Manyamala’s long wait ends with first shot at EFC Gold

After years of progress and tough lessons, Tumelo Manyamala will finally get his first shot at championship gold next Thursday when he faces Ntando Zondi for the EFC flyweight title at GrandWest.

For Manyamala, it is more than just a fight; it is the opportunity to cement his place among South Africa’s elite.

The timing could hardly be more fitting for the flyweight contender. He spent six weeks surrounded by some of the world’s top flyweights, fighters all chasing contracts in the premier MMA promotion, the UFC, during The Ultimate Fighter season 33.

Manyamala then punched his ticket to the title fight in emphatic fashion, stopping Lihle Ngamntwini in the opening round in the EFC flyweight grand prix.

It was a clinical performance that showcased the composure and finishing instinct that have become hallmarks of his rise.

With a professional record of 7–1, he will meet another rising star in Zondi, who brings a 6–1 record of his own into what many regard as the most talent-packed division in the organisation.

The matchup promises speed, precision, and high stakes, the kind of contest that could define a career.

For Manyamala, the bout represents the culmination of years of waiting for the right opportunity. A win would not only deliver championship gold to Cape Town but also place a firm stamp on his reputation as one of the country’s standout martial artists.

He will not be alone in carrying Cape Town’s hopes next week.

The Knoxx Legacy Series could prove a historic night for the Mother City, with four EFC titles potentially heading south.

Faeez Jacobs will defend his bantamweight belt against Trent Girdham, while Luke Michaels puts his middleweight crown on the line against Diego Bandu. Adrian Sanchez will take on Jefferson Perreira for the Interim lightweight title fight.

All four fighters enjoy the advantage of competing in front of a sold-out GrandWest arena on Thursday, February 26, with the home crowd ready to roar them on.