MMA
EFC 135 Preview: How to watch hard-hitting MMA live and free on DAZN
Watch EFC 135 live and free on DAZN!
Mixed martial arts has never been stronger in Africa. Over the past two decades, the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC)Â has established itself as the continent's premier MMA promotion, providing a stage for established champions, rising prospects and some of the best fighters from across Africa.
That continues on Thursday night as EFC 135 arrives at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in Johannesburg, headlined by a bantamweight championship clash between reigning champion Faeez Jacobs and former flyweight king Gift Walker.
With championship gold on the line and a card featuring experienced contenders alongside emerging talent, EFC 135 offers another showcase of African MMA - and fans around the world can watch it live and free on DAZN.
When is EFC 135?
EFC 135 takes place on Thursday, July 2, at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The event is headlined by the EFC Bantamweight Championship, with five additional professional contests scheduled across the main card and prelims.
EFC 135 fight card
- Faeez Jacobs (c) vs Gift Walker — EFC Bantamweight Championship
- Emmanuel Sita vs Khanyo Maqam — Lightweight bout
- Jaden van der Merwe vs Josiah Obasi – Light Heavyweight bout
- Jessica Mouneimne vs Nicole van Wyk — Strawweight bout
- Eduardo Barros vs Mlungisi Mbizane Jr — Bantamweight bout
- Yaseen Adams vs Guide Moyo — Featherweight bout
Jacobs and Walker collide with the bantamweight title on the line
The headline attraction sees reigning bantamweight champion Faeez Jacobs defend his title against one of the promotion's most accomplished fighters.
Jacobs enters with a 13-6 professional record and will be looking to strengthen his position at the top of the division, while challenger Gift Walker (8-3) has the chance to become a champion in a second EFC weight class after previously capturing the promotion's flyweight title.
It is a meeting between two proven competitors who know what it takes to win on the biggest stage, making it a fitting main event for one of EFC's standout cards of the year.
Experience meets ambition in the co-main event
The lightweight co-main event sees Emmanuel Sita take on Khanyo Maqam.
Sita brings almost twice as many professional bouts into the contest, while Maqam continues his rise with a 2-1 record and the opportunity to claim another notable victory.
Although neither fighter enters with championship gold, both will be eager to build momentum in a competitive lightweight division.
Unbeaten Obasi looks to continue perfect start
One of the night's most intriguing contests comes in the light heavyweight division.
Unbeaten Josiah Obasi puts his 3-0 professional record on the line against Jaden van der Merwe, who enters the bout with a 3-1 record.
With both fighters still early in their professional careers, the contest offers another opportunity to see two promising talents continue their development under the EFC banner.
Emerging talent throughout the card
Women's strawweight is represented by Jessica Mouneimne and Nicole van Wyk, with both fighters looking to continue building their professional records.
Elsewhere, Eduardo Barros faces Mlungisi Mbizane Jr in a bantamweight contest, while the preliminary card features unbeaten featherweight Yaseen Adams against the experienced Guide Moyo, who brings 12 professional bouts into the matchup.
Together, the card reflects the blend of established names and emerging prospects that has become a hallmark of EFC.
How to watch EFC 135 on DAZN
Fans around the world can watch EFC 135 live and free on DAZN (excluding Sub-Saharan Africa and Poland).
Simply register for a free DAZN account to stream the event live or watch on demand after the action concludes.
The DAZN app is available across:
- Smart TVs
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Streaming devices
- Games consoles
- Web browsers
