Regis Muyambo looking for path back to becoming an EFC champion

CAPE TOWN – Regis Muyambo is a passionate man. A passionate friend. A passionate teacher. A passionate learner. And a passionate fighter.

He’s so passionate about Cape Town, he sports a tattoo of the breathtaking Table Mountain on his arm – and who can blame him?

“I always tell people that Cape Town is my home and Jiu Jitsu is my passion – two of many things that make me happy to be here,” says the Zimbabwean-born kid.

It’s so easy to identify his zest for life. Even through our conversation on the often-emotionless Whatsapp social media platform, his words echo excitement and drive.

And none more so than when he speaks about life in the Extreme Fighting Championship.

“The EFC has always been a dream of mine,” he says.

“Coming from a camp which had fighters like Bernado Mikixi, Gina Ifuki, Sibusiso Mdoko and Chris du Pont – watching them progress and being a part of it all made me feel like I could achieve my goal of being in the organisation, and one day becoming a champion.

“And there is a lot at stake in my next fight,” says Muyambo of his bout with Port Elizabeth’s Sindile Manengela at EFC 65 at Carnival City this weekend.

His words above could not bear any more truth.

As for Muyambo, aka Frostie, this three-round featherweight bout could determine whether he rises like an uppercut and continues on that route of “becoming a champion” sooner rather than later… or even at all.

If one looks at the Zimbabwean-born’s fight-card history, it doesn’t read impressively at the moment, with five losses and four wins, which include a run of four straight defeats.

“Those defeats were hard for me, and it made me question both my abilities and those of my coaches. People had a lot to say,” says the Silverback Mixed Martial Arts fighter, who trains under coach Anthony Kettle.

Regis Muyambo says there is “a lot at stake in my next fight” against Port Elizabeth’s Sindile Manengela at EFC 65 at Carnival City this weekend.

“But, if you don’t fight the best, you’ll never be the best. True champions never cherry pick, and they will always want to test themselves, and I believe that made me a stronger fighter and person.

“I still want that featherweight belt.”

One has to give the 23-year-old credit for his outlook and character.

Three of those losses were against proverbial ‘heavyweights’ of the industry – the first one being against the current featherweight champion, Igeu Kabesa; the other against the current lightweight champion and notorious star Don ‘The Magic Man’ Madge.

And his last defeat came against fellow Capetonian Deon Bruning, who is one match away from a title fight with ‘The Magic Man’.

So, it’s fair to say that Frostie has been on the cold side of a few match-ups.

But it’s the man’s ‘never-say-die’ attitude that is most commendable.

“My coaching team and I have worked on many things in preparation for my fight with Sindile, and we are looking forward to putting them to use on November 4.”

Frostie’s last three fights read: Win, loss, win.

And if one looks closer, it is notable that he has found form and confidence, perfecting his boxing-wresting style of late.

Now with added mass in a lighter division (moving from lightweight to featherweight), his new-found swagger will do him the world of good and will be key in continuing his rise.

#EFC65 this Saturday live from Carnival City is going to be HUGE!

Book now: https://t.co/HlnOHgoqZB pic.twitter.com/kZe3oKhLjT

— EFC Worldwide™ (@EFCworldwide) November 2, 2017

His opponent – Pesfa’s (Port Elizabeth Submission Fighting Academy) Manengela – has also drastically improved his MMA skill-set under the watchful eye of coach Chris Bright.

The judo specialist is riding high on confidence, with three wins in his last four fights. And a victory at Carnival City will get him a shot at the number-one contender for the featherweight title early next year.

With that said, the 32-year-old Manengela too will be fired up in the City of Gold.

That does not seem to deter Muyambo, though.

“I have a ton of respect for my opponent and his camp, but that’s not going to stop me from putting him away in an impressive fashion,” he says.

“I’m looking forward to putting on a show for the fans and laying my claim as one of the best in the featherweight division. I want that belt, as well as another crack at the current champion Igeu Kabesa,” he adds.

So, who will be riding the rollercoaster of joy at Carnival City this weekend?

All we can say right now is that Frostie’s Whatsapp messages read of a man who is keen on dealing with some unfinished business in the featherweight division.

Only time will tell whether he will be wearing the precious Table Mountain on one arm, and a golden EFC Featherweight belt on the other...