Local fighter aims to become a two-division EFC champion
Mitchells Plain will be watching as Faeez "The Troublemaker" Jacobs steps into the EFC octagon tonight at 20:00 in Johannesburg to challenge for the featherweight title while holding the bantamweight crown.
Jacobs, who currently represents Mitchells Plain among the national mixed martial arts scene, faces the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Shadrack "Baba Yega" Yemba at EFC 137. A successful outcome would place Jacobs among a small group of EFC fighters to have held belts in two weight divisions — a distinction that has previously been achieved by the likes of Dricus du Plessis.
Beyond the EFC accolade, Jacobs has been explicit about the bigger prize: securing a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In the promotion’s pre-fight media engagements, he framed the bout as part of his campaign to prove he belongs at the sport’s highest level.
“100 percent. I think that being able to do this, being able to challenge yourself on this level is something that an elite does and I am 100 percent elite. I have faced many challenges.”
The quote was reported by Buntu Gotywa for IOL during the pre-fight press conference.
Home support and local significance
Support from the Mother City has been visible. The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, posted a message recognising Jacobs’s journey from a difficult background to professional sport and urging the city to rally behind him.
For residents of Mitchells Plain, Jacobs’s rise carries symbolic weight. His story reflects a common local narrative: sport as a route away from the pressures of crime and social exclusion. The public endorsement from a senior municipal official also highlights how local government can amplify positive role models.
Other Cape Town fighters on the card
The event will include several other Capetonian fighters, underlining the Western Cape’s strong presence on the national MMA circuit. The local contingent announced for the card includes:
- Luke Michael — co-headliner, seeking to reclaim the middleweight title after a recent loss.
- Jason MacKay — a rising prospect making his third promotion appearance and first main event, promising another quick finish.
- Alexander Suzuki — looking to improve his EFC record to 2-2 when he faces Trevor Mutsila.
| Fighter | Role on card | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Faeez Jacobs | Featherweight title challenger | Bantamweight champion aiming for second belt |
| Luke Michael | Co-headliner | Former middleweight champion |
| Jason MacKay | Main event | Third appearance in promotion |
| Alexander Suzuki | Undercard | Hopes to make it 2-2 |
What a win would mean
A victory for Jacobs would not only add a second EFC title to his record but also strengthen his argument for recruitment by the UFC. The global promotion frequently scouts champions and standout performers from regional promotions. Holding titles in two weight classes would enhance Jacobs’s résumé and raise his profile among international matchmakers.
For Mitchells Plain, the stakes are partly symbolic and partly practical: higher visibility for a local athlete can inspire youth participation in sport and attract attention to training facilities and coaches in the area. It may also bring commercial opportunities for the fighter himself, should international interest materialise.
Tonight’s EFC 137 card is therefore more than a single bout for residents of Mitchells Plain — it is a focal point for community pride and a possible springboard for a homegrown athlete to the global stage. Results will determine whether Jacobs’s journey continues upward or whether he must regroup and plan another route to the top.
