Gokwe Boy’s crowning moment
ONE of the key characteristics of a top mixed martial arts fighter, apart from wrestling, grappling, boxing and jujutsu background, is a catchy nickname.
In some cases, a nickname can either be run-of-the-mill like the“Pitbulls”and“Hammers”or catchy like Chuck“Iceman”Liddell and“The Last Emperor”Fedor Emelianenko.
It can also be used to instil fear in opponents like “The Korean Zombie” Chang Sung Jung,“The Axe Murderer”Wanderlei Silva or Damacio“The Angel of Death”Page.
Whatever the case, these names are to be worn as a badge of honour, regardless of how absurd they may seem.
Zimbabwe has Nicholas Hwende, who has taken his “Gokwe Boy” moniker to heart and hopes to lift the name of the rural Midlands town to greater heights with his exploits in the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) arena.
He dreams of fighting in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Octagon one day.
“Gokwe Boy is a good nickname because that is where I come from, and I can’t help, but smile every time people call me that,” Hwende said.
“I see it as my responsibility to show the world that one’s background does not define who or what they are.
“Some people laugh at Gokwe because it is a rural area, and I want to show other Gokwe boys that they can achieve great things regardless of their background.”
Not only is this the gospel that the 26-year-old prize-fighter teaches, but he lives it, too.
Hwende is currently the EFC world bantamweight champion after he defeated Brazil’s Gian Souza in the third round of the championship bout in Johannesburg, South Africa, a fortnight ago.
The win was a momentous occasion for the mixed martial arts fighter, who only made his EFC debut in August last year.
The 26-year-old grappler and former jujutsu master is not satisfied with his
fight and welcomes a re-match with the Brazilian.
“I was not satisfied with the fight and my performance, as my gameplan was to knock Souza out in the first round.
“Unfortunately, I broke my finger and couldn’t knock my guy out.
“Though I did manage to finish him off in the third round, I am not happy.”
Luckily, the broken finger did little to ruin the win for Hwende, and he now looks forward to taking on all challengers as he hopes to make enough waves and graduate to the UFC.
“This win means a lot to me as it is a reward for all the hard work I have put into my craft. Yes, it does put a target on my back, but I am ready to take any and
all challengers.
“I am a diamond and do not crack under pressure.
“I plan to be champion of this division for the foreseeable future and eventually graduate to the flyweight and featherweight champion here at the
“The jump to the is the ultimate goal, and there I want to win the bantamweight, flyweight and featherweight titles.”
Born May 12, 1996, Hwende says he dreamt of being a mixed martial arts fighter from an early age. Having moved to South Africa shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, he made his EFC debut last year and is currently undefeated in nine bouts. His professional record stands at 4-0-0 (win-loss-draw).