Nelson Mandela Bay’s first MMA champion received a hero’s welcome on Monday when he returned home from his gruelling fight at the Extreme Fighting Championship in Cape Town at the weekend.
Luthando “Shorty” Biko was crowned the organisation’s interim bantamweight champion Saturday night after a tough five-round battle with England’s Cal Ellenor, winning the clash via the judges’ decision.
“We executed our gameplan, shutting Cal down completely and kept him on the back foot,” Biko said, with a huge smile and the gleaming title belt strapped over his shoulder.
The Kwazakhele fighter showed off his wrestling skills, coming towards his opponent with relentless pace and keeping the Englishman on the back foot.
Ellenor, an experienced boxer, had no room to move and was unable to use his superior reach and striking skills.
“One of his uppercuts landed as I was coming in, but luckily it didn’t land flush and I was able to stay in his face and keep pushing the pace,” Biko said.
He said the welcome home was emotional for him, especially with his one-year-old son Lithemba coming to meet him.
“Seeing everyone there to welcome me was such a special moment. I don’t think the win has sunk in yet.”
Earlier on Saturday night, Biko’s teammate, Shane Higgins, won his professional MMA debut fight in spectacular fashion.
Much like Biko, Higgins’s frenetic pace set the tone for the fight. The Bloemendal fighter landed a lightningquick head-kick in the third round that spelled the end for his opponent.
“All thanks goes to the Lord, my family and my team, especially my coach Chris Bright who made this happen and gave us the tools to get the win,” Higgins said.
Bright, who is head coach at the PE Submission Fighting Academy, said he was proud of both his charges and their stellar performances.
“For Shorty as a fighter, and for me as a coach, this title obviously means a lot, but to see the welcome Shorty received when he got home, really made me realise how important this win was for his whole community,” Bright said.
“And despite the bright lights, the big stage, and the fact that Shane’s opponent changed three times leading up to the fight, it still didn’t faze him. He was still cool and calm and showcased just what he is capable of.”
Both fighters and Bright said they were unsure of who their next opponents would be, but would be back at training this week.
“Now the real work begins. Now Shorty and Shane will have more opponents looking to take a shot at them and we have to be ready for anyone that comes along,” Bright said.