EFC 135 Weigh-In Highlights | Jacobs vs Walker Title Fight Preview
EFC 135 weigh-ins set the stage for Jacobs vs Walker
The final appearances are complete ahead of EFC 135 in Johannesburg. All 24 athletes successfully made weight before a series of focused face-offs at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena, clearing the way for another major night of African MMA.
The main event is now official as bantamweight champion Faeez Jacobs defends his belt against former flyweight champion Gift Walker. Both men reached championship weight before meeting in the centre of the stage for one final staredown ahead of Jacobs vs Walker.
The exchange remained controlled, ending with a handshake rather than the pushing and security intervention sometimes seen during fight week. That did little to reduce the tension. Jacobs has promised to move forward and break the challenger, while Walker believes his experience as a former champion will carry him toward a second EFC title.
Faeez Jacobs defends the EFC bantamweight title
Jacobs enters the main event as the established champion and the fighter with everything to protect. He has already reached the top of the EFC Worldwide bantamweight division, but defending the belt against Walker presents a different kind of pressure.
Walker is not approaching this as a first championship opportunity. He has previously held EFC gold at flyweight and knows what it feels like to prepare for five rounds with a belt at stake. Moving into the bantamweight division gives him the chance to become a champion across two weight classes.
The rivalry has grown increasingly personal throughout fight week. The complete story behind the matchup can be followed in the EFC 135 Countdown, while EFC 135 Engaged captures the sharper exchanges between champion and challenger.
Khanyo Maqam faces Emmanuel Sita in the co-main event
The lightweight meeting between Khanyo Maqam and Emmanuel Sita brings two very different kinds of momentum to the EFC 135 co-main event.
Maqam is trying to build on an attention-grabbing start under the EFC banner, while Sita arrives representing Congo Brazzaville in what he has described as the biggest opportunity of his promotional career. Sita carried his country’s flag onto the scale, while Maqam remained calm and gave very little away during the final face-off.
Neither lightweight appeared interested in wasting energy on the stage. That restraint may disappear quickly once the opening bell sounds.
Obasi vs Van der Merwe brings light heavyweight power
Josiah Obasi vs Jaden van der Merwe is officially set at a 194-pound catchweight after both men completed the weigh-in process.
The composed face-off offered no drama, but the matchup carries obvious finishing potential. Obasi represents Nigeria and enters looking to continue his rise, while Van der Merwe gets the chance to defend home territory against another ambitious African light heavyweight.
With larger athletes and less room for mistakes, the contest may turn on one clean punch, one takedown or one scramble near the fence.
Mouneimne vs Van Wyk makes history at EFC 135
The women’s strawweight meeting between Jessica Mouneimne and Nicole van Wyk produced one of the weigh-in’s most memorable images.
Mouneimne will become the first South African woman to compete in professional MMA while wearing a hijab. She has already broken barriers across boxing and bare-knuckle competition, and EFC 135 adds another milestone to that journey.
Van Wyk appeared relaxed across from her, giving the matchup a calm but serious final face-off. Once the fight begins, both women have the opportunity to push themselves forward in EFC’s developing strawweight division.
Mbizane Jr meets Eduardo Barros on the main card
Mlungisi Mbizane Jr vs Eduardo Barros completes the televised EFC 135 main card.
Mbizane brought his usual energy to the stage and received a strong reaction from the Johannesburg crowd. Barros remained composed, creating another clear contrast in personality before their bantamweight contest.
The weigh-ins are finished, every main-card fight is official and there are no remaining obstacles between the athletes and fight night. Jacobs and Walker now have one final job: decide who leaves Johannesburg with the EFC bantamweight championship.
