Professional debut ahead for PE’s Biko
Amateur champ keen to show off talent against best
HIS fighting career has gone from strength to strength, and now Kwazakhele fighter Luthando Biko is champing at the bit to make his professional debut at the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) in a few short weeks.
Last year, Biko, 26, was crowned African Amateur MMA bantamweight champion and Commonwealth judo champion.
After winning the bantamweight belt at South Africa’s biggest amateur MMA promotion, Fightstar, and raking in his sixth amateur win in the process, it was only a matter of time until Africa’s premier MMA show came knocking.
Now the Port Elizabeth fighter will head to Johannesburg on March 4 and make his pro debut at Carnival City on the EFC 57 fight card.
“This is a very exciting time for me,” he said. “This is not only a chance to show the world my talent, but an opportunity for me to show everyone who has invested time and energy into my career that their dedication has not been wasted.”
Biko, or Shorty as he is known at the Port Elizabeth Submission Fighting Academy (Pesfa) where he trains daily, is stepping into a tough pool.
The EFC’s bantamweight division (under 61kg) is one of the promotion’s largest divisions, with one of its biggest names, Angola’s undefeated Demarte Pena, holding the title.
“I know I am coming into a tough, very challenging division, and I will face some stiff competition, but I see it as a place to prove I am the best among the best,” Biko said.
“I love a challenge, and this is the perfect division to prove I belong in this sport.”
Trainer Chris Bright said Biko was a very talented fighter and a natural athlete, and following his successes last year it was part of their plan for Biko to step into the EFC as early as possible this year. “Shorty came to us with a solid judo background and he could box,” he said.
“He had a lot of raw talent and was very explosive, and over the last two years we have developed him into a really good, polished fighter.
“He can really make inroads in this bantamweight division.” Biko will face Durban’s Jesse Fleming, and Bright said it would be a tough fight for both.
“Neither fighter has a lot of footage available, making it tough to study each other,” he said.
Asked if he was nervous about making his pro debut, Biko said he always had nerves heading into a fight, but he turned it into something positive.
“I have learnt to control and channel those nerves. I see it as a way to focus my energy, and it actually helps me in my preparations.
“As the fight draws closer, I can feel myself becoming more focused and excited. I cannot wait to step into that cage,” he said.
This is the perfect division to prove that I belong in this sport