EFC record proof of Tumelo Manyamala’s readiness for greater heights

The Cape Town-based fighter added another victory to his career by taking down Fafa Dwama via TKO at the last EFC event earlier this month. 

Manyamala has now called for a title shot against Gift Walker instead of hiding behind his impressive undefeated streak. 

"I didn't bite off more than I can chew, I think so. I think I've done quite a lot in this short time that I've been there," argued Manyamala.

"So, with fighting, you get people with good records – they can have the same record as me, 5-0, but you'd see that they have been a professional since 2017 and they've been fighting once a year, or what not.

"And, even when you go to the UFC, what they are looking for is very active fighters that put on very entertaining fights – I honestly feel like I check those boxes.

"I'm active, last year I had three fights, this year I've had two – it could have been three, it's just that I got my first fight in May only, so that was almost halfway through the year.

"I don't think it's rust at all, maybe in the amount of time that I'm getting these opportunities, it could look like rust, but the amount of activity and fights I've been putting on, it really is good timing."

It remains to be seen whether EFC match-maker Graham Cartmell will deliver on his promise to get Manyamala in the ring with Walker six months from now. 

"I keep performing, so hopefully it stays that way and I believe, if it does, that belt will definitely be mind in March," he stated.

"Even in my post-fight interview [after beating Dwama], I said, much respect to Gift, much respect to Terrence [Balelo], they're warriors and I can't hate on them because we're all fighters, we have the same dreams and goals, and we all want to be world champs."

READ: Dricus du Plessis responds to UFC boss Dana White's criticism