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Cape Town - South African mixed martial arts star JP Buys will start his quest for dual promotion domination on Saturday when he makes his Brave Combat Federation debut against Russia’s Gamzat Magomedov in Lahore, Pakistan.
Buys (5-2) - the reigning Extreme Fighting Championship bantamweight king - will meet the undefeated Magomedov (3-0) on the main card of Brave 17.
The 22-year-old, who is under the tutelage of Richard Quan at Fight Fit Militia in Johannesburg, expects his wrestling credentials to be tested by the Dagestani at the Nishtar Park Sports Complex.
Buys won multiple national and international titles in the singlet before transitioning to MMA.
“My training camp has gone really well,” Buys told mmaengage.com prior to jetting out of the country on Monday.
“I train full-time so I’m never in or out of camp. The weight-cut is still currently going, but it’s been really smooth.
"I know my opponent is gonna try wrestle me so I focused on a lot of wrestling, but at the same time I’m a wrestler.”
He is confident he will hand the the KHK MMA Fight Team product his first loss in decisive fashion.
“I see myself winning, not any specific way, but definitely a finish.”
Buys has penned a three-fight deal with Brave, and expects to soon challenge for the belt in the Bahrain-based organisation.
The former EFC interim flyweight champion will look to emulate his compatriot Dricus du Plessis in achieving gold under two banners.
EFC middleweight and welterweight champ Du Plessis (12-2) recently held the 77kg strap in Polish-based promotion KSW, but lost it in a rematch with Roberto Soldic (14-3) in London on October 6.
“I personally feel that me coming from a promotion with two titles under my name I should have had the title fight now,” Buys said.
“But I think after two fights I should be fighting for the belt.”
He added: “To become a two-promotion champion will be great.
“It’ll mean a lot to me, my friends and family, as well as my country to win an international title.”
Buys is no stranger to competing abroad, having fought in Las Vegas on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series in August 2017.
He also wrestled in the US, Serbia and Madagascar.
“To compete on foreign soil has always been a challenge for me, I enjoy challenges,” he said.
“And if I’m able to perform and win on foreign soil then I’m happy.”
SA-born Frans Mlambo (5-3) will also fight at 61kg at Brave 17 against Aidan James (2-0) from Wales.
Mlambo lives in Ireland and trains with combat sports superstar Conor McGregor (21-4) at Straight Blast Gym in Dublin.
