Mixed martial arts fighter Luthando “Shorty” Biko is the first MMA fighter from the Eastern Cape to bring home an Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) world title.
Born and bred in Kwazakhele, where he still lives with his parents and young child, Biko is now the toast of his community and Nelson Mandela Bay.
In early November, combatants from around SA, as well as several international fighters, battled it out at GrandWest Casino in Cape Town at the glitzy EFC 75 event.
Biko fought in the co-main event for the EFC Interim Bantamweight title.
The 29-year-old, who fights out of the Port Elizabeth Submission Fighting Academy, took on Cal “Pacino” Ellenor, 26, from Sunderland in the UK.
He managed to neutralize the Brit’s 15cm reach advantage and 30cm height advantage by keeping it a close-quarters battle on the fence and on the ground throughout.
Although Ellenor fought hard, trying multiple offensive techniques, he simply could not shake Biko’s pressure.
Biko, who stands a diminutive 1.58m (5ft 2in) in his socks, took the bout by unanimous decision after five rounds.
For a Herculean effort in one of the toughest sports, The Herald – in association with SPAR Eastern Cape – is proud to honour the man from Kwazakhele as our Homegrown Hero for November.
HERALD: Congratulations Luthando. How does it feel to be a world champion?
BIKO: Very emotional, to be honest. I’m just so proud to be able to bring this belt back to my hometown. It feels so good to be the first man from Port Elizabeth to fight for this title and to get the job done.
I was really moved to see the reception waiting for me at the PE airport and back in Kwazakhele and to see how happy it made so many people.
HERALD: You went into the fight as the heavy underdog – did that work in your favour?
BIKO: Looking back, I suppose it did. I may have been the underdog in the eyes of the pundits, but climbing into the ring against Cal, I knew I could beat him. It was no accident that I won the title. I’d put in up to six hours a day in training in preparing for the fight so there really was no secret recipe.
HERALD: Your journey to MMA fighting is an interesting one?
BIKO: I grew up in the world of judo and competed provincially, nationally and internationally. In 2016 I won the Judo Commonwealth title in the 60kg category at NMU’s south campus. By then I’d already started dabbling in mixed martial arts because I wanted to grow as an athlete.
I’d realised I could not go much further in judo because of a lack of sponsorship opportunities and in March 2017 I took the plunge and went into MMA fulltime.
HERALD: How dangerous is the sport of MMA?
BIKO: Look, you’re going to take a hit or two but like boxing it comes with the territory. I’ve been fortunate so far and in five professional fights, the first time I needed stitches was after winning that belt against Cal.
HERALD: Only five pro fights and now a world champion – so where to now?
BIKO: Well, I definitely want to fight overseas and go further – a unification bout would be first prize. I’m still young for this sport and know I still have a lot to offer MMA. I’m waiting for the call now for that next big fight. Biko’s coach, Chris Bright, agrees that his protégé has only just scratched the surface and has still to fulfill his promise.
“He has a great mindset and I believe he can only get better and better,” Bright said.
“He lost his debut fight as a professional but he is hardworking, humble, grounded and so physically talented it’s ridiculous. He might be short in stature but he definitely does not give up an inch in the ring.”
The world certainly would appear to be Biko’s oyster as he looks towards a possible New Year’s Eve fight in Japan, followed by more EFC action in March or April 2019.
For now though, the people’s champion uses the taxi every day to get to the PE Submission Fighting Academy at King’s Court – if his fellow passengers are lucky he’ll have that cool world title belt with him.