Nicholas Hwende To Defend Bantamweight Gold At EFC 99

Nicholas Hwende had a meteoric path to gold and managed to claim the African continent’s bantamweight championship just three days short of a year since his professional debut. EFC 96 in August was meant to witness the much-anticipated rematch between Nkazimulo Zulu and Gian Souza but, following an injury sustained by Zulu, a replacement was needed for that co-main event. Hwende stepped up to the plate and, with the news of Saaiman competing at Dana White’s Contender Series, the EFC upped the ante and made the fight to be for an interim Bantamweight championship. Once more, Hwende proved himself ready and was eager for the chance to capture gold.

On the night of EFC 96, both Hwende and Souza fought to be the one to claim the championship, but Hwende proved superior and was the one who had the 135lb gold wrapped around his waist by the end of the night. With the champion, Cameron Saaiman, proving successful at DWCS and gaining a UFC contract, Hwende found himself being immediately crowned the undisputed King of the 135lb’ers. Now, Zulu is healed and ready to make his return to the hex and will look to claim the gold he feels he deserves.

CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CONFIRMED 👊

Two of the most exciting athletes to ever enter the hexagon are set to face one another, as Nkazimulo Zulu challenges Nicholas Hwende for the EFC Bantamweight title! 🤯#EFC99 pic.twitter.com/LLhBWHzR8J

— EFC Worldwide (@EFCworldwide) September 28, 2022

Zulu is no stranger to African MMA fans and being adorned with gold once more is certainly a feeling he craves. Standing in his way to carrying gold once more is a champion who is determined to do whatever it takes to keep the gold. The addition of this fight makes the EFC 99 card a double championship affair. The card will certainly continue to gain new additions but, for now, the card sits at six exciting confirmed bouts.