Star-studded EFC 123 card features international matchups
When JC Lamprecht added his name to the list of legends at EFC 106 by taking a third-round tap from fellow veteran Mzwandile Hlongwa, it was the start of a career typified by sacrifice and warfare stretching back 13 years.
His very last defeat in that timeline was to current teammate and sparring partner Dricus du Plessis, but since then Lamprecht remained undefeated upon the path to the belt which he will defend for the very first time at the World Sports Betting Arena on May 8, in Paulshof.
But his preparations have now been marred by his opponent pulling out of the bout due to illness, handing the incredible opportunity of a title contender to one of central Brazil's best mixed-martial artists, Édson 'The Gladiator' Silva.
Also read: Bomber knocks out Anthony Morel for EFC Heavyweight gold
After turning pro relatively recently in 2021, Silva has notched up 10 high-level performances, winning several belts and competing six times in the highly-respected Jungle Fight, the home promotion of UFC stars such as Johnnie Walker, Renato Moicano and Erick Silva.
A jiu-jitsu specialist, training with Paulistenio Rocha in Rio Verde, and blessed with a mean right hand that has felled several opponents, Silva will feel right at home with the Jozi altitude, considering he lives in the highlands of the Goiás plateau in central Brazil.
He now slots straight into the main event for the third title fight of his career against the tactical powerhouse that is Lamprecht, who has yet to go the distance in his entire professional career.
Also read: EFC Contender Series season 2 concludes with thrilling fights and rising stars
With 12 bouts in total, the numeric lodestone event of EFC 123 is set to be one of the biggest events in African combat sports this year, with those three intercontinental title fights and that stacked card in its entirety below:
Main Card
LHW Title Bout – JC Lamprecht vs Édson Silva
Vacant WFLW Title – Bout Amanda Lino vs Mariana Salles
Vacant FLW Title Bout – Willie van Rooyen vs Kleberson Sousa
Flyweight Bout – Terence Balelo vs Marcio Oliveira
Welterweight Bout – Peace Nguphane vs Jaco du Plessis
Read more: EFC fighter's championship dreams put on hold after stunning loss to 'The Kid'
Preliminary Card
Bantamweight Bout – Moses Mokhari vs Gift Walker
Featherweight – Bout Mpho Hloka vs Francis Martin
Catchweight Bout – Zhane Tannous vs Mark Kamba
Lightweight Bout – Marcel Els vs Emmanuel Sita
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Maseko omission raises questions ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns' Club World Cup campaign
Bafana Bafana's Thapelo Maseko was a notable omission from the Mamelodi Sundowns squad that departed for the Fifa Club World Cup on Sunday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The absence of promising winger Thapelo Maseko from Mamelodi Sundowns' squad for the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup has ignited a swirl of speculation concerning his future at the club. Not too long ago, the 21-year-old captured the imagination of the African football fraternity with his achievements, notably clinching the African Football League Player of the Tournament title in November 2023. He was also the leading goalscorer in the inaugural continental competition, which Sundowns won. Subsequently, he secured international caps with Bafana Bafana during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), but now finds his future shrouded in uncertainty. Despite this meteoric rise, Maseko has seen a sharp decrease in his game time this season, leading many to question whether internal adjustments within the squad could be at play. The #FIFACWC trophy made a special stop at Ukuthula Lodge, surrounded by the stunning beauty of Africa as Masandawana's journey roars onward. 🏆🦁 Watch the full experience on our Youtube Channel. 📲 #TakeItToTheWorld #RabatsenaGape — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) June 8, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ His undeniable talent and previous contributions to Sundowns' victories had endeared him to fans, making his absence from the team more conspicuous as they prepare for a high-stakes tournament in the United States. Alongside Maseko, the confirmed 23-man squad for the World Cup is noteworthy for the exclusion of several players who have been worthy acquisitions at Sundowns. Among these omissions is Jody February, the recently re-signed goalkeeper, who had surgery just days before the team's departure to the US. In the defensive ranks, Lucas Suárez, the Uruguayan import, also missed out as he continues to acclimatise to the nuances of local football. His struggles on the pitch have rendered him less impactful compared to teammates like Mosa Lebusa — particularly after an unfortunate blunder during the Nedbank Cup semi-final against Kaizer Chiefs, who defeated Sundowns. At 30-years old, Suárez's prospects for a long-term deal appear slim, especially with emerging talents such as Keanu Cupido and Kegan Johannes, who also failed to make the tour party. Also notably absent from the line-up is Matías Esquivel, an Argentine playmaker on the brink of breaking through after a few cameo appearances. He has since fallen out of favour.
