Fight 3

UFL 02

United Fight League

Win by rear-naked choke

I fought Baldwin Mdlalose who is a much more experienced fighter. He is well known for his strong ground work and fast kicks. Baldwin was (and still is) a KZN ranked fighter at the time.

This was a huge step up for me and I had changed my game quite a lot. My sensei, Guy Sheehan had intensified my wrestling training and I had lost the 5kgs that I needed to in order to fight Baldwin in his weight category.

Someone very close to me sacrificed a lot to come and support me that night. If it weren't for this person I'm doubtful that I would've remained as focused as I did. You know who you are, and it meant the world to me; thank you.

The first round went quickly and I was a bit cautious. Baldwin opened with some flashy head-kicks that I blocked. We traded punches for some time with no one seeming to gain an advantage. Baldwin then got a good clean takedown and I had him in a guillotine which he escaped. after some rolling he got me in a good armbar. I managed to stand up and throw him off. Baldwin got another clean takedown and it was obvious that he was ahead on points. 

In the second round I landed some hard straight punches which rocked him. He took me to ground again and I escaped his guillotine and landed knees to his legs and ribs. Baldwin then got me in a tight triangle choke which I got out of at the last possible moment. I was dazed from the choke and started to stand up, as I did Baldwin grabbed my legs for a takedown. I managed to take his back and sink a rear-naked choke to which he tapped out.

Unfortunately no footage from UFL has been released due to a contract with SuperSport.