The table is set for Regis Muyambo
REGIS MUYAMBO is a passionate man. A passionate friend. A passionate teacher. A passionate learner. And a passionate fighter.
He’s so passionate about Cape Town, he sports a tattoo of Table Mountain on his arm – and who can blame him?
“I always tell people Cape Town is my home and Jujutsu is my passion. Two of many things that make me happy to be here,” says the Zimbabwean-born combatant.
It’s so easy to identify his zest for life. Even through our conversation on the often-emotionless WhatsApp social-media platform, his words echo excitement and drive. And never more so than when he speaks about life in the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC).
“The EFC has always been a dream of mine,” he says.
“Coming from a camp which had fighters like Bernado Mikixi, Gina Ifuki, Sibusiso Mdoko and Chris du Pont ... watching them progress and being a part of it all made me feel like I could achieve my goal of being in the organisation, and one day becoming a champion.”
“And there is a lot at stake in my next fight,” says Muyambo of his bout with Port Elizabeth’s Sindile Manengela at EFC 65 at Carnival City on Saturday.
As for Muyambo, aka “Frostie”, this three-round featherweight bout could determine whether he rises like an uppercut and continues on that route of “becoming a champion” sooner rather than later … or even at all.
If one looks at his fight-card history, it doesn’t read impressively at the moment, with five losses and four wins, which include a run of four straight defeats.
“Those defeats were hard for me, and it made me ques- tion both my abilities and those of my coaches. People had a lot to say,” says the Silverback Mixed Martial Arts fighter who trains under coach Anthony Kettle.
“But, if you don’t fight the best, you’ll never be the best. True champions never cherry pick, and they will always want to test themselves and I believe that made me a stronger fighter and person.
“I still want that featherweight belt.”
One has to give the 23-yearold credit for his outlook and character.
One has to give the 23-yearold credit for his outlook and character. Three of his losses were against “heavyweights” of the industry. The first one came against the current featherweight champion, Igeu Kabesa. Another was against the current lightweight champion and notorious Don “The Magic Man” Madge.
His last defeat came against fellow-Capetonian, Deon Bruning, who is one match away from a title fight with “The Magic Man”. career. Regis Muyambo’s bout against Sindile Manengela this weekend could be a defining moment in his
So yes, it’s fair to say that Frostie has been on the cold side of a few matchups.
But it’s Muyambo’s “neversay-die” attitude that is most commendable.
“My coaching team and I have worked on many things in preparation for my fight with Sindile and we are looking forward to putting them to use on November 4th,” he says.
Frostie’s last three fights read: Win, loss, win. And if one looks closer, it is notable that he has found form and confidence, perfecting his boxing-wresting style of late. Now
with added mass in a lighter division (moving from lightweight to featherweight), his new-found swagger will do him the world of good and will be key in continuing his rise.
His opponent – Port Elizabeth Submission Fighting Academy’s ( PESFA) Manengela – has also drastically improved his MMA skillset under the watchful eye of coach Chris Bright.
The judo specialist is riding high on confidence with three wins in his last four fights. And a victory at Carnival City will get him a shot at the
number-one contender for the featherweight title early next year.
With that said, the 32-yearold Manengela too will be fired up in the City of Gold.
That does not seem to deter Muyambo though.
“I have a ton of respect for my opponent and his camp but that’s not going to stop me from putting him away in an impressive fashion,” Muyambo says .
“I’m looking forward to putting on a show for the fans and laying my claim as one of the best in the featherweight division.
“I want that belt as well as another crack at the current champion Igeu Kabesa.”
So who will be riding the roller-coaster of joy at Carnival City this weekend?
All I can tell you right now is that “Frostie’s” WhatsApp messages read of a man who is keen on dealing with some unfinished business in the featherweight division.
I guess only time will tell whether he will be wearing the precious Table Mountain on one arm, and a EFC featherweight belt on the other ...