EFC 72 results and controversial main event
When Dave Mazany and Martin Van Staden lined up for the judges’ decision, the result was absolutely unknown after an even battle in which both men left their hearts on the canvas.
The EFC lightweight championship changed hands in a spectacular five-round war at EFC 72 on Saturday night, when former champion Dave Mazany (17-6) (USA) successfully mounted a re-challenge for the title, defeating Martin Van Staden (26-11) (SA) in his first title defense.
Their bout was controversial, and the epitome of hard-fought, intelligent MMA. Van Staden always possessed the striking advantage, with an incredible 16 knockouts to his name, while Mazany was always tipped as the superior wrestler. The fight played out in precisely that way, fought on a knife edge.
Mazany immediately opened with a clinch against the fence, an eventual takedown, and limited ground control. Van Staden responded with an eventual stand-up, and strikes from outside that alternately grazed the challenger, or sent him wobbling.
Neither man could complete his style of onslaught, and each made small inroads into the other. As the rounds progressed, Van Staden gained the odd small victory in the clinch, and Mazany scored strikes of his own from time to time. And so it continued, the only defining feature Van Staden being docked a point for fence holding.
The battle was savage and tension-filled from start to finish. When the two men lined up for the judges’ decision, the result was absolutely unknown, an even battle in which both men left their hearts on the canvas.
The ruling was delivered 49-45 Mazany, 46-48 Van Staden, and 49-45 Mazany, unleashing a torrent of boos. The bout was extraordinarily close, and ultimately Mazany was given the nod through superior control, but the split decision fanned the controversy.
At the post-fight press conference Van Staden was understandably upset, and EFC President Cairo Howarth confirmed the intention to book a rematch as soon as possible.
Fight of the night went to Gideon Drotschie defeated Jenaid Ebank. Performance bonuses were awarded to Justin Smith, Giovanni Pretorius, Faeez Jacobs and Hermie Drotschie.
Official EFC 72 results:
Dave Mazany defeated Martin Van Staden to take the EFC light heavyweight championship by split decision.
Gideon Drotschie defeated Jenaid Ebanks via unanimous decision.
Faeez Jacobs defeated Tumisang Madiba via tapout (guillotine choke) 4:31 into round 1.
Justin Smith defeated Giovanni Pretorius via knockout 3:36 into round 1.
Matunga Djikasa defeated Willem Smith via tapout (guillotine choke) 0:28 into round 1.
Bruno Mukulu defeated Regis Muyambo via unanimous decision.
Anthony Mailer defeated Duane Jones via KO 0:27 into round 2.
Hermie Drotschie defeated Francois Kundari via tapout (armbar) 1:35 into round 1.
Serge Kasanda defeated Chris Dove via TKO (strikes) 2:15 into round 2.
He talks the talk and walks the walk! Justin Smith UNLEASHED the Power! #EFC72 pic.twitter.com/DqseqfbohA
— EFC Worldwide (@EFCworldwide) August 11, 2018
Matunga Djikasa just put the heavyweight division on notice! 28 seconds! #EFC72 pic.twitter.com/D5mEjR9Tml
— EFC Worldwide (@EFCworldwide) August 11, 2018
I’m coming for the lightweights! – @BrunoMukuluMajo #EFC72 pic.twitter.com/GGZ2MVLZ82
— EFC Worldwide (@EFCworldwide) August 11, 2018
That left hook on the money! @AnthonyRMailer with the KO win! #EFC72 pic.twitter.com/P8B66jrJOJ
— EFC Worldwide (@EFCworldwide) August 11, 2018
Now that is how you debut in the Hexagon! Hermie Drotschie with the first round submission!
Watch #EFC72 live on Kwesé ESPN (Africa), SABC 3 (South Africa), FIGHT SPORTS (Where available) and https://t.co/66KmuwMrjv (Where available) at 21:30 CAT/ 19:30 GMT/ 12:30 PTZ. pic.twitter.com/i4c2oGQafz
— EFC Worldwide (@EFCworldwide) August 11, 2018
All eyes now turn to EFC 73 Kalunda vs Da Rocha, Moyo vs Vanderaa is presented by Betxchange.com and takes place on Saturday 8 September live from Sun City, Northwest. Tickets are on sale soon at computicket.com, and the 5 main card bouts will be broadcast live on Kwesé Free Sports 1 (Kenya & Rwanda), Kwese TV (Sub-Saharan Africa), SABC 3 (South Africa), FIGHT SPORTS (Where available) & EFCworldwide.tv (Where available) starting at 21:30 (CAT). Full broadcast details available on efcworldwide.com. Prelim fights will be available for free on the official EFC Facebook page.
For more information visit:
efcworldwide.com
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facebook.com/EFCworldwide
twitter.com/EFCworldwide
