The
Middleweight division in South African MMA is stacked, to say the least. With
many of the country’s most talented and experienced fighters crammed into one
weight class, it is sure to produce some interesting matchups and plenty of
fireworks in the near future. This Middleweight ranking list has been compiled
based upon my knowledge of the fighters, their performance history as well as
recent form. Without further ado, I give you my South African Middleweight
rankings:
1.
Jeremy “The Pitbull” Smith (10–1)
Jeremy Smith has been involved in South
African MMA from its humble beginnings and has seen and done it all. The
Pitbull has competed at the highest levels in South African MMA and is one of
the few South African fighters to have enjoyed success in the United States. Jeremy
brings a wealth of experience to the Hexagon, coupled with his brutal
kickboxing and ground and pound. Currently undefeated in the EFC, Smith is
confident that he can take the EFC Africa Middleweight crown from current
title-holder Garreth McLellan in March 2012 and cement his place as MMA’s top
Middleweight in the country.
2.
Garreth “Soldierboy” McLellan (6-1)
EFC Africa’s Middleweight poster boy
and reigning champion, Garreth McLellan has been a stalwart in the promotion
right from the start. Having bested the likes of Wade Henderson and recently Jacques
Joubert to capture the title, McLellan has proved to be a complete fighter,
with no apparent weaknesses. Fighting out of the dominant Fight Fit Militia
club, McLellan will certainly be prepared to face Jeremy Smith in their
upcoming EFC Middleweight Title bout, the winner of which will no doubt lay
claim to the title of top MMA Middleweight in South Africa.
3.
Donavin “Bam Bamz” Hawkey (20-7)
A relative newcomer to the EFC
Middleweight division, Hawkey is no slouch in the cage. With 27 professional
bouts to his name, Donavin Hawkey made a name for himself in various other
local promotions as a Light Heavyweight. Widely regarded as one of the best
fighters in the country, Hawkey, who boasts exceptional stand-up pedigree, will
likely find a permanent home on this list as he begins to stretch his legs in
the hexagon.
4.
Darren “Double D” Daniel (5-1)
Darren Daniel is highly respected
amongst the MMA elite. With notable wins over some of South Africa’s top MMA
fighters, including current EFC Africa Welterweight champion Dallas Jakobi,
Daniel is surely one of the greatest fighting talents South Africa has
produced. Another Fight Fit Militia product, Daniel is ever improving as a
fighter. Although quiet of late, there are whispers of Daniel’s return to the
EFC and upon his return, is at most one win away from an EFC Africa
Middleweight title shot.
5.
Tyron “The Rush” Rightford (3-0)
A newcomer to MMA and the EFC, Rightford
has quickly risen through the Middleweight ranks, besting everyone put in front
him. The Rush’s recent demolition of MMA veteran Jacques Joubert at EFC Africa
11 earned him a position on this list and identified him as genuine contender
in the Middleweight division. With a style similar to former UFC Light
Heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, Tyron Rightford uses his explosive Karate
to simply outclass his opponents on the feet. If his, as of yet untested, ground
game is solid, Rightford could very well
be a future EFC Africa Middleweight champion.
View all: South African MMA Rankings
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