EFC 137 takes place at the WSB EFC Arena in Sandton on Thursday the 10th of September with Faeez Jacobs facing Shadrack Yemba for the EFC Interim Featherweight Championship. We preview the Main Event and two additional Main Card fights below.
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FAEEZ JACOBS vs SHADRACK YEMBA
EFC Interim Featherweight Championship Fight – Main Event:
Faeez Jacobs enters this title fight with an EFC record of 13 wins and 4 losses. The experienced South African has earned victories by knockout, submission and decision during his time in the promotion through utilizing his well-balanced skillset.
Jacobs defeated Gift Walker by unanimous decision in July 2026 after stopping Trent Girdham in the third round. He has now won six consecutive EFC contests and enters this fight in excellent form having defended his belt 3 times in the last 2 years.
Shadrack Yemba holds a flawless resume of 6 wins without a loss under the institution. He has recorded three knockouts, two submissions and one decision victory inside the organisation with each of his stoppages coming before the third round.
Yemba last fought in May 2026 when he stopped Hanru Botha with a knee to the body in the second round. He had previously defeated Roberto Miyaba by unanimous decision and submitted Steven Goncalves as well as Tapiwa Katikati.
BETTING – click here to bet
Jacobs 1.45
Yemba 2.60
PREDICTION:
Jacobs possesses the greater EFC experience but Yemba is undefeated and dangerous wherever the fight takes place. Despite this I believe Jacob’s combination of power and submission ability should allow him to take control as the contest develops and I am expecting Jacobs to secure a stoppage victory in the championship rounds.
LUKE MICHAEL vs JT BOTHA
Middleweight – Co-Main Event:
Luke Michael comes into the Co-Main Event holding a tally of 8 wins and 7 losses in the promotion. He has built his reputation around his grappling ability when the fight hits the canvas as well as his clean striking.
Michael suffered a third-round TKO defeat against Diego Bandu in his latest appearance. He had previously defeated Siyaku Dumiso by unanimous decision and remains a major threat on the ground despite dropping a fight to Zaakir Badat by submission in 2024.
JT Botha enters this contest with an EFC record of 3 wins and 3 losses. All three of his victories inside the promotion have come by knockout in the opening round although his aggressive style leaves him vulnerable at times.
Botha stopped Mzwandile Hlongwa in the first round in April 2026, bouncing back from a decision defeat against Siyaku Dumiso. Prior to that he beat Khulekani Hlongwa by ground and pound but had lost his previous fight to Kaleka Kabanda by submission.
BETTING – click here to bet
Michael 1.60
Botha 2.25
PREDICTION:
Botha carries the greater knockout threat, while Michael is the more experienced and versatile fighter. If Michael survives the early pressure, his grappling should become increasingly effective and I see him catching Botha with a submission later in the fight.
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JOSIAH OBASI vs GERMAN KOKAEV
Middleweight – Main Card Bout:
Josiah Obasi will make his EFC return on Thursday after making his debut just months ago. The undefeated South African has four professional victories and has shown the ability to win by both stoppage and decision.
Obasi earned a split decision victory over Jaden van der Merwe in July 2026 after previously defeating Joel Tiffo, Stefan Pretorius and Stefan Booysen under the Versus Fight Night organisation.
German Kokaev will steps into the cage this week making his debut for the EFC. The Russian brings considerably more professional experience but has not competed since March 2024.
Kokaev lost that fight by second-round knockout against Temirkhan Temirkhanov although he was riding a three-fight winning streak before that with victories over Shamil Gasanbekov and Abubakar Temirgereev by knockout and a decision triumph over Ali Khadashev.
BETTING – click here to bet
Obasi 2.05
Kokaev 1.70
PREDICTION:
Kokaev holds the experience advantage but his lengthy absence could work against him. Obasi is unbeaten and has competed twice in 2026 meaning he comes into this fight in good condition. I expect the South African to manage the exchanges and earn a decision victory.
Suggested Bet: The Treble, Jacobs, Michael and Obasi to win at 4.76
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
