By Tendai Keith Guvamombe
JOHANNESBURG — In an emotional, pulse-pounding main stage clash at EFC 137, decorated Zimbabwean international amateur Lewis “Porcupine” Mataya delivered a career-defining upset, derailing South Africa’s rising contender Ayanda “The Power” Zwane inside the Hexagon.
Zwane, fighting out of Johannesburg’s Apex MMA South, entered the bout riding high-octane momentum with wins over Emerson Pedro, Emmanuel Sita, Roberto Miyaba, and Steven Goncalves.
However, Mataya’s relentless pace and stubborn grit systematically neutralized Zwane’s explosive striking, halting the South African’s direct trajectory toward the division’s gold.
The victory carried a profound personal cost for the Zimbabwean standout. In a raw, post-fight interview inside the cage, an emotional Mataya revealed the extreme financial sacrifices he made just to step onto the canvas.
“I sold everything for this fight. I also sold my car in order to make it for this fight,” Mataya declared to a stunned crowd in Johannesburg.
Riding the euphoria of his triumph and looking ahead to his next appearance, Mataya announced an unprecedented move to finance his career continuation:“For the December fight, I am auctioning my fighting gear, including the shorts I am wearing right now.”
As the arena echoed with his famous signature Shona chant—“Ini ndinkrova!” (“I beat!”)—Mataya proved that his all-in gamble paid off, solidifying his standing as one of the most compelling and dangerous forces in the EFC roster today.
