Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Dalcha ‘Champion’ Lungiambula’s move to the UFC could see Gideon Drotschie soon challenge for the EFC light heavyweight crown again.
The UFC signed Lungiambula (9-1) in the new year, forcing him to surrender his EFC heavyweight and light heavyweight belts.
READ: Update on Champion’s UFC debut
While the heavyweight strap passed to interim champion Jared Vanderaa (8-3) - who makes his maiden title defence against DR Congo’s Ricky Misholas (7-7) in Pretoria on March 16 - light heavyweight gold is up for grabs.
Drotschie (7-3) once ruled the EFC 93kg division and is not far off getting a chance to reclaim honours, according to the promotion’s matchmaker Graeme Cartmell.
The ‘Juggernaut’ last featured at middleweight in August 2018, defeating Englishman Jenaid Ebanks (2-3) via unanimous decision to end a two-fight skid with a Fight-of-the-Night showing on home soil in Cape Town.
READ: Drotschie targets EFC domination
“Juggernaut’s gone through some things,” Cartmell said in a Q&A session with fans on the EFC’s Facebook page.
“He’s a fantastic athlete. I want to see him back in action right away. We’ve spoken quite heavily to his management about him possibly going back to light heavyweight now that Champion Dalcha’s moved across to the UFC.
“That’s become an awesome opportunity for a guy like Gideon Drotschie because he was a prolific light heavyweight champion. We loved him there and that’s where he wants to be. So, if he does fight there he could bounce between both because he’s a great middleweight contender.
“He just defeated Jenaid Ebanks, so if he can contend in both spaces that would be great, but I’d love to see Drotschie at light heavyweight for the title at some stage. I’m not saying that’s the next fight, but there’s possibilities - he’s right up there.”
Drotschie won the light heavyweight belt when he submitted Danie van Heerden (11-8) in June 2013, and defended it once against Fraser Opie (11-7) before losing it to Norman Wessels (7-2) by TKO the following year.
