Demarte Pena vs Wentzel Nel EFC 16 featherweight title fight

Its official, EFC Africa 16 will host three title fights! A featherweight title fight between reigning champion Demarte Pena and former lightweight champion Wentzel Nel. The event is scheduled for 19 October 2012 at Carnival City.

Demarte "The Wolf" Pena

Demarte Pena defeated a very dangerous Wesley Hawkey at EFC 14 to defend his EFC featherweight title and firmly place himself at the top of the EFC's featherweight division. In his short professional career, The Wolf (4-0), has already been involved in his fair share of wars in the Hexagon and his EFC 16 tussle may prove to be no different.

Demarte Pena

Wentzel "The Animal" Nel

Wentzel Nel (10-3) has proved his worth time and time again. The former lightweight champion earned a title shot by finishing ranked featherweight Denzil Wait at EFC 14 to cap an impressive three fight win streak. The Animal will know now have the chance to become the first EFC champion in two different divisions when he faces Pena at EFC 16.

Wentzel Nel

Demarte Pena vs Wentzel Nel at EFC 16

Demarte Pena and Wentzel Nel are both accomplished fighters who have fought the very best that EFC Africa has to offer. Both fighters are also on great winning streaks and have taste EFC gold. Pena vs Nel pits the old school champion against his young counterpart and will be a great fight for the South African MMA fans.

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Demarte Pena retains his EFC Africa featherweight title at EFC 14

Demarte Pena showed great composure and awareness in his EFC Africa 14 featherweight title defence against  Wesley Hawkey. Though behind on points on my scorecard, Pena managed to sink a late fourth round rear-naked choke to force a tap from Hawkey and maintain his EFC title. A relieved young champion was humble in victory and thanked Wesley Hawkey for such a great fight.

Demarte Pena vs Wesley Hawkey fight breakdown

Wesley Hawkey was not as nearly as aggressive as many had expected him to be, and this lead to a much more methodical and calculated battle. Though Pena landed some effective leg kicks and take downs in the early rounds, Hawkey was more effective on the ground landing some nice ground and pound from the top and attempting submissions from the bottom. Nothing fight changing was landed early on and both fighters looked fresh in the latter rounds.

Rounds three and four saw Hawkey begin to open up a little more with his hands as Pena's leg kicks slowed down. Hawkey still remained cautious though, in all likelihood trying to nullify Pena's dangerous double leg take down.

A late flurry from Hawkey in the fourth round saw Demarte Pena back up and look in trouble. As Hawkey pressed forward, Pena was able to land another take down. A ground battle ensued and Pena eventually managed to get top position. With less than 20 seconds on the clock, Hawkey made a costly mistake as he tried to escape from the bottom position. Demarte Pena was quick to latch onto this opportunity and rolled with Hawkey, got his hooks in and sunk in a deep rear-naked choke. Wesley Hawkey would be forced to tap with less than 5 seconds on the clock in the fourth round.

Demarte Pena, now 4-0, became the first EFC Africa featherweight champion to defend his belt.

Full EFC fight results

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Demarte Pena vs Wesley Hawkey EFC 14 Promo Video

Reigning EFC Africa featherweight champion Demarte Pena will defend his title against dangerous challenger Wesley Hawkey at EFC 14 on 1 June. This week the EFC released the final promo video for this highly anticipated fight featherweight fight.

Demarte Pena vs Wesley Hawkey EFC 14 Promo Video

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Demarte Pena vs Wesley Hawkey EFC 14 featherweight title fight preview

EFC Africa 14, which takes place at Carnival City on 1 June 2012, will be co-headlined by a much anticipated featherweight title fight. Undefeated featherweight champion Demarte Pena will put his EFC title on the line against rampant challenger Wesley Hawkey to determine who is the best featherweight MMA fighter in Africa.

Demarte Pena (3-0)

Demarte Pena (#1 Featherweight rankings) has experienced some wars in the EFC Hexagon. The featherweight fighter has gone the distance in his last two fights against Jean-Luc Kazadi and Leo Gloss, one of which was a five round title fight. Pena, who is still only 22 years old has shown much composure in the cage and executed effective game plans to nullify his opponents and grind out wins. On paper, Hawkey is certainly Pena’s toughest test to date.

Demarte Pena road to EFC Africa 14

Opponent	Result	Method	Event
Mawande Mazithambe	Win	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	EFC Africa 7
Jean-Luc Kazadi	Win	Decision (Majority)	EFC Africa 8
Leo Gloss	Win	Decision (Unanimous)	EFC Africa 10

Wesley Hawkey (7-2)

Wesley Hawkey  (#2 Featherweight rankings) has been destructive in his short EFC career. The Young Assassin has torn through his first three opponents and has yet to see the third minute in any of his fights. At EFC Africa 12, Wesley Hawkey defeated Denzil Wait in convincing fashion to become the number one contender in the featherweight division. Now, months later, Hawkey will get his shot at Demarte Pena for the featherweight title.

