EFC Africa 14 was a great MMA event! Many fighters gave it their all and this
showed in the Hexagon. Though the
EFC 14 results are in, they do not always convey the
spirit in which the fight was fought. Here is my list of fighters who impressed
me at EFC 14
EFC 14 fighter analysis
Markus Taljaard
Markus Taljaard looked calm and collected in his fight against Wade Groth.
Though put on his back early, Taljaard was able to work well from his guard and
limit the damage take from a very aggressive Groth. In the third round, Markus
Taljaard’s composure paid off as he was able to slap on a beautiful triangle
choke and earn himself the win. Markus Taljaard earned my
surprise fighter of the night award.
Wade Groth
Though Wade Groth lost to Markus Taljaard in their EFC 14 bout, the result doesn’t
tell the full story. Groth looked explosive as he was able to take Taljaard
down multiple times and land some effective ground and pound. Both fighters
looked good on the ground and at the time of Taljaard submitting him, Groth was
very likely ahead on points.
David Buirski
In a fight that never really got going, Buirski showed patience as he kept
his distance from Mwale and landed effective leg kicks almost at will. A well timed head kick ended the fight in the first frame. David Buirski earned my
knock-out of the night award.
JP Kruger
Kruger looked clinical as he quickly dispatched of Mawande
Vapi, whom he outclassed on the ground.
Wentzel Nel
Wentzel Nel vs Denzil Wait was a definite contender for fight of the night.
The two featherweights showed off impressive ground skills in a hard fought
tussle. Nel showed great awareness and composure coupled with great technical
skill to avoid being finished on the ground and eventually earned himself a
dominant position and the TKO win.
Denzil Wait
Denzil Wait looked a different fighter from the man who stepped into the
Hexagon at
EFC Africa 12. The second half of a great technical ground battle
with Wentzel Nel, Wait had the former lightweight champion in precarious positions a number of
times, but was unable to get the finish.
Garreth McLellan
Ever the professional,
Garreth McLellan left nothing to chance as he
defeated a very dangerous
Danie van Heerden in a clinical MMA display. McLellan
got the fight to the ground and worked hard for his submission win, a win that
will likely see him enter the Hexagon opposite Jeremy Smith once more. Garreth McLellan earned my
fighter of the night award.
Bernardo Mikixi
Bernardo Mikixi weathered a heavy storm from Mahmoud Hassan before flooring his opponent and finishing him with brutal strikes. Mikixi showed he can take a punch and give as good as he gets.
Demarte Pena
In another contender for fight of the night,
Demarte Pena showed the
temperament of a champion as he managed to keep cool under Wesley Hawkey’s fire
in their featherweight title fight. Pena, was able to turn the tides on the
challenger and earn himself a submission victory late in the fourth. Humble in
victory, Pena proved he is the real deal at featherweight. Demarte Pena earned my
submission of the night award.
Wesley Hawkey
Wesley Hawkey was punished for a single mistake in what was a near perfectly
executed game plan. Hawkey, looked comfortable standing and on the ground, landing
the more effective shots. At the time of his submission, I had Wesley Hawkey
well ahead on points.
Adam Speechly
Unsurprisingly,
Adam Speechly showed the heart of a champion as he fought
back from the brink of defeat to put Costa Ioannou under real pressure.
Speechly looked more comfortable at lightweight and I hope this drop in weight
is a permanent one.
Costa Ioannou
Though I was initially disappointed with
Costa Ioannou for gassing so early
and almost throwing away a fight he had all but in the books, I could not but
be impressed with his ability to push through his fatigue and win rounds
against a very game Adam Speechly. Costa Ioannou has always had the skill set,
but tonight he proved he has the heart of a champion as well. Costa Ioannou vs Adam Speechly earned my
fight of the night award.
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