Featherweight Rankings - March 2012

Demarte Pena

EFC 12 saw some of the top featherweight fighters in action, and went a long way to cementing a previously dubious ranking order. The featherweight division also unveiled a wealth of new talent that will be eyeing out a position on this list in the near future. Here are my new featherweight rankings post EFC 12.

1. Demarte “The Wolf” Pena (3-0)

Demarte Pena recently became the youngest EFC champion in the promotions brief history. At just 21, The Wolf bested Leo Gloss in a five round unanimous decision at EFC Africa 10 in September 2011. Although fairly inexperienced, Pena has fought some big names and in addition to his win versus Gloss, holds a notable win over Jean-Luc Kazadi. With no shortage of accomplished fighters breathing down his neck, Demarte Pena will have his work cut out for him to maintain his position atop the featherweight rankings. First up is a title defence against number one contender Wesley Hawkey.

2. Wesley “The Young Assassin” Hawkey (7-2)

Wesley Hawkey is still undefeated in the EFC, with a 3-0 record. The Young Assassin was ruthless in his submission victory over Denzil Wait at EFC 12, and left no doubt as to who the number one contender for the featherweight title is. In doing so, Wesley Hawkey has earned himself a title shot against EFC Africa featherweight champion and #1 on this list, Demarte Pena.

3. Denzil “Redstarr” Wait (5-2)

Denzil Wait (1-1 EFC) will need to return to the drawing board after losing via submission to Wesley Hawkey at EFC 12. Wait, a strong grappler, did not look confident on the ground as Hawkey attempted submission after submission, almost finishing Wait on a couple of occasions. Eventually Hawkey managed to sink in a deep armbar which forced the tap and left Wait looking rather uncomfortable.

4. Leo “King” Gloss (8-3)

Leo Gloss has been a staple on EFC fight cards for the past few years. The King has fought some of the promotions top fighters and already been involved in two title fights in two different divisions. Having recently lost to Demarte Pena in this promotions first featherweight title fight, Gloss will look to get back to work doing what he does best, knocking people out.

5. Jean-Luc “The Hitman” Kazadi (4-3)

Jean-Luc Kazadi has had his stats skewed of late by successive losses to Demarte Pena in a close majority decision loss and Wesley Hawkey in a first round submission. The Hitman however has looked impressive in the hexagon and will be a continue to be a tough fight for any man in the featherweight division.

View all: South African MMA Rankings

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South African MMA Featherweight rankings

A recent addition to the South African MMA roster, the featherweight division has grown in popularity, largely due to the nature of the fights, which are often technically brilliant. While most of these fighters have fought in other divisions, they have found a home in the featherweight division, where they now ply their fighting trade. Here are my top 5 South African featherweights:

1. Demarte “The Wolf” Pena (3-0)

Demarte Pena recently became the youngest EFC champion in the promotions brief history. At just 21, The Wolf bested Leo Gloss in a five round unanimous decision at EFC Africa 10 in September 2011. Although fairly inexperienced, Pena has fought some big names and in addition to his win versus Gloss, holds a notable win over Jean-Luc Kazadi. With no shortage of accomplished fighters breathing down his neck, Demarte Pena will have his work cut out for him to maintain his position atop the featherweight rankings.

2. Wesley “The Young Assassin” Hawkey (6-2)

Wesley Hawkey is currently undefeated in the EFC, with a 2-0 record. The Young Assassin made short work of both Jean-Luc Kazadi and Victor Anyaogu en route to a number one contender matchup with Denzil Wait at EFC 12, the winner of which will almost certainly get a crack at Demarte Pena for the EFC featherweight title and #1 spot on this list.

3. Denzil “Redstarr” Wait (5-1)

Denzil Wait, already well respected in the MMA community, made quite a statement in his EFC debut in November last year when he steamrolled a very dangerous Abdul Hassan. Wait will now face off with Wesley Hawkey at EFC 12 to determine the number one contender in the featherweight division and hope to pave a path to a featherweight title shot.

4. Leo “King” Gloss (8-3)

Leo Gloss has been a staple on EFC fight cards for the past few years. The King has fought some of the promotions top fighters and already been involved in two title fights in two different divisions. In 2010, Gloss lost his lightweight title fight against Wentzel Nel (#4 SA MMA Lightweight Rankings) and in 2011 lost to Demarte Pena in this promotions first featherweight title fight, Gloss will look to get back to work doing what he does best, knocking people out.

5. Jean-Luc “The Hitman” Kazadi (4-3)

Jean-Luc Kazadi has had his stats skewed of late by successive losses, one to Demarte Pena in a close Majority decision loss at EFC 8 and the other against Wesley Hawkey in a first round submission at EFC Africa 10. The Hitman however has looked impressive in the hexagon and will be a continue to be a tough fight for any man in the featherweight division.

To view rankings from all weight divisions visit my MMA South African Rankings page

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Gloss, Pena - a glimpse into the past

With EFC 10 looming and predictions on the featherweight title bout made, let’s take some time to appreciate the fighters doing what they do best. At EFC 08 Demarte Pena won a decision vs featherweight talent Jean-Luc Kazadi, while Gloss outpointed Charlie Weyer en route his title shot. EFC Africa have released both fights via there Youtube channel.

EFC 08 – Demarte Pena vs Jean-Luc Kazadi full fight video

EFC 09 – Leo Gloss vs Charlie Weyer full fight video

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