The MMA year started with a bang when EFC Africa middleweight
champion Garreth “Soldierboy” McLellan and decorated challenger Jeremy “Pitbull” Smith squared off for the middleweight title in a fight which was billed as the
biggest fight ever on African soil. The fight didn't disappoint.
Both fighters came into the fight after a long training camp
and looked well prepared, fit and strong. What ensued after the bell rang, was
a tactical battle which seesawed in favour of each of the fighters in turn. The
game plans were spot on and neither fighter seemed to gas – a sign of an ever
increasing professionalism within the South African sphere of the sport. Lasting
almost four rounds the fight showcased some of the best skills that South
African MMA has to offer and set the stage for a great MMA year.
Jeremy Smith eventually won the fight via Guillotine choke
in the fourth round to become the new EFC Africa middleweight champion.
In
search of a rematch McLellan went on a rampage which set the middleweight division
alight.
For all of these reasons – Garreth McLellan vs Jeremy Smith
is my 2012 fight of the year.
Fight of the year - Notable mentions
Don Madge vs Leon Mynhardt
The lightweight clash between striking legends Don Madge and
Leon Mynhardt at EFC 13 was a brutal striking masterclass. Madge started strong
and almost finished the fight in the first frame, but Mynhardt rallied in the
second and took the fight to the Muay Thai standout. Although the two warriors
delivered a spectacular show, the fight was shrouded in controversy after a
rather anticlimactic finish in the third round which saw Mynhardt the victor
and Madge somewhat confused and disappointed.
Fight video: Leon Mynhardt vs Don Madge at EFC 13
Costa Ioannou vs Adam Speechly
The lightweight title fight between EFC titans Costa Ioannou
and Adam Speechly at EFC 14 was always going to be a grappling extravaganza. Speechly
weathered a strong start by the champion and turned the tides on a exhausted Ioannou
in the middle rounds. Ioannou however dug deep and eventually managed to eke out
a unanimous decision victory after a five round grappling war.
To see all award winners, visit my 2012 MMASA Awards page
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