Bad night for Potts, Van Zyl

Clinton Jones

It was something of a change of guard at Time Square Sun Arena on Saturday night as South Africans endured one of the most disappointing nights in Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) history.

The veterans made way for the young guns as the once-dominant Ruan Potts and Andrew van Zyl succumbed to their younger international opponents at EFC76.

Two-time former EFC heavyweight champion Potts was no match for American Jared Vanderaa, as he claimed the interim heavyweight title and in the process became the man to beat in an increasingly competitive division.

Another former heavyweight champion, Van Zyl announced his retirement after being demolished by Briton Stuart Austin.

The women closed off an exciting evening of fighting as Poland’s Karolina Wojcik outlasted champion Italy’s Chiara Penco in the main event after five hard-fought rounds.

It was fitting end to what has been a breakthrough year for the organisation and one can only think the sky is the limit next year.