EFC 133: Badat Puts Welterweight Gold On The Line

EFC 133 arrives in May with the welterweight division front and center, as South Africa’s Zaakir Badat defends his title against former champion Ziko Makengele of the DRC. It is the kind of matchup that carries real tension, with current momentum meeting former championship pedigree in a fight that feels built for drama.

Badat’s Rising Reign

Badat has grown into one of the most complete athletes on the EFC roster, pairing high-level grappling with striking that has become more dangerous with every outing. That evolution has turned him into a difficult puzzle for anyone in the division, because he can win a fight in more than one way and keeps getting sharper with experience.

This title defence is another chance to reinforce that status. For Badat, it is not just about keeping the belt — it is about showing that his reign is built on real depth, not just a run of good nights.

Makengele Wants His Crown Back

Across from him stands Ziko Makengele, a former champion with power, presence, and the kind of confidence that comes from having already stood at the top. He returns with one clear objective: to remind everyone that his best days are not behind him and that the welterweight throne is still within reach.

That makes this a classic championship collision. Badat brings momentum and refinement, while Makengele brings experience and a former champion’s belief that he can still reclaim what was once his.

South African Spotlight

EFC has always been one of the strongest proving grounds in African MMA, and EFC 133 keeps that tradition alive with a major title fight in one of the promotion’s key divisions. Welterweight gold has a way of producing the division’s best fights, and this one has the ingredients to be right there among them.

The event airs on Sunday, 24 May at 1900 CEST on Extreme, giving fans a prime slot to watch the division take center stage. With championship stakes, national pride, and two athletes at different points in their journeys, EFC 133 has all the signs of a night that could reshape the welterweight picture.