Armand is out for redemption

‘The focus now is to get back what I had lost’

MMA is about transitioning and adapting in the moment.

It is a beautiful thing.

But let me tell you, there is nothing more beautiful than when a parent speaks of their child.

Just watch Armand Scheepers in my video above when asked about his family.

The glow that comes to his face is something else.

The man recently got engaged and he and his fiance are expecting their first baby, a gift that has given him so much perspective and drive.

“In the last 10 months, my life has changed so much. I can’t just think for two people now, but for three,” he says. “It has just been a blessing so far, everything. My entire camp and the whole experience all together has been one big blessing.”

Armand had experienced a rough patch not too long ago when he missed weight for a fight that had everybody talking.

He was set to take on his former teammate, Luke Michael in a highly-anticipated fight at EFC72 before Armand missed weight by a substantial amount which saw plenty MMA fans lay into him for not making weight.

It must have been a tough pill to swallow, and hard lessons were learnt for the REPS GYM athlete. But in life, it is all about how you learn and come back from disappointments that matter. And Armand has since chosen to rise above his mistakes and better himself.

He came back at EFC74 in emphatic fashion by subduing Pietie Coxen in the first round via armbar.

Now, at EFC75 tomorrow he is back in Cape Town at the Grand Arena to take on England’s Joe Cummins, who was ironically set to fight Luke.

Due to injury, Luke was unable to take the fight and has penned down a fight with Conrad Seabi at EFC76, should all go well.

“The focus now is to get back what I had lost. I want to show the haters that I made a mistake and that I am here to correct it,” says Armand.

“I’m excited to fight, I was really glad when Graeme (Cartmell, EFC VP) called me to offer me the fight.

“I have the biggest respect for Joe Cummins.

“I am just focused on getting the win and enjoying my holiday with my family and friends.”

It is going to be a display of splendour as Joe flairs out his kickboxing against the sharp and calculating Armand who is always looking to lock in a heel hook or two.