Lyndall Sandenbergh preparing Zaahir Abrahams for his match during the first instalment of the Barebones MMA championships in July.
The continued rise of MMA on a global scale is something combat sports lovers can collectively agree is thrilling to witness.
Even for those not entirely fascinated by combat sports, it’s hard to ignore the presence of the UFC, the world's biggest MMA promotion, as it hosts events worldwide.
This global expansion has helped accelerate the growth of MMA all over the world.
When South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis was crowned the UFC Middleweight Champion, the country found itself in the international MMA spotlight.
South Africa has long nurtured local talent, but UFC titles are the pinnacle of success in the sport, and Du Plessis’s victory has opened new doors for the country’s fighters.
Following his successful title defense at UFC 305, there is now serious talk of UFC Africa, with Mzansi potentially being the host, a promise UFC president Dana White made.
Back home, this spotlight gives South African martial arts competitors a golden opportunity to showcase their skills on the global stage.
While the UFC offers the dream platform, the real work of preparing future champions often happens at the grassroots level.
Local MMA promotions, particularly at the amateur level, play a pivotal role in grooming fighters.
However, staging such competitions requires significant effort and funding, particularly for amateur events.
Enter Barebones MMA Championships, the brainchild of Llyndal Sandenbergh.
Launched earlier this year, the promotion aims to provide a competitive platform for amateur fighters to hone their skills.
Following a successful debut event back in July, Barebones is set to host its second instalment on October 19, promising to be even bigger than before.
Sandenbergh, also the coach of the South African MMA team, understands the challenges of organising such events but remains committed, recognising the hunger for competition in Cape Town’s MMA community.
With five titles on the line, Welterweight, Bantamweight, Featherweight, Middleweight, and Lightweight, the stakes are high for “BMC 2.”
Sandenbergh hopes to attract more sponsorship for the event, aiming to grow Barebones MMA into a sustainable platform for South African fighters to gain exposure and experience before they transition to the professional level.
As more martial arts fighters step into the Barebones cage, the promotion has the potential to become a crucial stepping stone for South African MMA talent.
For those wanting to get involved with Barebones MMA, you can contact Sandenbergh on 072 977 0234.
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