Jeremy ‘Pitbull’ Smith has never lost a professional MMA bout. That single, short sentence may seem simple enough, but look at it again now that you know Smith has faced the likes of Martin van Staden, Adam Speechly and respected international fighter Julio Gallegos. Those 10 words suddenly convey an incredible achievement, and we realise [...]

We all have a significant idea of what the partner of a professional fighter endures during the months of preparation but what if you’re the girlfriend of a professional fighter and you’re a fighter?  Female fights have always been controversial, some agree with it and some don’t.   Who is  better to comment than a female [...]

In the first of our “Uncut” specials we spend some with Wentzel and Jackie Nel, at their Durban home, discussing the recent EFC Africa title victory and the life of MMA’s nicest couple. Look out for the second instalment of this interview next week

Mention the word wrestling in any conversation with an MMA enthusiast and there is a distinct chance the name Attila will come up.  Attila Barna is one of South Africa’s premier wrestling and grappling coaches and has helped many professional fighters climb the ranking ladder to its highest rung.  He has a reputation for being [...]

Dino Bagattin, perhaps EFC Africa’s best welterweight striker, recently took a break from the Quantum Tribe pads to tell Smacktalk how his martial arts journey turned a frustrated weekend warrior into one of the most relaxed and respected fighters SA has ever seen, and why we can expect an even more deadly Bagattin at EFC [...]

If as people we can be judged by the friends we keep;  a sport, and its stellar growth, can be judged by the mainstream Captains of Industry that have crossed over and now proudly promote, stock and distribute MMA related apparel and gear. Full Throttle was a purist motorcycle apparel retailer until owner and founder [...]

Fight Force Redemption was another world-class event.  The fights were incredible, the venue sold out and the battles of epic proportions.  Here is what the fighters had to say. pro am-

One of Durban’s original tough guys, James Rennie, returns to the cage this weekend after a three year absence. The 28-year-old former bouncer has nine years MMA experience and helped spread the sport among a section of society that is certainly not averse to some rough and tumble. “When I was 18 I started working [...]

Looking back on his recent loss, Martin van Staden can’t wait for Redemption. Considered by many to be one of SA’s top middleweight fighters, van Staden was found wanting when the USA’s Brian Ebersole caught him in a devastating 3rd round reverse triangle choke at Fight Force Invasion in April. Now, the time has come [...]

Paul Cunningham joined the ranks of the professional MMA fighters on the 15 April 2010 at Fight Force Invasion.  It was his first professional fight and first professional win.  Although he is no stranger to winning – his MMA record to date stands at 8-0 – he felt a sense of relief when the first [...]

The score is settled at 1-1 between Ryan Van Niekerk and Will Bentley and the pair of fighters have a rather unusual date on Sunday night.  The story is one of twists, turns and a rematch before the rematch. “I was in a motorbike accident and couldn’t fight for a year” says Van Niekerk of [...]

This weekend Ronald Dlamini isn’t just fighting for a title, he’s fighting to make history as Fight Force’s first black title holder. “I’ve always faced challenges, coming up as a black guy in martial arts. There is still some racial hostility, especially when I win my fights. Some people don’t like to see me win, [...]

For a fighter like Kevin Thomas, combat never gets old. The more he matures, the more dangerous he becomes and, at the age of 44 with a 35-7 record, he has the weapons and know-how to teach today’s MMA upstarts a lesson they won’t forget. Although Thomas’ MMA career spans 10 years, he’s not going [...]

Daniel Sinclair (3-0) has lost a battle which has ruled him out of fighting for Fight Force Redemption.  He is unbeaten thus far as an amateur and is most certainly one of South Africa’s brightest MMA prospects. The loss of which we speak is one against the Tonsillitis and ultimately a stomach virus.  Doctors have [...]

“Fighting for the title is the opportunity of a lifetime and for me it’s the first time I have had a chance at something this big. From a career point of view its great and the belt will be a bonus, but this fight is more of a personal issue for me” says the younger of the [...]

With a professional win record of 26-1 as a Fight Team there is something incredibly special about Fight Fit Militia.  They produce winning fighters that deliver consistent results and garner more attention from fans and respect, and often fear, from opponents than most other teams combined.  Is this because that every member of the fight [...]

One of the godfathers of SA MMA promotions, Brad Bloch has big plans for the future of the sport, especially where amateurs are concerned. Not only is he in the process of setting up a national amateur league, he is hosting a massive amateur tournament in Joburg on 29 May. Bloch’s association with martial arts [...]

We have all seen the astronomical rise of, predominantly American based, MMA clothing brands and the success that they have enjoyed.  MMA in South Africa is booming and has taken the sport scene by rear naked choke and asserted its dominance in record breaking time.  The South African public have taken notice of the most [...]

Wayne Borrino (photographer) and I were standing outside in the parking lot of the Urban Warriors Gym in Illovo waiting for Denzil to arrive for the interview.  Two guys clad in boxing and MMA gear walked passed us, not knowing exactly where the gym was situated in the center I asked the guys if they [...]

If there is one thing that we, as MMA fundi’s, know is that MMA pro fighters and practitioners need to be in top physical form every time they walk into the cage. As much as a fighter cannot achieve the results on his own his body cannot achieve peak physical conditioning on its own.  It [...]