Sylvester: Abdul is coming to jungle
IT CERTAINLY has been an exciting time for South African and African MMA in 2018.
From SA’s former EFC champion Don Madge making an explosive and victorious debut against Te Edwards in the UFC (the biggest MMA promotion in the world) to Bahrain’s Brave Combat Federation landing on SA shores for the first time to host Brave 19 at Sun City on Saturday.
And “it’s the best feeling right now”, for Zimbabwe’s Sylvester Chipfumbu.
Sylvester, who fights in the Extreme Fighting Organisation, will take on Finland’s former IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) World and European Open Championships gold medallist, Abdul Hussein in a flyweight bout. Fighting out of the Ultimate MMA Fitness gym in Johannesburg, Sylvester isn’t too concerned about the man in front of him.
“Nothing but respect for Abdul, but right now, I’m not too worried about him, I’ll let him do the worrying because he’s coming into the jungle,” says Sylvester. “Fighting for the first time outside the Extreme Fighting Promotion feels different in a way of new opportunities, more exposure, etc, other than that, it’s just another day at the office, get the win and move on.”
Abdul, born in Lebanon before moving to Finland during his childhood years has a decent all-round game with two TKOs and two submissions to complement his 4-1 record.
It would be interesting to see how he deals with Sylvester’s (5-1) long reach, aggressive approach, and powerful striking.
Sylvester could do well to keep his opponent at bay especially with his lethal karate background, but he has shown that he is constantly growing in the close-quarter battles.
The Zimbabwean says he is not too focused on the distant future right now, but “the immediate goals are to win my next fight and the one after and so on, then get some straps around my waist, start an academy back home (in Zimbabwe).”
Brave CF19 will feature 10 exciting bouts that will include nine representatives from SA on the card.
“South Africa is one of MMA’s biggest markets and home to great talents that have fought for Brave before, so going there is a no-brainer. We worked hard on this project and we have been able to secure a very good broadcasting deal locally, with the help of a very capable team,” says Brave president Mohammed Shahid.
It’s the second time the organisation will travel to Africa after a successful debut back in August, when Brave landed in Morocco.
The main event will mark the promotional debut of Adam Townsend, one of Brave’s marquee signings in 2018.
The American welterweight, who comes in with a record of 19 wins and five losses, takes on a tough challenge against SA’s Mark Hulme (6-2), another debutant for Brave Combat Federation.
The event has caused much of a stir in terms of logistical issues which has seen plenty fans and followers complain about the fact that the event clashes with Africa and SA’s home-grown promotion, EFC that will display its final show of 2018 on the same night in Menlyn, Pretoria.