Nienaber eyes EFC featherweight title shot
Scotland international Daniel Henry stands in the way of local MMA fighter Barend Nienaber getting another shot at the EFC featherweight title.
The two face-off at EFC 51 at Carnival City on July 15 in a number one contender’s match for a chance to face champion Igeu Kabesa (6-0-0).
Nienaber (27), who’s yet to win EFC gold, has been recently talking up his chances, and backing them up, at finally championing the featherweight division ahead of EFC 47 where he and his aforementioned rivals were all in action on the same night.
On the night, Kabesa (22) got the better of the 27-year-old Henry for the title in the main event.
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It was on the same night where Nienaber made himself hard to ignore and further strengthened his case of challenging for gold with a clinical win over Tumisang ‘The President’ Madiba.
That win was preceded by a victory over Pierre Botha at EFC 46.
Asked about Kabesa, whom he’s lost to before, during the post-event press conference at EFC 47, the charismatic Nienaber responded: “I just want to say, first of all, well done to Igeu; he’s keeping the belt warm for me.
“Our first fight was at lightweight – he’s come down to my weight, which is featherweight – I’m gonna to take that belt from him – there’s no other way.”
Quizzed on the collision with Henry, the Boksburg fighter (4-2-0) said: “I’m definitely not looking past this fight to what will be next. First step is to win this fight and I’m going to make a statement.”
His title loss to Boyd Allen aside, his clash against the dangerous-looking Henry (7-2-0) is Nienaber’s biggest fight to date and it certainly won’t be an easy one.
It only gets better for the neutrals though, as the featherweight division heats up. – @SabeloBoksburg
