Dave 'Pain Train' Mazany is the new Lightweight Champion

The American pro wrestler sets the record straight in Cape Town 

If you want to know about a controversial main card then #EFC72 at the Grand West was the place to be on August 11. The fans and media alike were served some shockers and some fights were of mediocre fashion. This was the most anticipated fight for the Mother City and it never disappointed. 

The Lightweight championship title was the main attraction of the EFC72 card with former champion, Dave Mazany 17-6) coming to the hexagon to challenge titleholder Martin Van Staden (26-11). In typical mixed-martial arts fashion, the bout was due to be five rounds long and the two delivered throughout all the rounds, which kept the fans of each on the edge of their seats. One could swear that the fans would have gotten close to the cage if access wasn't restricted. The perks of being in the media are that you get to be right in front of the action and take in all the blood, sweat and sometimes tears. Van Staden as 'The Punisher' is known to have the striking advantage especially his height, while Mazany being dubbed as the superior wrestler. Ultimately, this could've been the South African's fight if only he had managed to keep the Alaska native on his feet and not be taken to the ground. Mazany is known for his grappling style and that's where he succeeds most. On the other hand, in this kind of fight realm, you can never be too sure where the wind will sail. The least expected can happen on a particular fight night.

Mazany immediately took control with a clinch to the fence, an eventual takedown, and limited ground control. Van Staden responded with quite the get-up which got his fans excited; he struck from the open space and sent his challenger on a wobble. However, it was eventually not enough from both men as they were going back-and-forth with each other. Van Staden gained his momentum as the rounds progressed with some glimpses of victory in between, Mazany had the same fate but in the same breath, The Punisher had points deducted from his fight for fence holding which in actual he had done a couple of times and had the referee's warning. The battle of these immensely talented fighters was everything you could possibly expect from a title challenge. It went from savage, slow to heated but mostly jam-packed with tension as would be in any fight. At the end of the night, both men had given their all with what they are gifted in and it was up to the judges as there can be only one winner. The title challenge was eventually ruled as 49-45 for Mazany and 46-48 for Van Staden. Parts of the crowd were not pleased with this decision and went roaring with boos which are fair, but the bout was incredibly close to a point where it was difficult to see who it could've got it when the countdown began. Mazany was given the go due to superior control but still didn't change the controversy. 

It came down the press conference where one could see that Van Staden was upset and who wouldn't be if they had just lost their title in the most controversial manner, coming from the judges' final decision. EFC President Cairo Howarth confirmed the possibility of a rematch which saw Van Staden look rather pleased. On the other end of the spectrum, the new Lightweight was slightly reluctant but somewhat open to the idea. He told the fans and the media that he would like to bask in this winning moment and heal up from his wounds before he is prepared to be back in the hexagon for the rematch.

In the evening’s penultimate bout former EFC light heavyweight champion Gideon Drotschie made a long-awaited return to the hexagon to now be in the middleweight division. He took on United Kingdom's Jenaid Ebanks who fights out of Blackpool. One could say it was one of the few decent fights before the event of the evening. Both men delivered at every angle with some impressive threats of submissions, powerful strikes and dominating ground. The most fascinating of it all was really 'the almosts'. Just when you thought it was over, it starts all over again. You have got to appreciate these kinds of fights as an MMA fan. As the final seconds came to a close, the crowd went wild showing extraordinary appreciation for the two fighters; and it's no surprise that it is a 'Fight of the Year' contender. Drotschie took it via a unanimous decision and claiming his rightful place in the middleweight division. The Englishman couldn't be disappointed with the decision although everyone wants to be a winner, the man gave his best and it won't be surprising seeing back at the Hexagon in no time. Tumisang Madiba had been out of the game for a year and made his return to take on the Cape Town energetic, up-and-coming Faeez Jacobs. Both men are exceptionally talented but the night went to Jacobs who proved the naysayers wrong; Madiba had some behind-the-scenes drama which could have clouded his focus and he certainly didn't mince his words about it at the press conference. 

Oh, what a night! EFC Worldwide keeps on delivering fight card after fight card; they can only grow in South Africa going forward. The next fight scheduled is #EFC73 on September 8 at Sun City in the North West province. Kalunda vs Da Rocha and Moyo vs Vanderaa are set to headline the main card.

Till next time. . .