Bay heading for an Extreme fists experience
THE wait is over for Nelson Mandela Bay fight fans as Africa’s biggest mixed martial arts promotion is set to make its way down to Port Elizabeth for the first time ever.
Last week the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) released its full list of 2017 fixtures, adding some new venues to its 10-fight annual schedule, and naming the Boardwalk Casino and International Convention Centre as the host for the October 7 showpiece.
“Not only will this be the first ever EFC in Port Elizabeth, but as far as we know it will be the first fight card in the city to showcase only professional fighters. And we cannot wait to come down there and give the people a great show,” said EFC matchmaker Graeme Cartmell.
Other new venues include the Sibaya Casino in Durban and Menlyn Maine in Pretoria.
Besides the new venues, EFC also announced a groundbreaking new deal with SABC yesterday, where the main card fights of every 2017 event will be broadcast live on SABC3. Additional shows about the fight promotion, fighters and upcoming events will be broadcasted regularly.
Cartmell said all the new venues will be considered for return shows if the events attract enough attention and supporters.
“Port Elizabeth has been on our radar for a while, and in recent months we have seen some great talent come out of the Friendly City. So the plan is to build a show around these fighters and attract as many people to watch their hometown heroes do their thing in their own backyard.”
Cartmell said big names like EFC veteran Chris Bright and welterweight title contender Cameron Pritchard have built a great reputation with their fights all over the country, and along with exciting fighters like featherweight Sindile Manengela and heavyweight Ivan Strydom, they can put together a show that will pave the way for future events in the Bay.
“We know Port Elizabeth has been hungry for some top-level fights for some time now. This event will set the tone, and if the support is good we could make it an annual stop,” Cartmell added.
Bright, 44, who fought in the main event at the first ever EFC event in 2009, said he is excited at the prospect of fighting in front of his home crowd.
“Port Elizabeth is where my career as a fighter started and I am super excited at the prospect of rounding my career off where it all began – back in front of my home crowd on the biggest MMA stage in Africa.”
Bright also believes the EFC will expose fans and young fighters to the potential of MMA as a sport.
“I think having EFC finally come to Port Elizabeth is a massive boost for mixed martial arts locally. It’s great to expose the PE public to what the local fighters are capable of on a national, or even international, stage. It’s also great for young upand-coming fighters to see what an amazing platform they can potentially grow to compete in,” said Bright.
Bluewater Bay native Pritchard, 27, said he is looking forward to the opportunity to show the Port Elizabeth crowd what their fighters are made of.
“People here know about you and they see you on TV, but they don’t really know what you do or get to experience it with you. So I am really excited to fight in front of my family and friends.”
Pritchard added that travelling to fights and media events during intense training schedules can be taxing, saying that fighting from home instead of a hotel would be a welcome change.
“And if all goes according to plan over the next few months I could either be fighting for the title, or possibly even be defending it, in Port Elizabeth. So all round, I am super excited for October.”