Johannesburg South Africa – Rival #TF2 coaches, are set to collide in the main event of EFC 80. Former champ and former UFC middleweight, Garreth McLellan will go head-to-head with #TF1 winner, Brendan Lesar for the interim EFC middleweight championship. Plus, the #TF2 Finale sees the culmination of a 10-week long journey for two female warriors who fought and beat their way to the finals of the hit reality show. All this and more live from the home of African MMA, Carnival City, Johannesburg on Saturday 29 June.
It has been just under 5 years since fans saw McLellan fight under the bright lights in the Hexagon. The arena where he built his world-renowned craft and his name became synonymous with the sport on the continent.
Half a decade ago, ‘Soldierboy’ faced the surging Dricus du Plessis in a back-and-forth battle that will be remembered for ages to come. A fight he ultimately won via submission and handed Du Plessis his only loss in the Hexagon.
Shortly after that historic night, McLellan was scouted by Las Vegas based promotion, UFC and fought around the world.
Now the legendary African soldier is back, more tactical and better than ever. Having earned his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blackbelt in his absence, he has returned to claim the title he never lost.
Lesar rose from obscurity on #TF1. Chosen last in the team selections, he fought and won more than anyone else in the house to claim the title of The Fighter, season 1 champion. A guaranteed title and a six-figure EFC contract in the bag. He battled his way through some of the world’s best undefeated prospects, beating the odds time and time again.
In the finale against Ibrahima Mané from France, he made it a dogfight. Controlling the action for almost all the bout, before catching a devastating shin to the face. He survived the onslaught to claim the unanimous decision.
His tenacity to overcome has been the leading characteristic of his career. No matter how overwhelmed he has seemed, Lesar has found a way. In the words of fans and pundits, “He is not a man you want to bet against.”
The building battle between ‘Soldierboy’ and the ‘Descendant’ is going to be huge!
Added to this epic title fight, two of the ladies that spent 6 weeks living and training together under the watchful eye of McLellan and Lesar will collide. Out of the 10 contestants, these ladies conquered all who stood in their way and have one final hurdle left before claiming the title of #TF2 champion, the six-figure EFC contract and a guaranteed shot at EFC women’s flyweight gold against reining double-division champ, Amanda ‘Maddog ‘ Lino.
On the same night, the second fight in the EFC welterweight Grand Prix takes place between Luke Michael and Conrad Seabi. A fight initially scheduled for EFC 78 in Cape Town but got postponed with less than 24 hours as Seabi injured himself during his weight cut.
With Themba Gorimbo claiming the first spot in the finals in a dramatic battle against Jose Da Rocha, we are about to find out who will face the Zimbabwean in the finals for the vacant EFC welterweight championship.
These fights headline the top of a 12-bout fight card featuring some of the best of the organisation.
EFC 80 Soldierboy vs. Lesar #TF2 Finale is presented by Constantia Insurance and takes place on Saturday 29 June live from Carnival City, Johannesburg. Tickets are on sale soon at www.computicket.com. Full broadcast details available at www.efcworldwide.com.