Two men from Motherwell are making a name for themselves in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) — and they hope their achievements will inspire the children in their neighbourhood to strive for a better life.
“We are just two kids from Motherwell chasing our dreams,” 25-year-old Sisa Jungula said.
“Where we come from, crime and poverty are major problems, but I hope our hard work and accolades show people that good can also come from here.”
Jungula celebrated his showstopping win at Africa’s premier MMA promotion, Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), on Thursday night when he left his opponent out cold on the canvas.
On the same night, his teammate from the PE Submission Fighting Academy in Gqeberha, Lihle “Rush” Ngamntwini, 23, put on a dominant performance to put himself on the shortlist for potential title contenders in the promotion’s flyweight division.
“To think there might be some kids walking around Motherwell after watching us fight, thinking they can achieve greatness, is an amazing feeling.
“Even if we can encourage just one person to be better, I see it as a win,” Ngamntwini said.
Uncertain of their futures growing up in one of the poorer parts of Nelson Mandela Bay, Jungula and Ngamntwini found a way out of their circumstances when they walked through the doors at the fighting academy, one of the top MMA gyms in SA.
Over the past four years, under the tutelage of head coach Chris Bright, the two training partners climbed through the local MMA ranks before signing with the EFC where Ngamntwini holds a professional record of four wins and one defeat, while Jungula is undefeated after two bouts.
Last week, Ngamntwini put his name forward as a top contender in the division with a victory over Johannesburg’s Kelvin Smit.
In the opening round, Ngamntwini landed a devastating body blow that dropped Smit.
The referee’s call that the blow was below the belt left many onlookers scratching their heads, and the decision gave Smit an opportunity to recover and compose himself.
However, Ngamntwini’s relentless pace proved too much, and he dropped Smit several more times on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
“The fight should have been stopped in the first round, but the ref made the call and we had to keep fighting.
“I felt confident going into the fight because I had one hell of a training camp, and the game plan I worked on with my coach played out perfectly.
“Nothing beats the feeling of getting your hand raised after a hard fight,” Ngamntwini said.
By contrast, Jungula did not leave his win in the hands of the judges.
After being rocked by a hard blow from Pretoria’s Tebogo Ntene early in the first round, the Motherwell fighter managed to wrestle his way out of danger and finished the round on top.
Shortly after the opening bell of the second round, he threw an overhand right that starched Ntene, forcing the referee to step in and call an end to the bout.
“I got careless in the first round, and it almost cost me the fight. But during the break, coach Chris told me what I needed to do to.
“I had practised that overhand punch so many times during training and feeling it land flush was so sweet.”
Asked what was next for him, Jungula said he would discuss his future with Bright in the weeks to come.
“Obviously we are always chasing titles, but Rush was in the division before me so I will happily wait my turn while he climbs to the top of this division.”
Ngamntwini, meanwhile, said there were hints from the EFC that a title shot could be around the corner for him, but he was in no hurry.
“I am still young. I don’t want to be hasty when I am not ready yet. The title will come when I am ready for it.
“And when that happens, Sisa and I are going to run this division.
“We are the best flyweights in the EFC and when we climb to the top we will keep the number one and two spots for as long as we like.
“This is Motherwell’s division now,” Ngamntwini said.
The Herald
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