EFC 59: Du Plessis show his class in title defense at the expense of Brazilian challenger
Welterweight champion Dricus du Plessis underlined his class in the welterweight division with his first successful title defence at the expense of Brazilian challenger José da Rocha at Carnival City on Saturday, May 13.
The win meant that the welterweight gold remained on South African shores in an otherwise disappointing match where da Rocha offered the 23-year-old champion little resistance at EFC’s 59th show.
The champion made quick work of the South American with his usual blistering style by taking him to the ground before nailing him with a brutal combination of ground and pound to end the one-sided bout in round one.
Next on Du Plessis’ radar is middleweight champion Yannick Bahati, whom he has been repeatedly calling out in a bid to hold two EFC titles before the end of this year.
Preceding the main event was the hugely hyped clash between England’s Joe ‘Silk’ Cummins and South Africa’s Shaun de Lange.
As often happens with fights trailing big fire in their build-up, the actual event flattered to only deceive.
Cummins took De Lange down almost immediately, then set about sapping his will with stifling top control before finally sinking a rear naked choke to end it in the first round.
Cummins has since thrown his hat into a bout with outspoken Dino Bagattin.
Alain Ilunga reminded MMA fans of his brutality with a series of rib-crunching kicks to Barend ‘BB Gun’ Nienaber. The former was always going to be a huge step up for the Boksburg fighter and so it proved as a frightening back kick put his lights out in round two.
Since his transition to the Fight Fit Militia, Ilunga has been building a trail of skilful victories, pushing him to the upper region of the lightweight ranks.
France international Phillipe Roche made a helluva debut in EFC as his bout with François Groenewald turned expectations on their head by delivering a riveting three-round war, a seamless blend of standing-and-ground fighting that had the crowd mesmerised.
Groenewald is renowned as a submission specialist but was ultimately undone by the massive heart and slick ground game of the Frenchman, who forced him to tap to a triangle choke that left his elbow dislocated.
Roche praised his opponent after the match, calling the fight “the toughest of his life”. The fight was later awarded Fight of the Night.
South Africa’s commonwealth wrestler Pierre Botha made good on his promise to pressure Welsh boxer Azi Thomas with powerful take-downs and top control.
To his dismay, however, Thomas responded with intelligent ground defence, keeping the wrestler on his guard, allowing a classic combat exhibition to develop over three rounds.
An illegal knee to the face of a grounded Thomas cost Botha a point in the second round, ultimately leading to a majority draw decision. The scrap was hard and even, leaving the crowd satisfied with the result.
Performance bonuses were awarded to Rob Simbowe, Ricky Misholas and Ilunga.
EFC 59 full results:
Nerick Simoes defeated Trezegeut Kanyinda via submission (rear naked choke) 2:17 in round 1.
Nico Yamdjie defeated Mpatha Mikixi via submission (rear naked choke) 3:11 in round 1.
Guy Mongambi defeated TC Khusu via split decision.
Conrad Seabi defeated Kaleka Kabanda via split decision.
Robert Simbowe defeated Anicet Kanyeba via knockout (punch) 1:57 in round 1.
Ricky Misholas defeated Thabani Mndebela via submission (north-south choke) 4:26 in round 3.
Alain Ilunga defeated Barend Nienaber via KO (kick) 2:52 in round 2.
Azi Thomas and Pierre Botha ended in a majority draw.
Phillipe Rouch defeated Francois Groenewald via submission (triangle choke) 2:46 in round 3.
Joe Cummins defeated Shaun de Lange via submission (rear naked choke) 2:57 in round 1.
Dricus du Plessis defeated Jose Da Rocha via TKO (punches) 3:58 in round 1. – @SabeloBoksburg
