Vanderaa vows to ‘bring the pain’

“RICKY can hit hard, but will it be enough to stop me? I think not,” says Jared Vanderaa ahead of his heavyweight title fight against Ricky Misholas at EFC77.

“We all know us big boys hit hard, he needs to bring a lot. I’m coming from a world class wrestling gym. I am fluent like water on the ground. When you feel like you are in control, you are not. My stand up, it is poetic violence. I’m bringing the pain. This is what I’m coming with.”

EFC champion Vanderaa can certainly back up the talk. He is a 1.91m giant with great athleticism, proper boxing skills and the ability to put you to sleep either via a submission or a knockout kick.

Vanderaa’s (8-3-0) power was put on show at the end of last year as he quickly dispelled any rumours of EFC legend and former UFC fighter Ruan Potts ascending the heavyweight throne.

Vanderaa outsmarted and outgrappled the man they call Fangz (due to his dangerous submission and locks) in their championship fight after the DRC’s Dalcha Lungiambula relinquished the title to ply his trade in the UFC.

On Saturday night, Vanderaa defends his title against a grinding DRC warrior who is keen on taking the belt back to Africa.

“He is the champion but we haven’t really seen much of his skill in his few fights at EFC. He hasn’t been pushed into deep waters yet. He might have lots of talent but it requires more than that to be a champ,” says Misholas (7-7-0), who lives and trains in Joburg under coach Ferdinand Basson.

“He is a good fighter but he has a few holes we have identified. All Jared’s flaws will be exploited and one will become his downfall. There is not only one way to end this fight.”