Ziko Makengele and Mark Hulme Headline EFC 102 for Welterweight Title

• Ziko Makengele will defend his Welterweight title for the first time against Mark Hulme
• Vandam Mbuyi returns to the organisation after he was suspended for six months
• Shannon van Tonder will look to bounce back after his first defeat against Ashley Calvert

With UFC 287 now done and dusted, all attention turns to EFC.

Africa’s premier mixed martial arts promotion will host EFC 102 on April 13, with Ziko Makengele and Mark Hulme headlining the event.

The Gorilla Makengele will look to defend his EFC Welterweight title when he takes on Frankenstein Hulme in the main event.

Makengele won the title last year when he defeated Martin van Staden, while Hulme is a product of the famed Team CIT. CIT has produced a host of EFC champions, including current UFC stars, Cameron Saaiman and Dricus du Plessis.

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The welterweight title fight isn’t the only reason to be excited about the card, as there are a number of exciting bouts which could steal the show.

Vandam is back

Fan favourite Vandam Mbuyi returns to the performance centre as he takes on Ivan Strydom in a heavyweight showdown.

Mbuyi was suspended for six months after he was involved in an altercation with Matunga Djikasa after their title fight last year.

A tantalising Light-heavyweight encounter

JC Lamprecht stepped away from mixed-martial arts for over 9 years but returned with a bang at EFC 100.

Lamprecht secured a first-round KO and will now take on Khulekani ‘Cold Steel’ Hlongwa. Cold Steel has never relied on the judges’ scorecards to get the win, and he will be looking to continue that trend against the Team CIT fighter.

Old school vs new school

One of the more intriguing fights at EFC 102 is the battle between a veteran and an exciting youngster. Ashley Calvert is proving that age is nothing but a number. The 39-year-old is looking to climb up the rankings and eventually challenge Igeu Kabesa for the title. In his way stands the grappling phenom, Shannon van Tonder.

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Van Tonder suffered the first defeat of his career at EFC 100 and will be looking to bounce back in a big way.

EFC 102 takes place at the EFC Performance Institute in JHB, South Africa, on Thursday, April 13.

Djikasa knocks out Vandam Mbuyi

Matunga Djikasa is the EFC’s new Heavyweight Champion.

HHH Power knocked out Vandam Mbuyi to win the belt in the main event of EFC 98.

Sadly the win was overshadowed by the events after the fight, as Djikasa and Mbuyi were involved in a post-fight altercation, Sports Brief reported.