Wesley Hawkey road to EFC Africa 14

Opponent	Result	Method	Event
Jean-Luc Kazadi	Win	Submission (Guillotine Choke)	EFC Africa 10
Victor Anyaogu	Win	TKO (Punches)	EFC Africa 11
Denzil Wait	Win	Submission (Armbar)	EFC Africa 12

Demarte Pena and Wesley Hawkey - Fighter Comparison

This is a classic case of an aggressive fighter taking on a defensive fighter. Hawkey has ample ways of finishing a fight, whilst Pena executes his game plans well and avoids making mistakes. The longer this fight goes on, the more it favours Demarte Pena's style.

Stand-up advantage

While Demarte Pena has not been outclassed standing by high level boxers Kazadi and Gloss, his striking has been more of a means to an end and has yet to seriously threaten an opponent. Wesley Hawkey on the other hand has a boxing background which has stood him in good stead on the feet. Hawkey also has proven that he has knock-out power, which is a concern for all his opponents. I believe the stand-up will favour the much more aggressive Hawkey.

Ground advantage

If there is a strength in Demarte Pena’s game, it is the ability to get opponents to the ground and keep them there. Pena’s top ground game, while cautious and deliberate, is effective and earns him rounds and titles. Hawkey on the other hand has a less methodical and more explosive approach, but  has also proven himself a dangerous ground fighter, submitting 4 of his previous opponents. If this fight goes to the ground, we are likely to see Pena on top of Hawkey, putting both men in their element and making for an interesting chess match. 

Physical advantage

Demarte Pena and Wesley Hawkey are both extremely strong fighters in great physical shape. Pena did gas in his fight against Kazadi, but showed improved cardio against Leo Gloss where he went five rounds. Hawkey has yet to be tested cardiovascularly in his recent fights, having never left the first round, so it will be interesting to see how he fairs should the fight be drawn out. Physically I believe neither fighter will own a significant advantage.

Mental advantage

For such a young man, Demarte Pena has been tested thoroughly. The featherweight champion has spent over 40 minutes in the EFC Hexagon, compared to Hawkey’s 5 minutes. Pena has also fought an EFC title fight, experience which will be hugely beneficial, and trains at the Fightfit Militia camp, home to many current and former EFC champions. Pena in my mind will be the more mentally prepared fighter,  even though Hawkey has more fights, and has fought for a Fight Force title..

Demarte Pena  – Keys to victory

Demarte Pena should look to execute a game plan which will nullify Hawkey and slowly wear him down. This will likely create opportunities in the latter rounds to finish, but certainly earn him a decision victory.

• Utilise leg kicks in the stand-up to wear Hawkey down
• Use strikes to set up take downs
• Be methodical on the ground. Work for dominant position, wear Hawkey out and work effective ground and pound.
• Be wary of submissions

Wesley Hawkey – Keys to victory

With an impressive stoppage arsenal, Hawkey should look to be aggressive in the stand-up and on the ground and look for the finish.

• Avoid take-downs - keep the fight standing
• Use effective striking to take control of the fight
• Maintain an aggressive attitude – look to finish

Demarte Pena vs Wesley Hawkey – EFC 14 fight prediction

Wesley Hawkey will come out aggressive, of that you can be certain. The Durbanite will favour his striking and want to put Demarte Pena under pressure from the get go. Pena will be more patient, looking to counter strike and settle himself into his routine.

I believe Hawkey will get the better of the early exchanges, forcing Pena to look for the take-down. Hawkey will want to keep the fight on the feet, and this battle will be crucial to the outcome of the fight. After working hard, I foresee Pena being able to complete a takedown and maintain a dominant position for the rest of the round, but not without a few hair-raising moments, as Wesley Hawkey works for submissions off his back.

Round two will see the same script unfold, as the two featherweight fighters look to fight in their favoured realm. I believe that Hawkey will be able to do some damage to Pena on the feet, before another take down is completed, and the fight is once more taken to the ground. Round two however will play out rather differently, and I predict that Hawkey will be able to submit the champion via Guillotine choke to make Wesley Hakey the new EFC Africa featherweight champion.

Wesley Hawkey vs Demarte Pena EFC Africa 14 promo vídeo

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Wesley Hawkey vs Demarte Pena EFC 14 promo video

The Extreme Fighting Championship released a promo video for the upcoming EFC Africa 14 featherweight title fight between Demarte Pena and Wesley Hawkey. Though only 34 seconds long, the video delivers a strong message, both men are confident and ready to get into the Hexagon.

Wesley Hawkey vs Demarte Pena EFC 14 promo video

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Demarte Pena vs Wesley Hawkey EFC 14

EFC Africa 14 will host two MMA title fights. The co-main event will feature a much anticipated featherweight title fight between reigning featherweight champion Demarte "The Wolf" Pena and hungry challenger Wesley "The Young Assassin" Hawkey.

