EFC 2024: Legend Wade Henderson Talks About EFC Growth And His Commitment to MMA

• EFC Worldwide recently completed their 110th event with more on the way
• Wade Henderson fought at EFC 1 after several years of dominating in Asia
• He fought over 30 bouts in the EFC, winning his final fight at EFC 106

The first stones of a temple are laid with future worshippers in mind.

As the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) continues its exponential growth, fight nights become adorned with former champions basking in what they helped create.

Among the first to grace the EFC octagon, Wade Henderson was on the card of EFC 1. Now 41, Henderson has seen the promotion grow from an ambitious cluster of brutes to a sophisticated machine that is the premier name in African MMA.

The fledgling days of EFC featured a mix of brawlers and refined technicians. Falling into the latter, Henderson honed his skills on Asia’s combat circuit in his early twenties

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His career spans 23 years and boasts international titles in Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Kickboxing and Brazilian Jujitsu. Stating which ranks highest, In an interview with Sports Brief Henderson said:

“The best moment for me was winning the Ultimate Knockout Organization belt. I held that title for about seven years until I relinquished it.”

He was already in his late twenties when EFC began. The earliest participants didn’t have the current financial backing but through their pioneering commitment, have established a platform where fighters are able to shape livelihoods.

“We fought for pride and recognition. Nowadays, you want to make a living and a career out of MMA. We didn't have that back then.”

The humble beginnings have given way to advanced training methods, dedicated nutritional programmes and swelling audiences. With this, the athleticism has exploded, as Henderson explains:

“When I started, the knowledge of the sport and the techniques was not as readily available as it is today, so when we jumped into the cage or ring, it was basically who wanted it more and who was prepared to fight to the death.”

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The fighting spirit has carried him through over two decades at the highest level, from a youthful love of anything combat-based to his final fight in August 2023 where he secured a farewell victory against Willem Smith at EFC 106

There will be no riding off into the sunset as Henderson now wants to add to the EFC’s growing ranks and international appeal which pulls talent from across the continent. Outlining his plans to open his own MMA shrine that imparts an ethos of mental strength, he says:

“My goal is to open my new gym in Kigali, Rwanda and teach and develop fighters in both BJJ and MMA. BJJ and MMA have given me so much and helped shape my life. I want to give back the knowledge I've learned over the years and with God’s grace, help shape young children’s lives.”

A regular at EFC fight nights and the EFC high-performance centre, Henderson has had a front-row seat to the constantly evolving combat cathedral and he expects big things in 2024, stating:

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“I can see EFC taking things to the next level. It has been an honour to see how the promotion has developed since my debut at EFC 1 in 2009 to my last fight for them in Aug 2023. EFC is hands down one of the best promotions I've worked with over my 23 years career.”

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