MMA stars fighting for a better life

It may seem savage to some, fighting in a cage to make a living.  But for two Gqeberha fighters, mixed martial arts has provided an escape from poverty and a life of crime, making them a beacon of hope for others in the impoverished neighbourhood of Kwazakhele they both call home.

Beyond the bloodied and battered bodies, the bruises and even broken bones, Luthando “Shorty” Biko and Sindile “The Ghost” Manengela find ways to balance their rigorous training schedules, teach martial arts classes and spend time with their families.

The two childhood friends and stablemates, under the coaching of Chris Bright at the PE Submission Fighting Academy (Pesfa), are on the cusp of greatness as both are fighting for titles in Africa’s premier MMA promotion, Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), in the near future.

“If it wasn’t for judo and MMA, I have no idea where I would have ended up,” Biko said.

“In the area where I stay, poverty is rife and options are limited. Chances are I would have been in prison, or even dead.”

The 32-year-old lives in a flat at the back of the house where he grew up with his mother and two siblings.

Having had hardly any contact with his father, Biko said he and his brother had assumed the role and responsibilities of providing for their mother and sister.

It was Biko’s brother who introduced him to judo at an early age, and he quickly climbed the ranks.

After school he was employed as a professional athlete with the Eastern Cape Academy of Sport and represented SA in judo at international level on multiple occasions, even achieving a Commonwealth gold medal in his weight division.

“My transition into MMA came through Sindile [Manengela].”

Biko cruised through the amateur MMA scene. His professional debut was, however, a bitter pill to swallow as the bright lights and Gauteng altitude took their toll, and the fight ended in defeat.

However, that loss fuelled him into amassing an impressive string of victories and the admiration of his neighbours and the children of Kwazakhele.

His sister Unathi, 21, said her brother’s growth as a fighter, a man and a father to his three-year-old son, Lithemba, was an inspiration to everyone around him.

“He is a celebrity around here, and I am so proud of everything he has achieved.

“Win or lose, he will always be a champion to me,” Unathi said.

With a record of eight wins and two losses, Biko is now looking to cement his position as the best flyweight in SA when he faces former champ Nkazimulo Zulu for the vacant title on September 11 in Johannesburg.

Instrumental in his preparation for this fight is his friend, mentor and “team captain” Sindile Manengela, who is also knocking on the EFC bantamweight champion’s door.

The 38-year-old grew up around the corner from Biko. While his parents lived in Kwazakhele, he opted to live with his uncle and aunt in the neighbouring township of Zwide.

After three years of working at a local car manufacturer, he left his job as it was interfering with his training as part of the SA elite judo squad. He later started his own judo school with training partner Peter Anderhold, and through judo training came into contact with MMA competitors.

“I breezed through my amateur career, but got a rude awakening when I turned pro.

“Only once I changed camps and started training with Chris Bright did things really start to fall into place.”

Manengela’s fight record is a mixed bag of results, with seven wins and six losses.

However, his current three-fight winning streak has secured him a shot at the EFC bantamweight champion, Zimbabwe’s Sylvester Chipfumbu, in October.

His success is however not enough to convince his girlfriend Andiswa Citwa, 34, to watch his fights.

“I cannot watch. When he gets hurt, it’s like I’m getting hurt. I usually just wait for his phone call after the fights to hear if he won or lost.

“I just want him to come home safely to Tiny and myself.”

Tiny — or Asindiswa — is their two-year-old daughter, and Manengela’s ultimate motivation.

“Since her birth I have not lost a fight. What I do, I do for her,” he said.

But the road of the fighter is not an easy one and besides living from pay cheque to pay cheque, they sacrifice a lot in pursuit of achieving champion status. Fortunately, they have the expert guidance of retired fighter and SA MMA legend Chris Bright.    

“People see the limelight of fighting on TV, but they don’t realise that is just the tip of the iceberg,” Bright said.

“What very few people see is what goes on behind the scenes and the hard work, dedication and sacrifice it takes to get to the level Shorty and Sindile have reached.”

A typical day at Pefsa starts at 9am. For about three hours athletes run through drills, explore possible scenarios that could play out in a real fight, and put in round after round of tiring boxing, kick-boxing, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Then, when most of the amateur fighters leave, Biko and Manengela start their second training session, involving strength training and conditioning.

After a short rest they return to the gym to teach children’s boxing and grappling classes, which form part of the academy’s talent development and “anti-bullying” programmes.

And while this schedule seems gruelling, the intensity of training sessions is ramped up significantly once a fight promotion books these athletes for a fight.

EFC Worldwide vice-president and matchmaker Graeme Cartmell said he was excited to welcome the Pesfa team back to the ring in September and October.

“When Sindile and Shorty set foot in that hexagon, you just know it’s going to be a cracker of a fight.”

HeraldLIVE