Van Zyl Outpoints Potts for EFC Africa Heavyweight Title

Fight Network Staff / March 6, 2013 - 11:19am

Johannesburg, South Africa - EFC AFRICA 18, the biggest MMA event on the African continent and the first of 2013, will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest event held yet. Fight after fight delivered, often leaving the crowd in attendance on their feet, or sitting in stunned silence.

It was an evening of multiple firsts: An unheard of four fighters withdrew from the prelim card in the final week (Hector Britts, Alex Cheboub, Raymond Ahana, Kelvin Mwale) to be replaced by four willing others (Peter Nyide, Johan van Staden, Tumelo Maphutha, David van Schalkwyk). Two brothers appeared on the main card for the first time (David and Gareth Buirski), a new KO record was achieved with the seven second KO of Chris Du Pont by Tumelo Maphutha, the first ever bantamweight fight was held under the EFC AFRICA banner, and for the first time ever a fight ended in a draw.

Sors Grobbelaar and Ricky Misholas delivered a spectacular display of striking power and raw courage with a three round, blood spattered war that left both warriors swaying on their feet. Initially it seemed that Misholas' grunt and accuracy would be too much for the kickboxer from George, reducing his face to a bloody mess within the first round, but Grobbelaar didn't quit and three rounds later, despite the boo's of the crowd, was awarded the win by the judges. Technically Grobbelaar did enough to take it, but Misholas held real menace all the way to the final bell.

It was an evening of surprises with fights seeming to hold FOTN potential ending quickly. Young gun JP Kruger submitted veteran Donavin Hawkey 1:36 into the first round, while the much hyped David Buirski against Tyron Rightford finished just as quickly - Rightford flooring Buirski with a huge right hook 1:47 into the fight.

The pinnacle of the evening, the heavyweight title bout between champion Ruan 'Fangzz' Pots and challenger Andrew 'One Gear' van Zyl, perfectly embodied the heightened spirit of the whole event. In a jaw-dropping display of skill, commitment and unrelenting grit these two heavyweights went the full 25 minutes and left absolutely nothing of themselves unused by the end of it. Initially it seemed a replay of past challenges - Potts dominating with too much skill and strength for any challenger, but van Zyl survived the onslaught and slowly began to dominate. In a four round grind, punctuated by dazzling head kicks from Potts, a near limb-snapping armbar by van Zyl and superb grappling it was van Zyl that earned a clear unanimous decision.

KO of the night went to Tumelo Maphutha with his seven second KO of newcomer Chris Du Pont, a new EFC AFRICA record. Frederich Naumann was awarded Submission of the Night when he defeated newcomer Peter Nyide in the first round with a slick triangle. FOTN was, fittingly, awarded to the heavyweights Potts and van Zyl.

EFC AFRICA 18 full results:

Charlie Weyer defeated Donnovan Wilken via split decision

Frederich Naumann defeated Peter Nyide via submission (triangle) 2:06 into round 1.

Tumelo Maphutha defeated Chris Du Pont by TKO (punches) 7 seconds into round 1, a new EFC AFRICA record.

Juan Lubbe defeated David van Schalkwyk by TKO (GnP) 4:27 in round 1.

Wilhelm Strauss defeated Christophe Walravens by TKO (strikes) 0:53 in round 1.

Gideon Drotschie defeated Brendon Groenewald by TKO (GnP) 2:46 into round 3.
Sors Grobbelaar defeated Ricky Misholas by split decision.

Dallas Jakobi and Johan van Staden fought to a split draw, the first in EFC AFRICA history.

Danie van Heerden defeated Jason Culverwell via submission (RNC) 3:31 into round 1.

JP Kruger defeated Donavin Hawkey via submission (armbar) 1:36 into round 1.

Tyron Rightford defeated David Buirski by KO (punch) 1:47 into round 1.

Abdul Hassan defeated Gareth Buirski by majority decision.

Andrew van Zyl defeated Ruan Potts by unanimous decision.

EFC AFRICA 18 was presented by MusclePharm, BetXchange, RDG, Nemiroff Vodka, Everlast, Fighters Only magazine and Carnival City Casino.

EFC AFRICA returns to Carnival City on 19 April 2013 for EFC AFRICA 19. Tickets on sale at Computicket www.computicket.com and tickets for the live broadcast to Nu Metro Cinemas available soon at www.numetro.com

Broadcast information and full fight card available at efcafrica.com