Edson Machavane emerged victorious as he defeated Terence Balelo by a split decision which crowned him the new Flyweight Champion in Thursday’s EFC 119 event in Johannesburg, Afrosport reports.
Both athletes showcased their striking skills in an intense five-round affair that was an extremely close call, with the EFC Matchmaker offering Balelo a rematch.
Meanwhile, the co-main event saw Nigeria’s Juliet Chukwu emerge as the new women’s bantamweight champion in a five-round fight against Dayne Van Wyk.
Chukwu kept her composure throughout, maintaining a cool and determined stance, with her precision striking and well-timed counter attacks earning her a unanimous decision victory.
#ANDNEW flyweight champion ‘The Trapdoor Spider’ Edson Machavane 🕷️🕸️#EFC119 pic.twitter.com/v8Og27A7pR
— EFC Worldwide (@EFCworldwide) November 14, 2024
In another anticipated match-up, Shadrack Nsua defeated the previously undefeated Siya Nomvemve which opened the playing field for him to challenge Luke Michael in 2025.
Another show-stopping performance Nigeria’s Horatious Alonu ended Ziko Makengela’s shot at retaining the welterweight title after a crushing knockout.
The win solidified Alonu’s place as a force to be reckoned with in the division and is now the number one contender to face the next Welterweight Champion to be decided at EFC 120 where Zaakir Badat takes on Luke Michael.
In one of the most shocking moments of the night, Patrick Ocheme defeated the heavily favoured Kaleka Kabanda with a stunning knockout in the first round while Durbanite British Boloyoang also delivered a knockout of Christian Omokhobio.