Martial arts champ sets his sight on EFC title
Local mixed martial arts (MMA) athlete HP van Staden has sights set on an Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) title.
Van Staden spoke to Polokwane Observer after his latest EFC bout against Muay Thai specialist Given Majuba in Gauteng on April 16.
Van Staden won the fight with a rear naked choke and will now go up against Peace Nguphane at the EFC 95 event scheduled for July 16 in Gauteng.
He explained that in order to remain in contention for an EFC title, he must win all his fights. “I’m very happy with the outcome of the figth against Majuba. All my hard work paid off and the victory puts me in a very good position in regards to the EFC title. My fight against Nguphane is important because if I win, I will be in contention for the title next. EFC is the largest martial arts organisation in Africa and it will be an honour to be a title holder.”
Van Staden boasts a number of victories at local and national kickboxing tournaments and has previously won the FightStar Africa welterweight title.
He said he is happy to have returned to the cage after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “The fight against Majuba was my second fight since Covid-19 regulations were eased. It’s good to be back and I’m happy to see everything return to usual.”
Van Staden started with MMA in Polokwane in 2011. Jan Roets of Ion Baciu Wrestling Academy is his head coach and wrestling coach, while Dewet du Bruyn from Quan Jiu-Jitsu Polokwane is his JiuJitsu coach.
He said he would love to see aspiring
kickboxers in the city flourish and achieve their goals. “My message to all aspiring fighters is that they must find a good coach, a place with reputable people and continue to work hard. It is always good to start with fundamental martial arts such as Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and kickboxing before you go into mixed martial arts,” advised Van Staden.