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Aaron Mokoena: Bafana Bafana's Afcon mission to ‘raise the bar'
Mokoena though, said it was the best way for Bafana to prove themselves. Improving on their previous exploits, however, will be no easy feat as it would mean making the final of the African showpiece footballing event. Bafana famously went on to finish third at Afcon last year, and with the next tournament coming up in Morocco in December - the current crop of SA stars will have another chance to show how much progress they have made. Former Bafana Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena believes South Africa can go even further than they did at the previous Africa Cup of Nations ( Afcon ). Raising the Bar: South African Football's Triumphs and Future Prospects 'Going there, it's all about really raising the bar. It's never easy. I have tasted that. I know it's never easy to play in the African Cup of Nations. But I always say to be the best, you have to rub shoulders with the best. And on our continent, you get the best in the Africa Cup of Nations,' Mokoena told 'Hopefully, the guys will absolutely raise the bar. I think it's been a good year, not only for Bafana Bafana. Let's look from the bottom. We had under-17 qualify for the World Cup, the Under-20s have won the African Cup of Nations and have qualified for the World Cup, and now our Bafana have qualified for the African Cup of Nations. We're in a good position now to qualify for the World Cup as Bafana Bafana.' With Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates both making it to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League (the Brazilians also made it to the final), it was another satisfying year for SA football fans, believed Mokoena. 'I remember we came back with the bronze (AFCON 2024) and it's been a good year for South African football, really. I mean, we had Sundowns competing in the CAF Champions League, which is good for Bafana Bafana. We had Orlando Pirates competing in the Champions League. That's a plus. We had Stellenbosch competing in the Confederation Cup. 'So, the more we have teams competing in African competitions, the better for our South African football. I mean, next season, to show that there is a progression, there is growth among the players and the clubs, we will have four teams that will be participating in the African continent competition.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
We must stand tall as African teams at the Club World Cup in the US, says Komphela
Mamelodi Sundowns's Steve Komphela jetted off to the US – for the Club World Cup – on Sunday. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media Sundowns, however, are expected to draw closer scrutiny, particularly in light of recent political tensions between the two nations. Departing for the US this past Sunday, the South African champions will be among four African sides – alongside Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca and Espérance – aiming to showcase the strength and spirit of the continent — on and off the pitch. As Mamelodi Sundowns prepare to compete on football's global stage, senior coach Steve Komphela has called on the team to represent Africa with dignity, pride and purpose at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. Before the team departed from OR Tambo International Airport, Komphela delivered a rallying message of fearlessness in the face of global rivals. 'When I stand next to another colleague or counterpart who comes from anywhere in the world, as an African, I must also feel represented,' Komphela explained. 'I must stand there with pride, and also feel that I am human. There's a lot that we are fighting – it's not only football. 'The biggest mistake we make in our lives is to consider sport as merely sport. It's a war that is fought without weapons, where we fight for people who can't be there.' Komphela added that many misconceptions are directed towards Africans, and that sport must be used to dismantle them. 'All Africans who can't be at the World Cup are going to be represented by us, and we have to make sure that we represent them well,' he said. 'The myth and misconception of the world thinking Africa is one country – big mistake. We must teach that. 'The world thinks Africa is about disease and poverty – we have to get rid of such myths. When you go out there as an African, you must stand tall with pride and forget about the background.'
