EFC 124 takes place on Thursday, 5 June at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in Sandton. We take a closer look at three key Main Card bouts from a betting perspective, offering insights and suggested bets for each clash
Click here to bet on the full fight card
ZAAKIR BADAT vs SEGUN OGUNNOKI
EFC Welterweight Title Fight – Main Event:
Zaakir Badat is a fighter from South Africa who has had a successful run in the EFC, stepping onto the canvas 5 times and winning on each occasion.
He began his career under the institution in 2019 where he fought twice, winning both by round 1 knockout. He then went on to fight under UAE Warriors before making his return to the EFC in 2023. Since then, he has fought 3 times, winning all of them by round 1 finish with 2 by submission and 1 by knockout.
His most recent bout was held in December when he met with Luke Michael and beat him by rear naked choke to defend his title.
Segun Ogunnoki, fighting out of Abuja, Nigeria, is known for his talent in the field of striking and grappling. He has had an inconsistent campaign throughout his 10 fights, often battling to maintain any winning form.
All of his 10 fights have been within the African Knockout organization, where he has won 6 and lost the remaining 4. Of the 4 fights he has fallen short in, 3 of them have been via a decision loss, indicating he may lack stamina.
His most recent action took place in December when he battled it out against Daniel Emeka and lost by decision.
BETTING – click here to bet
Badat 1.12
Draw 26.00
Ogunnoki 6.50
PREDICTION:
I think that Badat will have no problem getting the win early on in this fight and I am predicting a round 1 submission victory.
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THIMNA MHLAULI vs SIBUSISO SOVENDLE
Bantamweight Co-Main Event:
Thimna Mhlauli, originating in Johannesburg, has been impressive over the last couple of years, making a name for himself in the EFC, winning all 4 of his fights comfortably.
He began his career with a round 2 knockout win and then went on to win his next fight by decision. Mhlauli then put up a stellar performance to win his 3rd fight by round 1 knockout and lengthen his undefeated streak.
He went up against Bheki Ngcobo less than two months ago where he beat him by rear naked choke in the 1st round.
Sibusiso Sovendle is a fighter from Pretoria who is known for his extreme stamina and effective striking. He has taken part in 8 EFC events, winning 5 of these fights while losing the other 3.
He made his debut in June 2023 meaning he has fought frequently over the last two years and kept in good shape.
The last time he fought was for the title against Faeez Jacobs at EFC 122 in April where he lost by a brutal round 1 head kick that was followed up by strikes.
BETTING – click here to bet
Mhlauli 1.35
Draw 26.00
Sovendle 3.20
PREDICTION:
I do believe that Sovendle is a special talent, and he possesses a ton of stamina, however, I think that Mhlauli will come out firing in this bout, striking hard before he takes Sovendle to the canvas and beats him by submission in round 3.
STEVEN GONCALVES vs SHADRICK DJU YEMBA
Featherweight Fight:
Steven Goncalves, fighting out of South Africa, has had a successful career within the organization. He began his run in the EFC back in 2017 where he fought 5 times consecutively and won 4 of them while losing 1.
He then left to fight at Brave CF where he struggled and lost most of his bouts, causing him to come back to the EFC in 2023.
Since his return he has beaten Tapiwa Katikati by decision and lost to Ayanda Zwane by decision in his most recent fight that took place over a year ago.
Shadrick Dju Yemba is a fighter born in the DRC, he now resides in Joburg and has been on solid form throughout his first 3 fights for the EFC, winning all of them by round 1 or round 2 stoppage.
He kicked his career off in 2024 with round 2 finishes against both Lucky Bosco and Nkosi Doyisa and brought this condition into his latest encounter where he took on Tapiwa Katikati and claimed a round 1 submission win with an anaconda choke.
BETTING – click here to bet
Goncalves 1.63
Draw 26.00
Dju Yemba 2.25
PREDICTION:
Although Goncalves enters Thursday night as the favourite, I think that Dju Yemba is a more dangerous fighter, and he will look to get the job done early and eventually catch Goncalves with a submission in round 2.
Suggested Bets:
Badat vs Ogunnoki
Badat by Ko, Tko or DQ at 1.28 – this price is short due to the one sided nature of the betting, I won’t play it straight up but will add to multiples.
Mhlauli vs Sovendle
Mhlauli by Ko, Tko or DQ at 2.20
Goncalves vs Dju Yemba
Dju Yemba by Ko, Tko or DQ at 2.80
THE TREBLE WORKS OUT AT 7.88
All 3 of my bets to arrive is 7.88 and here is the code if you want to follow 33972912
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
