Zimbabwe’s Lewis Mataya wins EFC debut after selling car to fund training camp

Zimbabwean mixed martial arts fighter Lewis “The Porcupine” Mataya has defeated South Africa’s Ayanda Zwane at EFC 137, completing a remarkable journey to the cage after selling his car to finance his training camp.

Mataya secured victory in their featherweight bout at the EFC Arena in Johannesburg on Thursday, 10 September, marking a successful debut in Extreme Fighting Championship.

The result represented far more than another victory for the determined fighter, who revealed before the contest that he had sacrificed his vehicle because he lacked the financial support required to prepare properly.

Mataya sold his car to pursue EFC dream

“I sold my car to fund my training camp for my fight on the 10th of September,” Mataya disclosed while appealing for support before the event.

“I sold my car to fund my training camp for my fight on the 10th of September,” Mataya disclosed while appealing for support before the event. (Picture via Facebook – Lewis Mataya)

Training camps can require fighters to cover coaching, accommodation, nutrition, equipment, medical examinations and travel expenses before receiving any earnings from a fight.

Mataya nevertheless proceeded with his preparations and entered the EFC cage against Zwane, a South African fighter competing in front of his home crowd.

His victory provides a potentially important breakthrough in his ambition to establish himself in one of Africa’s leading professional MMA promotions and eventually reach the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

From childhood hardship to African champion

Mataya’s fighting career has been shaped by considerable personal adversity. According to the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, he lost both parents at an early age and was raised in a household of 13 people.

He turned to martial arts and later emerged as one of Zimbabwe’s leading amateur MMA prospects.

Zimbabwean mixed martial arts fighter Lewis “The Porcupine” Mataya has defeated South Africa’s Ayanda Zwane at EFC 137 (Picture via Facebook – Lewis Mataya)

Mataya won gold at the 2022 IMMAF Africa Championships after recording three consecutive victories. He defeated Allistar Kunene by decision, stopped Geraldo Bok in the second round and overcame the previously undefeated Ken Nyaondo by unanimous decision in the final.

He has since been described as a two-time African amateur champion.

Mataya later moved into professional competition and fought for promotions including Fist of Valor, UAE Warriors and African Knockout.

Among his notable professional performances was a second-round technical knockout of Prince Mensan at African Knockout, stopping his opponent with only 11 seconds remaining in the round.

Immigration ordeal threatened career

Mataya’s progress was previously disrupted after he travelled to Johannesburg and was arrested by South African immigration authorities over a visa that was allegedly fraudulent.

He said he had obtained the document through someone presenting themselves as a Home Affairs agent and only discovered later that he had been deceived.

Mataya was detained at Kempton Park Police Station and charged with an immigration offence. He alleged that a lawyer whom he paid R13,000 failed to attend his hearing and instead sent an intern.

After his release, Mataya paid for his return flight to Zimbabwe. He later said immigration officials prevented him from re-entering South Africa when he attempted to challenge the matter and clear his name.

His appearance at EFC 137 in Johannesburg therefore marked another significant chapter in a career repeatedly tested by financial, legal and personal setbacks.

With victory over Zwane now secured, Mataya has strengthened his claim to be considered among Zimbabwe’s most promising professional MMA fighters.