Johannesburg (South Africa) - EFC AFRICA, the continent’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation, has clinched a deal for heavyweight champion Ruan ‘Fangzz’ Potts to fight at US based international promotion, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
“This is a great opportunity and we look forward to seeing Ruan competing with some of the best athletes from around the world,” said EFC AFRICA president Cairo Howarth. “We’ve been in talks with the UFC for quite some time and are happy to have come to this agreement with them.”
Potts’ contract is a six fight deal, with his first UFC bout expected to be in April, and will see him representing Africa against heavyweights from across the globe.
“We’ve pioneered and grown African MMA to a point where our athletes are now truly world class,” said Howarth. “This agreement is testament to that. Now is Ruan’s time to represent Africa in the world’s biggest MMA promotion.”
The Extreme Fighting Championship is broadcast to over 400 million homes in over 110 countries around the world, showcasing Africa’s finest talent and some of the world’s best MMA athletes. Since exploding onto the scene in February 2011 at the EFC AFRICA 07 event, Potts has dominated the heavyweight division and, boosted by EFC AFRICA’s global television reach, has earned himself an international reputation as one of the most talented fighters on the planet.
“There is amazing talent here at EFC AFRICA, and I have improved so much as an athlete over these past three years with the promotion,” said heavyweight champion Ruan Potts. “Now I’m looking forward to putting my skills up against other world-class UFC opponents from other continents.”
Potts will relinquish his EFC AFRICA heavyweight title, which will become vacant, ready for a worthy champion to claim it. With top EFC AFRICA contenders like Vandam Mbuyi, Christophe Walravens and former champion Andrew van Zyl, fans can expect a tough battle for the belt very soon.
Click to expand...