All eyes were on the EFC 69 press conference yesterday, awaiting the outcome of a fight change to the flyweight title as Cutendana had withdrawn with medical issues earlier in the day. It was announced that the co-main event is cancelled, Zulu will defend against undefeated Bokang Masunyane at a date to be advised. Meanwhile, headliner JP Buys stole the show, challenging almost everyone on the card.
“I will fight both Zulu and Philippe on Saturday,” stated Buys confidently.
“We have searched high and low for a suitable replacement opponent. We offered to Coner Hignett and he originally accepted, but then I think he realized what he is dealing with in Zulu and turned it down. It is a testament to how dangerous Zulu is,” stated Graeme Cartmell, EFC VP of Talent. He added, “Sylvester Chipfumbu was trying to make a rematch, but he won’t be able to make weight on the short notice.”
Cartmell continued, “Our very first thought was BK (Bokang Masunyane), but that is such a big fight that we want to give them the appropriate build-up it deserves.”
The undefeated Masunyane will now challenge Zulu for the EFC flyweight championship at a date and venue to be decided.
Watch the full press conference here: https://youtu.be/aF-5MwK4SyU
Cutendana passed out during a training session Tuesday morning, he revealed to EFC HQ that he has a blood condition, resulting in a low white blood cell count and has been directed by doctors not to compete.
“It is something that Marino thought he had a handle on and in the last week it has crept up and he had a surprise attack where he feinted in training,” stated Cartmell.
As a result of the fight change, the heavyweight clash Simon Harle vs Juan Bezuidenhout has been bumped up to the main card. It has also been confirmed that rumours of Luke Michael withdrawing due to illness are true. He will be replaced by his former opponent Jasen van der Merwe to face Anicet Kanyeba.
EFC 69 Buys vs Rouch is presented by Betxchange.com and takes place on Saturday 28 April live from Carnival City, Johannesburg. Tickets are on sale at computicket.com, and the 5 main card bouts will be broadcast live on Kwesé Free Sports 1 (Kenya & Rwanda), Kwese TV (Sub-Saharan Africa) and live in South Africa on SABC 3 starting at 21:30 (CAT). Full broadcast details available on efcworldwide.com. Prelim fights will be available for free on the official EFC Facebook page.
About EFC® – The Extreme Fighting Championship®
Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, EFC is a world leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation. The Extreme Fighting Championship produces 10 live events annually at sold out arenas. With over 150 athletes exclusively contracted to the organisation, EFC showcases the greatest warriors on the planet.
EFC events are broadcast live in over 120 countries around the world on numerous television networks in multiple languages. EFC programming is available weekly in 600+ million TV households worldwide, making it one of the most recognisable MMA brands on the planet.
For more information visit efcworldwide.com, or follow us at facebook.com/EFCworldwide, Twitter:twitter.com/EFCworldwideand Instagram: Instagram.com/efcworldwide.
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