Regis is out to rule in the hexagon against Slindile

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 Jiu Jitsu 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 with fighters like Bernado Mikixi, Gina Ifuki, Sibusiso Mdoko and Chris du Pont... watching them progress... made me feel I could achieve my goal of being in the organisation, and 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 this weekend.

For Muyambo, aka “Frostie”, victory in this three-round featherweight bout could improve his record to five losses and five wins.

“Those defeats were hard, and made me question 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.

One has to give the 23-year-old 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”.

But it’s Muyambo’s “never-say-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 4,” he says.

Manengela is high on confidence with three wins in his last four fights.

Fighting Schedule

Prelim card (starts at 5.30pm) Sindile Manengela vs Regis Muyambo (Featherweight)

Sibusiso Mdoko vs Pierre Botha (Featherweight)

Luke Michael vs Rodrique Kena (Catchweight)

Faeez Jacobs vs Oumpie Sebeko (Bantamweight)

Francois Cundari vs Serge Kasanda (Lightweight)

Guy Mongambi vs Wayde Kerspuy (Flyweight) Main Card (starts at 9pm) Champion Dalcha vs Stuart Austin (Light-heavyweight Championship)

Boyd Allen vs Calum Murrie (Featherweight)

Deon Bruning vs Gavin Hughes (Lightweight)

Bokang Masunyane vs Magno Alves (Flyweight)

Elvis Moyo vs Nico Yamdjie (Heavyweight)