EFC 111: Bantamweight Champion Nkazimulo Zulu Eyes Flyweight Belt, Double Champ Status

• Nkazimulo Zulu is the current EFC Bantamweight champion and a former EFC Flyweight champion
• 'King Shaka' will fight Gift Walker for the Flyweight strap in the main event of EFC 111 on March 7
• Zulu is thankful to his Team CIT allies for shaping him into a more dangerous and sharper fighter

The King is ready to reclaim his throne.

EFC Bantamweight champion, Nkazimulo ‘King Shaka’ Zulu, is looking to become a double champion when he fights for the Flyweight title at EFC 111.

Zulu will battle the champion, Gift Walker, for the Flyweight belt in the main event on March 7.

A former champion of the division, Zulu chatted exclusively to Sports Brief, talking about his preparation for the bout, his prediction for the fight and how his new coach has been a saviour for his career.

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Zulu is training with champions

The phrase 'iron sharpens iron' rings true when it comes to King Shaka. The Bantamweight champion has moved to Team CIT, where he trains alongside UFC champion, Dricus du Plessis and UFC Bantamweight, Cameron Saaiman.

Zulu also works at Team CIT alongside two EFC champions, JC Lamprecht and Mark Hulme, and is coached by the incredible Morne Visser.

"This is the most prepared I have ever been for a fight in my life. Coach Morne is a genius coach when it comes to MMA, and they have completely changed my fighting style to a world-class level.

"I am more dangerous and sharper," he said.

He added that working with higher-level fighters and champions daily brought out the best in him.

Zulu confident in his fighting abilities

While he admitted that Walker posed a bit of a threat with his submission game, the man formerly known as Zulu Boy was confident that the 22-year-old’s skills were not at his level.

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“No one has been able to submit me as yet. I have fought many black belts over the years and they haven’t made me tap out. I am very tough," he said.

"I am confident in my Jiu Jitsu skills, I am confident in my wrestling, and anyone who tries to stand and trade shots with me will fall," Zulu added.

Renowned for being an aggressive fighter who always puts pressure on his opponents, the champion said he would knock Walker out.

"I am going to bring back that Zulu Boy mentality, that aggressive and explosive edge, and finish the fight. I am not going to draw it out and showboat."

He admitted that his previous losses resulted from him trying to do too much in the Hexagon instead of getting the job done.

Is UFC on the horizon for Zulu?

Confident that he will become a double champion once EFC 111 is over, Zulu talked about the possibility of joining Du Plessis and Saaiman in the UFC, saying that it was a '100% certainty' that he would be going.

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With coach Morne and Du Plessis putting South African MMA on the map when 'Stillknocks' became the Middleweight champion, King Shaka added that a spotlight had now been put on the talent in the country.

And, while he has plans to shine on the international stage, Zulu is also keen to defend his title in the EFC before he leaves, saying he would be happy to compete in both the Flyweight and Bantamweight divisions.

Zulu’s previous experience with the UFC

While Du Plessis is putting South Africa on the map now in the organisation, King Shaka was the first to get a crack at being a UFC athlete.

Zulu competed in The Ultimate Fighter in 2016, and while he didn’t earn a contract, he competed against current UFC fighters Brandon Moreno, Kai Kara-France, and UFC Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.

He also trained with Henry Cejudo, who recently fought at UFC 298. Zulu also knows he is on the same level as several athletes currently signed to the organisation.

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Zulu describes coach Morne as a saviour

To be a successful athlete, you need a coach who believes in you and wants nothing but the best for you.

With Team CIT and coach Morne in his corner, Zulu has found that. The Bantamweight champion spoke highly of coach Morne, saying he wanted to thank him from the bottom of his heart.

Zulu explained that his coach treated him like a son and went out of his way not just for him but for all fighters in the gym.

"The world needs more people like him. He does everything out of love, and he wants to see us all become world champions. From our clothing to our training to ensuring we eat properly and are healthy, he makes sure we are real professionals. I love you, coach. Please continue what you are doing."

How to follow Zulu on social media

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If you want to keep up to date with the Bantamweight champion, you can check him out on social media.

Facebook: Nkazimulo Zulu, Instagram: @nkazimulu_zulu, X (Formerly Twitter): @Nkazimulo12Zulu.

Zulu becomes Bantamweight king at EFC 105

Nkazimulo ‘King Shaka’ Zulu became the new EFC Bantamweight champion in the main event of EFC 105.

The KwaZulu-Natal native stepped in on short notice to challenge Musa Sethwape for the championship.

King Shaka picked up the win as he submitted the champion in the fourth round, as Sports Brief reported.