Demarte "The Wolf" Pena

Reigning EFC Africa featherweight champion Demarte Pena (3-0) is undefeated as a professional MMA athlete. The Wolf bested Mawande Mazithambe and Jean-Luc Kazadi en route a featherweight title shot against Leo Gloss last year. After a five round war, Demarte Pena was crowned the first EFC featherweight champion. Pena will defend his title for the first time at EFC 14, against the very dangerous Wesley Hawkey. 

Demarte Pena

Wesley "The Young Assassin" Hawkey

Wesley Hawkey (7-2, 3-0 EFC) has had a dream run in the EFC, finishing all three of his opponents in under two minutes. The Young Assassin finished Victor Anyaogu via TKO and submitted both Jean-Luc Kazadi and Denzil Wait. This run of form earned Hawkey the number one contender spot and a title shot against Demarte Pena at EFC 14. Hawkey will now have the chance to make good on his promise and take the featherweight title home to Durban. 

Wesley Hawkey

Demarte Pena vs Wesley Hawkey at EFC Africa 14

Stylistically Pena vs Hawkey is a brilliant match-up between two very different fighters, and will surely deliver a technical yet entertaining fight. Both Demarte Pena and Wesley Hawkey will face their toughest challenges in the EFC Hexagon, as despite the dangerous fighter opposite them, they will each have to battle the added pressure of a title fight. Pena does have the advantage of having done it all before, but this time he comes in as the champion, which adds a whole new element. 

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Jose Aldo - UFC Featherweight Champion

Jose "Scarface" Aldo is another UFC champion courtesy of the WEC merger. The young Brazilian had already defended his lightweight crown twice in the WEC, and has added three UFC title defences to the tally. A vicious striker, Aldo is regarded by many as one of the top pound for pound MMA fighters in the world.

Jose Aldo UFC title fights

Fighter	UFC Stats	Rating	Bonuses	Score
Mark Hominick	1-0	2.262	Title	2.761
Kenny Florian	9-3	2.224	Title, Streak(1)	2.791
Chad Mendez	2-0	2.833	KO, Title, Streak(2)	3.762
Total	12-3	7.319		9.316
Average	80%	2.440		3.105

Jose Aldo UFC title summary

• Jose Aldo is undefeated in the UFC.
• Jose Aldo is currently on a 3 fight winning streak in UFC Championship bouts.
• Jose Aldo’s title opponents had a 80% UFC win ratio prior to challenging him.
• Jose Aldo has fought the second highest rated opponent in Chad Mendez
• Jose Aldo has the third most UFC title defences – 3 (Tied with Jon Jones)

My Statistical Analysis of UFC Champions

1: Who is the most dominant UFC Champion? - introduction
2: Dominick Cruz

3: Jose Aldo

4: Benson Henderson

5: Georges St-Pierre

6: Anderson Silva

7: Jon Jones

8: Junior dos Santos

9: Fighter comparisons

10: Most dominant UFC Champion - conclusion

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Leo Gloss vs Demarte Pena fight preview EFC 10

With EFC 10 drawing ever closer, the questions pertaining to the headline fights and fighters begin to be raised with increasing frequency. Such is the atmosphere surrounding title fights... it is what makes the great. The very nature of a title fight is conducive to questions as they inevitably have two proven athletes who step into the cage with momentum stacked in their favour. This title fight is no different, as the fighters have lost but two fights in their combined professional MMA careers and collectively boast a 6 fight winning streak.

King Leo Gloss

To say Gloss in an experienced fighter is an extraordinary understatement. Not only has the King got a lifetime of amateur boxing behind his name, but has rattled up an impressive MMA record (8-2) since his debut in 2009. He has almost fought in almost every EFC Africa event and is a name synonymous with the production.

Leo Gloss’ boxing pedigree has made him a formidable foe in the hexagon whilst the fight remains standing, but a big question mark has loomed over the Edenvale native when taken to the ground. His hard work in this discipline became evident in his latest battle with Charlie Weyer, where, not only did Gloss look solid defensively, he also landed shots from the bottom characteristic of a fighter confident on his back. Gloss has shown a remarkable grasp for the sport and continues to improve with each appearance inside the cage.

Demarte Pena

A relative newcomer to the world of professional MMA, at 21 years of age and with but two professional fights under his belt, Demarte Pena brings an element of the unknown to September’s title fight. Pena’s last fight against Jean-Luc Kazadi elevated his status in the division, as he outpointed the highly regarded featherweight and proved comfortable both on his feet and on the ground.

Prediction

Both fighters have a solid skill set and fantastic conditioning. This fight has all the makings of a long, gruelling war. I believe the fight will come down to who handles the pressure better on the night. History has shown that experience counts when it comes to big fights and I must put my check-mark next to the veteran King Leo Gloss to take the victory via TKO in the fourth.

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