MMA Republic Pound For Pound Rankings (EFC, Beginning 2019 )

In May 2018 we tried to establish an African Pound for Pound Ranking system with the top brass of EFC fighters. In this article we are updating the rankings with all the changes that have happened. To establish a ranking system we are considering,Amount of fights, Current win streak, Previous Opponents Perceived calibre, Titles held and fought for, title defenses, finish ratio and one or two other Items. The rankings are only looking at EFC Contracted fighters and .

10. Martin Van Staden (previous rank – 3)

Van Staaden is one of the pioneers of MMA in South Africa, with an outstanding record and has been competitively active for years. He won and lost the belt in 2018 in a highly close and controversial decision. He will get another shot at the belt in 2019 and a chance to become a 2 time lightweight champion.

9. Jared Vanderaa (previous rank – not ranked)

Picking up a heavyweight title solidified the calibre of the American native who now goes 8-3 as a professional. 2019 will bring some interesting challenges to that title as he tries to ascend his career to the pinnacle .

8. Luthando Biko (previous rank – not ranked)

Biko eclipsed a 5 fight win streak with the Interim Bantamweight belt late in 2019 , solidifying his place in Africa’s MMA elite. Biko spent a lot of time in a heavier weight class grinding out wu=ins where he finally returned to his natural weight class to claim a title. A unification bout with Bantamweight king JP buys awaits him in  2019

7. Gunther Kalunda (previous rank – not ranked)

Kalunda is unbeaten as a Pro MMA fighter and in the absence of the Welterweight champion he claimed the title against a formidable opponent. The DRC native has gone 5-0 earning him a spot in the rankings

6. Amanda Lino (previous rank – 10)

Lino is a Pioneer of women’s MMA and has gone to achieve the unthinkable. in 2018 she became a double division champion and re writing the history books yet again. She is without a doubt the women’s Pound for Pound Queen.

5. JP Buys (previous rank – 5)

JP is the youngest ever EFC champion who has claimed belts in 2 divisions as well as some impressive performances overseas. He is riding a 4 fight win streak with 2 belts in the EFC. The Bantamweight king will be looking to soar up the rankings in 2019

4. Nkazimulo Zulu (previous rank- 6)

Africa’s Flyweight King, “Zuluboy” has endured a lot in his MMA career and finally got to defend his title against a very dangerous opponent. Zulu had to dig deep into his experience archives to ensure he keeps his status as Flyweight King.

3. Igeu Kabesa (previous rank – 7)

Kabesa moved his record to an impressive 11-1 and has looked immense at Featherweight. Challengers have come from far and wide and only one has had the recipe to defeat him. He is undoubtedly one of the most talented MMA athletes on the African Continent .

2. Champion Dalcha (previous rank – 4)

Dalcha accomplished the impossible when he defeated the EFC Heavyweight goliath Andrew Van Zyl. He became the EFC’s 3rd double division champion and cemented himself as one of the biggest prospects in MMA globally.

1. Dricus Du Plessis (previous rank – 1)

There has been a lot of talk of Dricus Du plessis returning to the EFC very soon and still being in the conversation  keeps him as Africa’s Pound for Pound King. Dricus claimed a 3rd belt in 2 organizations in 2018 putting him at the summit of the rankings.