This evening history was made for Zimbabwe, the country alongside the whole world witnessed the crowning of yet another Zimbabwean mixed martial arts champion.

Sylvester “The Gladiator” Chipfumbu is the EFC Bantamweight champion, this was confirmed by the judges who gave their decision unanimously.

The main event at EFC 85 was the fight of the night, as it delivered on the action, the thrill and the hurt business.

Chipfumbu had good forward pressure to start the fight. Jacobs dropped Chipfumbu with a straight right, but Chipfumbu recovered well. It was a very close and entertaining first round. It looked like a 10-9 round for Jacobs.

The fighters get ready to start the second round

The majority of the second round was fought in the clinch as both fighters looked to slow down the action. Chipfumbu ended the round doing the most work from the top position.

In the third round Chipfumbu scored an early takedown. Both fighters worked from the ground and Jacobs showed the desire to keep busy. The referee bizarrely stood the fighters late in the round. In the closing seconds of the round Chipfumbu picked up Jacobs and dropped him with ease.

At the end of the third round it was Chipfumbu with two clear rounds won.

The Championship rounds

In the fourth round Chipfumbu come out with a lot of pressure but it was meant to force Jacobs into the clinch. Furthermore, Chipfumbu scored another takedown after working Jacobs on the fence. Jacobs quickly got up he was determined to close the gap. Chipfumbu threw some good punches and knees before scoring another takedown. A few more takedowns came from Chipfumbu to close out the round.

The fifth and final round.

Jacobs was hunting for a finish. He came with a lot of pressure and connected the most in the opening exchanges between the fighters. Chipfumbu utilized strong leg and body kicks to keep Jacobs at bay, who had superior striking.

That said, Jacobs managed to walk down Chipfumbu and catch him with some clean shots. And Chipfumbu picked up Jacobs on his shoulder and drilled him into the canvas with 1:30 to go in the round. That was a massive exclamation mark on the round.

Chipfumbu showed a great fight IQ and closed out the fight working very well from the guard.

Fighters embrace at the end of the fifth round

The judges scored the fight 48-47, 50-45, 49-46.

Chipfumbu is the new EFC Bantamweight champion via split decision.

 

The post appeared first on .