Van Staden’s belt on the line

The Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) is set to once again rock the Mother City at EFC72 tonight as South African MMA pioneer, Martin van Staden, defends his lightweight title against former champion Dave Mazany of the United States.

Van Staden (above) has been massively impressive since making the weight drop down to lightweight, which finally saw him wrap some EFC gold around his waist.

“I feel like all the Cape Town people are behind me, this is still home soil,” said the Johannesburg-based Van Staden, who claimed the title at Cape Town’s Grand West Arena at EFC68.

Las Vegas-based Mazany will also have his fair share of followers as the EFC veteran has become quite a fan favourite over the years.

“I sailed across the ocean to come and claim back what is rightfully mine,” joked the American.

“I’m 34 years old, I have no choice but to win if I want to conitue in MMA,” he added.

The co-main event of the evening will see former light heavyweight champion Gideon Drotschie making his long-awaited drop to middleweight to face England’s Jenaid Ebanks.

Also on the main card, Cape Town favourite Faeez Jacobs takes on the electrifying Tumisang Madiba in a bantamweight clash, while former team-mates Luke Michael and Armand Scheepers collide in a highly-anticipated grudge match.