
Teboho Ntete vs Julio Plaaitjies: Julio Plaaitjies (5/10)
