Local MMA fighter places third in nationals

Writer Taylum Meyer

The MMA South Africa Nationals took place in Edenvale from 9 – 11 April. The top athletes were chosen from each province to compete in either the senior, junior or youth category in various weight groups (149 fighters in total).

All three days were streamed live on Alpha MMA's YouTube channel for supporters of the fighters to watch.

Among the fighters was Duke Jackson from Hermanus who trains at GB's Boxing & Fitness at Gateway Centre. He competed in the Men's Junior Welterweight category (18 – 20 years).

Duke did very well on Friday and proceeded to the semi-finals on Saturday. He put on a spectacular fight and placed third in his category after losing to last year's champion, Cameron Coulson, via armbar (a joint lock where the elbow is hyperextended to cause pain).

He will be part of the training squad and will still have a chance to make the South African team competing in Kazakhstan, Russia later this year.

IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) President Kerrith Brown said after the competition that it was fantastic to see the expansion of amateur MMA in South Africa, with the Nationals drawing talent from across the nation, deepening the talent pool and broadening the range of competitive experience.

He added that it was exciting to see competition back underway in South Africa and that IMMAF was looking forward to welcoming the South African team at the 2021 Worlds.

Good luck, Duke!