By Murdo Todd
In a clash of IMMAF alumni, Zambia’s Ken Sekeletu secured the EFC Interim Featherweight Championship with a victory over South Africa’s Roedie Roets.
The two faced off in the main event of EFC 121 in Sandton, South Africa. However, the bout ended after the first round when Roets was forced to retire, crowning Sekeletu as the new interim champion. This victory marks a significant milestone, not only in Sekeletu’s career but also for the growth of Zambian mixed martial arts.
Sekeletu previously represented Zambia at the 2022 IMMAF Africa Championships, where he earned a silver medal. Following his success on the amateur stage, he transitioned to the professional ranks and signed with EFC, where he has remained undefeated. Now boasting an impressive 7-0 record, his next likely challenge will be against the undisputed featherweight champion, Igeu Kabesa (19-3), a multiple-time EFC titleholder.
As Zambia’s most successful MMA athlete, Sekeletu has become a trailblazer for the nation’s growing combat sports scene. His achievements serve as an inspiration for the next generation, proving that world-class success is within reach for fighters from the region.
While Zambia’s pool of professional MMA fighters may be small, its amateur scene continues to develop under the guidance of the Zambian MMA Federation. In response to Sekeletu’s historic victory, the federation released the following statement:
“His victory inspires the next generation of athletes, proving that the journey from grassroots to global champion is not only possible but now firmly within reach for our fighters.
We are incredibly proud of Ken. This win is not just his—it belongs to every athlete, coach, and supporter of MMA in Zambia. It is a symbol of what we are building together.”
As we look ahead to the 2025 IMMAF Africa Championships, stay up to date with all the latest news at IMMAF.org
