'There's never been a better time to be a mixed martial artist in Africa' - EFC president

Excitement is building among mixed martial arts (MMA) fans ahead of the Knox Legacy Series 2026, taking place at Cape Town's GrandWest Grand Arena on 26 February.

It kicks off the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) calendar for 2026.

The series sold out well before fight night, reflecting how popular MMA has become in Cape Town, and in South Africa as a whole.

As EFC President Cairo Howarth said that this local version of Las Vegas-based Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the gateway for talented African mixed martial artists to hit the world stage.

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A prime example is homegrown star and former UFC Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, who started out with UFC as a 19-year-old.

"We are the platform for African mixed martial artists to compete, build up their records and then hopefully go on to the likes of the UFC one day."

"Drikus started competing for EFC when he was a teenager, became our champion, then went on to sign with the UFC in Vegas and became the world champ; so that's the perfect example of what EFC is here for."

EFC was established in 2019 as the popularity of mixed martial arts was exploding, making it one of the fastest growing sports globally.

"It's a massive sport now with a massive following. The athletes competing for us today really have global opportunities - they can follow in the footsteps of Drikus; they can go anywhere whereas 15 or even ten years ago your mixed martial artists didn't have that kind of global recognition yet."

Howard notes that their biggest following on Facebook is actually from the US, followed by Brazil.

There is no better time to be a mixed martial artist in Africa, he says.

"In Africa we're blessed with a lot of raw talent... but, as in most sports, not as much financial backing. However, if you are a mixed martial artist today you can come and compete at EFC and build up your record - you can have one exciting bout, have your fight highlight videos watched by tens of millions of people around the world and you can become a known athlete and a star."

To listen to Cairo Howarth in conversation with Sara-Jayne Makwala King on CapeTalk's Weekend Breakfast, click on the audio link below: