EFC Africa, the continent’s leading mixed martial arts organization, has clinched a deal for heavyweight champion Ruan Potts to fight in the UFC.
“This is a great opportunity and we look forward to seeing Ruan competing with some of the best athletes from around the world,” said EFC AFRICA president Cairo Howarth. “We’ve been in talks with the UFC for quite some time and are happy to have come to this agreement with them.”
“We’ve pioneered and grown African MMA to a point where our athletes are now truly world class. This agreement is testament to that. Now is Ruan’s time to represent Africa in the world’s biggest MMA promotion.”
Potts’ contract is a six fight deal, with his first UFC bout expected to be in April, and will see him representing Africa against heavyweights from across the globe.
Since exploding onto the scene in February 2011 at the EFC AFRICA 07 event, Potts has dominated the heavyweight division.
“There is amazing talent here at EFC AFRICA, and I have improved so much as an athlete over these past three years with the promotion,” said Potts. “Now I’m looking forward to putting my skills up against other world-class UFC opponents from other continents.”
Potts will relinquish his EFC AFRICA heavyweight title.
The Extreme Fighting Championship produces 10 live events annually and has sold out some of the biggest arenas in Africa. With over 120 athletes exclusively contracted to the organization from countries such as Angola, the DRC, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and both sides of the Sahara desert, EFC AFRICA showcases the greatest warriors on the continent. EFC AFRICA events are broadcast live in over 110 countries around the world on nine television networks in multiple languages. EFC AFRICA programming is available weekly in 600+ million TV households worldwide, making it one of the most recognizable MMA brands on the planet.