Johannesburg, South Africa – Calamity has struck, EFC 53 headliner and former welterweight champ David Buirski has withdrawn from his scheduled middleweight title fight against England’s Yannick ‘Black Mamba’ Bahati due to a knee injury sustained in training.

The title fight will be postponed to a later date, however the battle between United Kingdom and South Africa goes on and in steps Buirski’s teammate and also a former welterweight champion, Michiel ‘Darkhorse’ Opperman.

While this massive match-up will still feature as the headlining main event at EFC 53 taking place at Carnival City on Friday 2 September, it will no longer be for the middleweight title as it will be contested at a catchweight of 90kg.

Opperman came to fame when he submitted Brazilian Jadyson Costa to claim the EFC welterweight championship, before and after that, the chiropractor has featured in some of the most epic wars fought inside the Hexagon. He has been scheduled to face Bahati in the past, but with previous fights not happening due to Opperman withdrawing with an injury, their fate is now once again officially set. Known for his slick submission skills, Opperman makes the perfect opponent to step in late notice for his injured teammate Buirski.

This bout headlines the EFC 53: UK vs RSA event, where two of the world’s best sporting nations collide for national pride. Get your tickets now from Computicket.com to avoid disappointment.

EFC 53: Bahati vs. Opperman, presented by SUPABETS, and takes place on Friday 2 September 2016 at Carnival City, Johannesburg. Tickets are on sale now at www.computicket.com, and the 5 main card bouts will be broadcast live on kwesesports.com, Fight Sports and www.efcworldwide.tv starting at 20:00 (CAT) and delayed live on e.tv after the 20:30 (CAT) movie.