Faeez Jacobs successfully defended his EFC Bantamweight Championship after defeating former flyweight champion Gift Walker in a thrilling five-round main event at EFC 135, presented by World Sports Betting, at the WSB EFC Arena in Johannesburg.
On a cold winter evening, Jacobs showcased his championship composure by overcoming Walker via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-46) after an entertaining contest that earned both fighters the Fight of the Night award.
Walker consistently threatened with takedowns throughout the championship bout, but Jacobs answered with accurate striking, damaging elbows and effective ground control during the closing moments of key rounds to secure another successful title defence.
Khanyo Maqam Announces Himself as Lightweight Contender
One of the night’s biggest statements came from Khanyo Maqam, who continued his rapid rise through the lightweight division with a dominant second-round TKO victory over veteran Emmanuel Sita.
The Fight Camp athlete overwhelmed Sita with relentless ground-and-pound, forcing his opponent to verbally submit to strikes before dedicating the victory to teammate Demarte Pena and declaring his ambitions to reach the top of the division.
Mokhari, Zwane and Van Wyk Deliver Spectacular Finishes
The bantamweight division welcomed another serious contender as Moses Mokhari produced one of the night’s most explosive finishes. After surviving difficult clinch exchanges against unbeaten Zimbabwean Bryn Gwavava, Mokhari landed a perfectly timed one-two combination that ended the contest with a devastating first-round knockout.
Ayanda Zwane also impressed, stopping former featherweight title challenger Nerik Simoes with a spectacular knockout that further elevated his status within the division.
In the women’s strawweight division, Nicole van Wyk and Jessica Mouneimne delivered one of the evening’s most entertaining battles. After an intense opening round filled with aggressive striking, elbows and clinch exchanges, Van Wyk secured a dramatic guillotine choke submission with only two seconds remaining in the round.
Dream Debut for Charmaine Venter
Former IMMAF World Champion Charmaine Venter enjoyed the perfect start to her professional EFC career, stopping Nepal’s Anisha Khadka via first-round TKO following an impressive striking performance.
Elsewhere on the card, Salahuddin Plaatjies staged one of the night’s biggest comebacks by surviving multiple submission attempts before submitting Mfanafuthi Ngobese with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
Yaseen Adams continued his unbeaten run with a second-round TKO over Guide Moyo, while Eduardo Barros earned a unanimous decision victory against Mlungisi Mbizane after an entertaining striking contest.
The catchweight clash between Josiah Obasi and Jaden van der Merwe proved to be another highlight, with Obasi edging a closely contested split decision after three hard-fought rounds.
Performance Bonuses Awarded
Performance of the Night bonuses were awarded to:
- Moses Mokhari
- Ayanda Zwane
- Nicole van Wyk
- Josiah Obasi
- Jaden van der Merwe
- Khanyo Maqam
Meanwhile, Faeez Jacobs and Gift Walker received Fight of the Night honours for their thrilling championship encounter.
Official EFC 135 Results
Elisio Andre def. Trevor Mutsila – Unanimous Decision
Salahuddin Plaatjies def. Mfanafuthi Ngobese – Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Clelio Diogo def. Nicolaas Vermaak – Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Moses Mokhari def. Bryn Gwavava – KO
Charmaine Venter def. Anisha Khadka – TKO
Ayanda Zwane def. Nerik Simoes – KO
Yaseen Adams def. Guide Moyo – TKO
Eduardo Barros def. Mlungisi Mbizane – Unanimous Decision
Nicole van Wyk def. Jessica Mouneimne – Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Josiah Obasi def. Jaden van der Merwe – Split Decision
Khanyo Maqam def. Emmanuel Sita – TKO
EFC Bantamweight Championship: Faeez Jacobs def. Gift Walker – Unanimous Decision
Eyes Turn to EFC 136 and EFC 137
During the broadcast, EFC also confirmed that Chadrack Yemba will face Boyd Allen for the interim featherweight championship in the main event of EFC 137, with both athletes coming face-to-face inside the Hexagon ahead of their anticipated title clash.
Before that, attention shifts to EFC 136 on 6 August, where Adrian Sanchez meets Bradley Swanepoel for the interim lightweight championship at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in Johannesburg.
Following an action-packed EFC 135 filled with championship drama, breakout performances and spectacular finishes, the promotion has once again demonstrated why it remains the premier stage for African mixed martial arts.