Over 100 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters from young to seasoned recently showcased their talent on the local stage, preparing them for the professional realm.

On August 16, 650 spectators witnessed the fighters enter the boxing ring for MMA, which ranged from kickboxing to boxing and Jiu-jitsu.

The fighters hailed from clubs and gyms across the Western Cape including Strandfontein, Mitchell’s Plain and Ottery.

The event and initiative, called Rising Stars 2, was held at Oaklands High School in Lansdowne with promoters Fidaah Edries from Fighterz Inc MMA Wellness Academy and Dorothy Cloete from Vibrant Sports. 

“The event was a major success, where we intended to include all the areas and to bring the tournament to the southern suburbs where it usually happens in the northern suburbs,” said Edries.

“It was about community building and how martial arts is an intervention, how it brings together the community and unity and wellness and love between people.

“The athletes came out ready, willing to put on a show and the audience got to see some excellent boxing and kickboxing skills displayed on the day.

“We say congratulations to our Boxing Champion, Eugene Stone, for retaining his title at 71kgs and Aayesha Majiet for winning the 60kg women’s Kickboxing title and to Jiyaad Diedericks for winning the 57kg men’s Kickboxing title.”

One of the gyms which participated, “Go for Broke MMA’s” coach Erefaan Jacobs said the event helped to motivate young fighters.

“Personally as a coach and being in the Martial Arts industry for over 20 years, Rising Stars 2 was definitely one worth remembering.

“This event not only gave fighters a chance to compete, however, allowed for networking and motivation for future aspiring young fighters, giving them a much greater purpose when training as there is a title at stake.”

Cloete said events like this prepare fighters for the professional stage.

With over 20 years of experience in the sport, she explained that it also taught fighters how to promote themselves.

“The idea is to create a professional stage presence,” she added.

“The support was electrifying and motivated the fighters.

“We are teaching the fighters how to market themselves.

“You get brilliant boxers and then people don’t know who they are and they do not have followers.”

Of the fighters who competed, some are set to take part in the SA championship next month in Vanderbijlpark.

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Cape Argus

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