The Barebones MMA Championships 10: Fall of Kings took place at the Sunningdale Sports Complex on Saturday, showcasing the dynamic amateur MMA scene in South Africa. Despite a reduced card of 17 bouts, the tension inside the cage remained high, eliciting strong reactions from spectators.
In the early preliminary fights, Zaid Skriker from Fighterz Inc faced Jonathan Erasmus from Hopefield MMA. Skriker started the fight by applying heavy pressure and using top control to limit Erasmus's movement, while also attempting a triangle choke before transitioning to an armbar. Erasmus remained composed, neutralized the submission attempt, and then changed the tide in the second round by taking Skriker's back and securing a tight rear-naked choke, leading to the bout's conclusion.
The main card continued with a bout between welterweight contenders Xavier Cornelius (MadFit) and Moammad Abbas Moerat (REPS). Both fighters cautiously studied each other at the start, but the pace increased as the fight developed. Cornelius succeeded in the clinch, landing knee strikes to Moerat's body, while Moerat responded with sharp dirty boxing. In the third round, Cornelius's timing, defense, and counterattacks became increasingly effective, allowing him to win by judges' decision after a tactically even contest.
The middleweight title fight featured Andre Koetze (Fighterz Inc) against Elgreith Light Eze (Go For Broke). After a knockout in the first round at BMC 9, Eze sought another early finish. Koetze initially used his size to press Eze against the cage and provoke grappling, but Eze successfully defended against takedowns. In the second round, Eze began setting up the right hand with powerful calf kicks, followed by a strike that caused Koetze to fall to the canvas. This was followed by brutal ground and pound, and Eze won by referee decision.
The co-main event featured a clash between Baghdad Muundjua (CDS) and lightweight champion Umar Edwards (House of Combat). Muundjua controlled the cage with long straight punches and high kicks, while Edwards continued to advance with hooks and low kicks. As the fight progressed, Edwards began to slow down, and although he attempted a bottom armbar in the fourth round, Muundjua managed to avoid it and maintained dominant top control in the fifth round. He is now set to face Cornelius at the next Barebones event.
The main event and the night's main attraction was the welterweight title fight between Frank Ngokoy (Troublemaker) and Eden Faklier (House of Combat). Faklier demonstrated his grappling skills in the first round, maintaining top control and repelling Ngokoy's attempts to change position. Ngokoy found his rhythm in the second round, utilizing precise strikes and excellent distance management, while Faklier countered with several powerful shots. Ngokoy controlled the third and fourth rounds, using flashy kicks and timely feints to disrupt Faklier's game and induce growing reluctance in him to engage. His ability to combine explosive power with precision demonstrated high in-fight intelligence, and his unpredictability gave him an advantage in exchanges. In the final round, Faklier approached Ngokoy but continued to struggle due to Ngokoy's strikes. Despite signs of fatigue, Faklier remained resilient and traded blows until the final bell, after which Ngokoy successfully retained his title. In his post-fight speech, Ngokoy thanked the fans and then raised the issue of the ongoing gender-based violence in eKurhuleni, calling on South Africans to collectively combat violence against women.