Soldierboy Vs Lesar set to headline biggest EFC event of the year

Johannesburg South Africa – Rival #TF2 coaches, are set to collide in the main event of EFC 80. Former champ and former UFC middleweight, Garreth McLellan will go head-to-head with #TF1 winner, Brendan Lesar for the interim EFC middleweight championship. Plus, the #TF2 Finale sees the culmination of a 10-week long journey for two female warriors who fought and beat their way to the finals of the hit reality show. All this and more live from the home of African MMA, Carnival City, Johannesburg on Saturday 29 June.

It has been just under 5 years since fans saw McLellan fight under the bright lights in the Hexagon. The arena where he built his world-renowned craft and his name became synonymous with the sport on the continent.

Half a decade ago, ‘Soldierboy’ faced the surging Dricusdu Plessis in a back-and-forth battle that will be remembered for ages to come. A fight he ultimately won via submission and handed Du Plessis his only loss in the Hexagon.

Shortly after that historic night, McLellan was scouted by Las Vegas based promotion, UFC and fought around the world.

Now the legendary African soldier is back, more tacticaland better than ever. Having earned his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blackbelt in his absence, he has returned to claim the title he never lost.

Lesar rose from obscurity on #TF1. Chosen last in the team selections, he fought and won more than anyone else in the house to claim the title of The Fighter, season 1 champion. A guaranteed title and a six-figure EFC contract in the bag. He battled his way through some of the world’s best undefeated prospects, beating the odds time and time again.

In the finale against Ibrahima Mané from France, he made it a dogfight. Controlling the action for almost all the bout, before catching a devastating shin to the face. He survived the onslaught to claim the unanimous decision.

His tenacity to overcome has been the leading characteristic of his career. No matter how overwhelmed he has seemed, Lesar has found a way. In the words of fans and pundits, “He is not a man you want to bet against.”