Justin Morton (top) (Facebook/Tenkaichi Fight)
Out of Obscurity: EFC 41, Aspera FC 22 and Tenkaichi Fight
Bryan Henderson
July 9, 2015
Every week, Combat Press takes a look at three regional, developmental or international cards from the upcoming weekend, previewing from each a single fight to which people should pay close attention. We will also list other significant bouts from the card, as well as information on how to follow each promotion and watch the events.
Let’s discover those prospects that fight in the obscurity of the regional, developmental and international circuits, waiting for their shot at the bright lights and big stage of the UFC, and those veterans looking for one more chance at stardom. It all begins here, in the small convention centers and high school gymnasiums. It all begins with promotions such as these…
Extreme Fighting Championship 41
Carnival City in Johannesburg, South Africa
Event Date: July 11
Website: efcworldwide.com
Watch Event: Live main card on television networks SuperSport World of Champions (Africa), Fight Sports (Europe and Asia) and ESPN Player (Europe).
Twitter: @EFCworldwide
Spotlight Fight:
Demarte Pena (10-0) vs. Cedric Doyle (7-1-1)
If there’s one fighter who has truly stood out among the Extreme Fighting Championship roster, it’s Demarte Pena. Pena, who once reigned as the EFC Africa featherweight champion, shifted his sights to the bantamweight division in 2014 and quickly claimed the EFC crown for the weight class. Now, at EFC 41, he will put his title on the line against challenger Cedric Doyle.
Pena vacated his EFC Africa featherweight crown to challenge Nkazimulo Zulu for the bantamweight title. After five hard-fought rounds, Pena emerged with the belt. The 25-year-old fights out of Fight Fit Militia and made his pro debut in 2011. He captured the EFC Africa featherweight title in just his third fight and went on to make five successful title defenses before making the move to 135 pounds. Pena has seen the scorecards six times, while only picking up two TKO victories and two submission wins. He’s seen the championship rounds in an astounding seven of his 10 pro fights. His most recent outing ended in a successful defense of his bantamweight title with a fourth-round TKO finish of Francois Groenewald.
Pena is a SASCA grappling champion and an undefeated amateur Muay Thai competitor through six contests, but he also has a background in Shaolin Kung Fu, karate and judo.
Doyle’s record varies depending on the source — Sherdog has him at 4-1, EFC lists him at 7-2 and Tapology indicates that he’s 7-1-1. According to Tapology’s listing, Doyle has four submission victories and two stoppages via strikes. Regardless of which accounting is referenced, one thing remains a constant: Doyle is 4-1 inside the EFC’s Hex. “The Dominator” didn’t get an easy task for his EFC debut, in which he met the aforementioned Zulu. Zulu submitted Doyle in the second round and continued his march toward an eventual title shot and championship reign. Doyle, meanwhile, found his rhythm in his next outing. He scored three finishes — one submission and two TKOs — before edging Matthew Buirski on the scorecards in his most recent fight. Doyle’s fighting background of impromptu boxing matches with his brother and skirmishes on the beach eventually led to an MMA career.
Doyle has put together a solid resume, but Pena has established himself as the elite man atop the EFC roster. Pena can finish opponents via strikes or submissions, but he tends to be more of a grinder who is content to let the judges determine the outcome. It’s worked to Pena’s favor thus far. Doyle has a better finishing rate, but he wasn’t as effective against his two most notable opponents, Zulu and Buirski. Pena is another big step up in competition for Doyle, and Doyle may not be up for the task.
Pena has been an extremely effective fighter throughout his EFC career. Doyle’s a strong challenger and he won’t let Pena run away with the victory, but he’s going to have a tough time dethroning the bantamweight kingpin. Pena will draw this contest into the championship rounds, and that’s where Doyle will falter. This one has a decent chance of making it to the scorecards, but Pena could end it with a submission in the fourth or fifth round.
Other key bouts: Michiel Opperman (11-9) vs. Liam Cleland (4-2) for the middleweight title, Lyle Karam (2-0) vs. Mark Hulme (2-1), Tumisang Madiba (3-1) vs. Wesley Hawkey (11-6), Mthobisi Buthelezi (2-0) vs. Koba Iakobidze (1-3)
Reply With Quote