WKS Africa launched its first show in Milnerton this past weekend delivering 14 intense bouts and two nail-biting Title fights. Picture: Lee Johnson, MzansiMMA
Image: Lee Johnson, MzansiMMA
WKS Africa crowned its first two champions at its inaugural event, which took place in Cape Town this past weekend.At the Italian Club on Donegal Street, 28 amateur and pro-am athletes from across Africa descended on Milnerton to showcase their kickboxing talents, as the World Kickboxing Series set sail in Africa.
The event aimed to drive the development of African K-1 talent while deepening the discipline’s pool, better preparing athletes for the world stage, with an eye firmly fixed on the WKS International leg.
Fighters from Zimbabwe, the DRC, and South Africa stepped into the hallowed WKS ring to test their mettle, prove their heart, honour their practice, and grow before frenzied fans, family members and support systems, as combat sport continues to expand holistically across South Africa.
The night — filled with drama, action, thrills, entertainment, exhilaration, blood, sweat, and tears — produced countless highlight-reel moments. The fight card delivered high-stakes, chess match–like battles, alongside knockouts, doctor stoppages, and razor-close decision bouts.
The fight of the night was arguably the bantamweight grand prix elimination bout between Thando Mahlangu (Triple Threat Dojo) and Jiyaad Diedericks (Fighterz Inc.) for a place in the WKS Bantamweight Title final.
The contest was electrifying from start to finish. In Round 1, Diedericks initiated the exchanges aggressively, firing a thunderous kick to Mahlangu’s midsection and disrupting his rhythm with swift, consecutive calf kicks. Despite this, Mahlangu maintained his composure.
In Round 2, Mahlangu made key adjustments. He successfully closed the distance with sharp boxing, delivered with a superb blend of speed and power. Mahlangu forced Diedericks onto the back foot with furious punch combinations, while sneaking in accurately placed knees to the body. Diedericks received an eight-count but managed to rise.
From that moment, Mahlangu capitalised on Diedericks’ hesitation and became the aggressor through Rounds 2 and 3. The crowd erupted with every damaging strike from both fighters. Although Diedericks was the clear crowd favourite, it was the underdog, Mahlangu, who secured the victory and advanced to the grand prix final.
In the first grand prix final, Thando Mahlangu squared off against Khululekani Zenani (Corvus MMA) for the WKS Bantamweight Title.
The fight unfolded as a technical and tactical affair. In Round 1, Mahlangu controlled the ring, firing chopping low kicks to Zenani’s lead leg and disrupting his rhythm. He followed with a straight-left, right-hook combination that forced Zenani onto the back foot. Zenani attempted to clinch and land body knees as Mahlangu closed the distance to box, but Mahlangu maintained success at close range, forcing the taller Zenani to comply.
Round 2 saw the southpaw Mahlangu use sharp footwork to box on angles. This strategy paid off when a straight left pierced the centre line and opened a cut above Zenani’s eyebrow. Mahlangu’s elusive movement and crisp counters continued to disrupt Zenani’s timing. Zenani again attempted to neutralise the boxing by clinching and landing body knees.
In Round 3, Zenani began to counter Mahlangu’s forward pressure with unrelenting body kicks, controlling much of the distance for the round. Mahlangu increased the volume of his boxing whenever he managed to get into close range. After three hard-fought rounds, the fight went to the judges, and Mahlangu was crowned the new WKS Bantamweight Champion.
In the second grand prix final, Brett Hessop (Triple Threat Dojo) faced Rais Hoosain (Bushido) for the WKS Featherweight Title.
In Round 1, Hoosain landed crisp, clean strikes while Hessop remained unfazed. Hessop drove Hoosain into the corner with a jab–straight right combination and unleashed a relentless onslaught to both head and body. He implemented a long-range strategy, using push kicks to keep Hoosain at bay, while mixing in a jab–low kick combination to keep him guessing.
Round 2 saw Hessop press forward with continuous straight punches, prompting Hoosain to counter, only to be repeatedly kept out of range by Hessop’s push kicks. Eventually, Hoosain found his rhythm, using stiff jabs to halt Hessop’s advance. He then forced Hessop backwards and landed an explosive jumping knee. Hessop’s evasive movement resurfaced.
In Round 3, Hoosain grew more comfortable, controlling the ring space and landing fluid combinations. Hessop became noticeably less offensive, throwing only when darting into range. In the latter half of the round, Hessop attempted a defensive push kick against Hoosain’s punches, but stumbled backwards through the ropes. Despite the stunned gasps from the crowd, he quickly recovered and fought bravely until the final bell.
Both fighters left their hearts in the ring in this nail-biting encounter, and Hessop was crowned the new WKS Featherweight Champion.
Fight 1: Alexandre Ribeiro beat Chaz Picolo via unanimous decision. (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
Fight 2: Shannon Mbanje beat Damon Mckenzie via surrender in the first round. (LIGHTWEIGHT)
Fight 3: Alec Abdinor beat Wanda de Beer via split decision (FEATHERWEIGHT)
Fight 4: Thabiso Cingo beat Kiran Jeffrey via unanimous decision (FEATHERWEIGHT)
Fight 5: Kabongo Tony beat Cameron Welgemoed via doctor’s stoppage before the final and third round. (WELTERWEIGHT)
Fight 6: Rachelle Seyfferdt beat Zoe Klaasen via unanimous decision (FEATHERWEIGHT)
Fight 7: Thierry Pingiyabu beat Chadwin October via unanimous decision. (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)
Fight 8: Cruz Wyngaard beat Kenneth Wallace via doctor’s stoppage. (WELTERWEIGHT PRO-AM)
Fight 9: Thando Mahlangu beat Jiyaad Diedericks via unanimous decision. (BANTAMWEIGHT ELIM PRO-AM)
Fight 10: Khululekani Zenani vs Denzil Mahove via split decision (BANTAMWEIGHT ELIM PRO-AM) Fight 11: Brett Heslop beat Jeetesh Maharoo via KO in the second round. (FEATHERWEIGHT ELIM PRO-AM)
Fight 12: Rais Hoosain beat Jean Claude Dixon via split decision. (FEATHERWEIGHT ELIM PRO-AM)
Fight 13: Magloire Mago Mutabi beat Frank Ngoka via unanimous decision (MIDDLEWEIGHT PRO-AM)
Fight 14: Bafana Moseke beat Ali Nyerere via unanimous decision (WELTERWEIGHT PRO-AM).
BANTAMWEIGHT FINALS: Thando Mahlangu beat Khululekani Zenani via split decision.
FEATHERWEIGHT FINALS: Brett Heslop beat Rais Hoosain via split decision.