Faeez Jacobs promised a masterclass and delivered

Inside the WSB EFC Arena, the champion from Mitchell’s Plain combined deep championship experience with a highly calculated game plan, silencing Walker’s grappling threat across five rounds to emerge victorious on the scorecards which read: 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46.

For Jacobs, the victory was the culmination of deep preparation that extends well beyond standard mixed martial arts.

"I don't look at what challenges a fighter is going to bring; I focus entirely on the performance I am going to produce. My job as the champion is to demonstrate exactly why these guys don't belong in the cage with me. This whole journey is about practicing how to be a dominant champion. Credit must also go to Gift for giving me a really good challenge and for pushing me across the five rounds.”

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Round one began as a classic game of cat and mouse, with Walker circling on the outside while Jacobs immediately assumed the centre of the cage…

Jacobs brought increased aggression into the second round, opening up and landing some heavy shots. Walker responded beautifully, picking the champion up and driving him forcefully to the canvas. Though Jacobs comfortably fought his way back out of trouble, Walker proved he was dangerously in the fight for the long haul. 

Jacobs noted that dealing with this pressure is exactly what separates him from the rest of the division.

"What separates me from everyone else is my approach to personal development and human evolution. I treat this game like an elite chess player. Most guys only add one skill and think they are brand new, but I continuously evolve."

By the third round, clinch work dominated the early part of the round as Jacobs successfully found his striking range. Walker closed the distance to force the fight back to the ground but found little success against the champion’s upgraded defence. As their movements grew more creative, Jacobs ended the round in a dominant top position, raining down heavy elbows and locking in a near rear naked choke that Walker barely slipped out of just as the bell sounded.

Walker continued to soak up heavy pressure in the fourth, hunting for a counter right hand down the pipe while Jacobs systematically chipped away at his legs. Jacobs also scored a takedown of his own, but Walker showcased immense desire by hopping straight back up to his feet. Walker then executed a perfect double-leg takedown, but he was ultimately unable to cause any real danger from the top position.

"We knew taking me down was the only chance he had, but every time he shot for the legs, he also broke a little bit of his own spirit because trying to fight me that way is exhausting and painful.” 

In the end, the Bantamweight champ Faeez Jacobs defended his belt once again, following up on a massive victory over Trent Girdham earlier this year. As for the significance of the win, it remains to be seen if the UFC or even PFL/ PFL Africa come calling for one of the most clinical fighters Africa has produced.

Photo Credit: EFC