With
EFC Africa 13 less than a week away, I have taken the time to
put my official
EFC 13 fight predictions down on paper. As is customary with predicting fights, this
was no easy task. There are many close fights and many new fighters and I was often
left in two minds as to who I thought would win. Still, like a true warrior I
have managed to overcome said obstacles. Here are my EFC 13 predictions:
Dallas Jakobi vs Jadyson Costa (Welterweight title fight)
Dallas Jakobi will come out the aggressor and want to play
to his strengths and keep the fight standing. Jadyson Costa will exchange with
the champion, but always look for an opportunity to take the fight to ground.
Short of a big Jakobi bomb landing, the fight will eventually go to ground and
here is where it gets real. Jakobi has shown brutal ground and pound and will
look to work the top position en route a TKO stoppage. Costa however, is just
that much sharper off his back than Jakobi’s previous opponents, opponents who
have put the champ in precarious situations. I believe
Jadyson Costa will sneak
in a triangle choke in the closing moments of the first frame to become the new
EFC Africa Welterweight champion.
Bernardo Mikixi vs Calven Robinson (Heavyweight)
Bernardo Mikixi and Calven Robinson are huge, powerful
athletes and both possess knock out power. This fight could go either way, but
I predict a fair amount of time will be spent in the clinch where Robinson will be the more effective fighter.
I have Robinson by TKO in the first.
Don Madge vs Leon Mynhardt (Lightweight)
Both Mynhardt and Madge will fancy their chances standing
and this promises to be a striking match out of the top drawer. It is possible
that either fighter adopts a tactical
ground-based game plan to counter the other, but somehow the likelihood of this
fight going to the ground seems slim and the chances of it finishing there even
slimmer. I predict an action packed fight, with both fighters landing some
power shots. It really could go either way, but I think Don Madge will use his
height and reach to take the fight away from Leon Mynhardt in the second round
en route a TKO victory.
Martin van Staden vs Michiel Opperman (Welterweight)
Michiel Opperman is not the most aggressive striker, which
plays into Martin van Staden’s hands, as given time he is an expert at
identifying and exploiting weaknesses. As the fight progresses, I believe van Staden will begin to dictate
the pace and look to take it to the mat. A lot will depend on Opperman’s
ability to land counter strikes while defending the take down. I believe Van
Staden will have a tough time getting him down, but will eventually succeed in
the second round, secure his position and end the fight via ground and pound
TKO.
Dino Bagattin vs Francois Kabulu (Welterweight)
There is no doubt in my mind that this fight will take place
predominantly on the feet. Francois Kabulu will likely push forward and throw
his trademark bombs, while Bagattin will look to find his range and counter his
somewhat wilder opponent. Such a bout could end with a single punch, but I
believe Bagattin will keep his composure, use good movement and pick his shots
to simply outbox Kabulu. After landing several shots throughout the fight, I
believe Dino Bagattin with floor Kabulu in the second round to earn a TKO
victory.
Norman Wessels vs Dain Neveling (Light Heavyweight)
I must admit, I have not seen Dain Neveling fight, but from
what I have read he has a solid ground game and knockout power – a deadly
combination. Wessels however, is a master tactician with an all round MMA game
and a wealth of experience in the EFC Hexagon. I believe Norman Wessels will
come into the fight well prepared, likely take the fight to the ground and end
it in the first round.
Wade Henderson vs James Le Roux (Middleweight)
Wade Henderson has been extremely active against high level
opposition of late. This will give him a huge advantage against Le Roux, who
has not fought in the EFC since 2010.
Henderson will dictate this fight from the onset and win via TKO in the
first round.
Ricky Misholas vs Mahmoud Hassn (Heavyweight)
This will likely be a heavyweight slugfest. Mahmoud Hassn is
a very dangerous professional boxer, but
Misholas will fancy his stand-up skills after his knockout victory at
EFC 12. I think Hassn will be crisper and finish Misholas via first round KO.
Abdul Hassan vs Leo Gloss (Featherweight)
Hassan and Gloss are two of the most experienced
featherweights in the EFC. Both men are coming off losses and will want to
return to their winning ways. I believe Gloss will be the stronger fighting on
his feet, and with his improving take down defence and ground skills, will be
able to eke out a unanimous decision victory.
Mahmoud Salama vs Jason Culverwell (Light Heavyweight)
I don’t know either of these fighters, but off records
alone, I have to bet on Mahmoud Salama to take the win. As debutants I imagine
they will start slowly and we will likely see the second round. I predict
Salama will use his kickboxing and MMA experience to earn himself a TKO stoppage in the second round.
Johan van Staden vs Alain Ilunga (Lightweight)
Johan van Staden should defeat the debutante Ilunga without
too many problems. Van Staden, who recently moved to the FightFit Militia camp,
looks in great shape and has a wealth of experience. I believe he will win via
first round submission.
Armand De Bruyn vs Abrie Valentine (Middleweight)
Armand De Bruyn has not seen the second round in the EFC
Hexagon, I don’t believe things will change at EFC 13. I believe De Bruyn will
dictate the fight and defeat Valentine via first round TKO.
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