November 6, 2025 @ 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The stage is officially set for one of the biggest nights in African MMA. Willie “The White Lion” Van Rooyen will defend his EFC Flyweight Championship against Tumelo “Bones of Steel” Manyamala in the headline bout of EFC 129, taking place on Thursday, 6 November 2025, at the World Sports Betting Arena inside the EFC Performance Institute in Johannesburg.
Just two months ago, Van Rooyen cemented his reputation as South Africa’s brightest MMA star by defending his title against Anatolie Gafin, forcing a second-round submission. That victory followed his spectacular knockout win over Brazil’s Kleberson Sousa, which earned him the championship belt. With an undefeated record and highlight-reel finishes, the Pretoria native has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in the sport, with fans and pundits alike drawing comparisons to UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.
But standing across from him at EFC 129 is a formidable challenger. Manyamala, long considered a top contender in the flyweight division, recently returned from competing on The Ultimate Fighter, Season 33 in Las Vegas. While he didn’t secure a UFC contract on the show, his performances impressed Daniel Cormier and other UFC figures. Now back in South Africa with his coach Mike Mouneimne, Manyamala has his eyes set firmly on Van Rooyen’s gold. With elite kickboxing and jiu-jitsu skills, he presents arguably the toughest test of Van Rooyen’s career.
The card doesn’t stop there. The co-main event sees the highly anticipated return of Boyd Allen, who will battle Vince Bembe in a featherweight number-one contender clash. With ten more bouts still to be announced, EFC 129 is already shaping up to be a historic night for African MMA.
For Van Rooyen, victory would bring him another step closer to international stardom and a possible UFC call-up. For Manyamala, winning the title would be his ticket back to global recognition. One fighter will rise; the other will have to regroup.
EFC 129 promises fireworks, and fight fans won’t want to miss it.
Event Info:
📺 Broadcast: www.efcworldwide.com
