Debut event for Barebones MMA championships

Cape Town’s mixed martial arts (MMA) scene is set to receive a major boost with the introduction of a new amateur MMA promotion, Barebones MMA Championships (BMC).

Spearheaded by Lyndall Sandenbergh, this initiative aims to inject fresh blood into MMA development in the Western Cape.

The inaugural event, accordingly titled “1 Genesis” is scheduled to take place on Saturday July 13 in Melkbosstrand. The evening promising to be a thrilling spectacle for fighters and fans alike.

BMC can play a significant role in a landscape where the only professional MMA promotion in South Africa, EFC, has centralised its events at the High Performance Institute in Johannesburg.

This move has left other parts of the country, including Cape Town, with limited opportunities to witness fights at the highest professional level.

While BMC is not stepping in to fill a void as what they offer is amateur competition, the competitive platform and exposure will go a long way in honing the skills of local fighters while equally making sure they don't lose the love for the sport.

Amateur fighters participating in BMC’s debut event will have the opportunity to be the first to compete for the BMC belt.

The inaugural event marks the beginning of what is hoped to be a long and successful journey for both the promotion and the fighters.

In recent years, South African fighters have made their mark on the international stage, competing in renowned promotions such as UFC, ONE FC, UAE Warriors, and BRAVE CF.

These achievements underscore the depth of talent and hunger present in the country. However, without a robust amateur circuit, aspiring fighters can struggle to gain the necessary experience to reach these heights.

“1 Genesis” will feature a mix of adult amateurs and youth fighters, many of whom have at least five amateur fights under their belts.

Promising prospects including Zaahir Abrahams and Ezra Perrang are among the fighters set to compete in BMC’s first event.