Coronations in the cage: Barebones MMA 5 delivers thrills in Milnerton

The Western Cape played host to a handful of coronations last night as the Barebones MMA Championship returned for its fifth installment at the Sunningdale Sports Complex in Milnerton.

Fittingly, on a night celebrating kings and queens of their divisions, the card was packed with drama, passion, tension, and raw emotion – all under one roof.

Thirty athletes marched into the Barebones cage, each carrying dreams of glory, cheered on by hundreds of MMA fans roaring their support. By the end, the fast-growing promotion – which continues to spotlight the future of African MMA despite its challenges – crowned six new champions, produced one title contender, and introduced several bright prospects.

In the lone Youth bout, House of Warriors’ Ashiq Rhode outpointed Hopefield’s Austen Armstrong in a spirited Featherweight contest. Rhode’s unanimous decision win was made all the more special as he celebrated with his family, his mother never leaving the side of the cage throughout the fight.

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The first men’s fight featured MECS’ Mike Attfield against Hopefield’s Damian Erasmus. Erasmus unleashed a barrage of wild strikes, but Attfield’s composure, sharp counters, and intelligent grappling carried the day. Overcome with emotion, Attfield secured a unanimous decision, sharing the moment with a corner that guided him expertly through all three rounds.

In the only Heavyweight bout, Iron Tiger’s Lukeny do’s Anjos Francisco shocked fans with slick submission skills, forcing Titans’ Waldo Erasmus to tap in the opening round. Francisco’s viral celebration, amplified by proud family and friends on Instagram, underscored the magnitude of his victory.

Women’s Championship Clash

The Performance Institute’s Jennifer Bromwich claimed her team’s first victory of the night, defeating Fighterz Inc’s determined Aqeela Salie. Both women inspired deafening support from their teams and fans, but Bromwich’s sharper exchanges and relentless pressure earned her a third-round TKO and a shot at the 56.7kg strap.

Controversy in the Bantamweight Title Fight

MADFit MMA’s Kiran Jeffery claimed a razor-thin decision victory over Fighterz Inc’s Zaahir Abrahams in a bout that immediately sparked debate among fans and pundits alike.

Many in attendance felt Abrahams’ superior grappling and relentless work rate were enough to secure him the belt. Others argued Jeffery’s composed late counters and ability to neutralize Abrahams in the closing rounds justified the nod from the judges.

Independent Media and MzansiMMA have yet to obtain the official scorecards. However, Abrahams’ camp has confirmed it will lodge a formal appeal of the result. That process requires a written submission and a R750 fee before the matter is reviewed by the Mixed Martial Arts South Africa (MMASA) body in Gauteng.

Featherweight Gold for Cronje

In the Men’s Featherweight title fight, Knockout Centre’s Zander Cronje – a decorated 10-time SA greco roman wrestling champion making his MMA debut – announced himself in emphatic fashion, dismantling TroubleMaker’s Zaakir Parker en route to a first-round TKO. Cronje’s dominant base proved decisive as his opponent had no response to elite wrestlng.

In the main event, Ezrah Perrang produced a statement performance, dethroning the reigning Lightweight champion, Cronje’s brother, Phillip, with a slick display of grappling. Known primarily as a striker, Perrang blended crisp stand-up with fluid transitions before sinking in a rear-naked choke in round two. The submission stunned the crowd into respectful silence, a tribute to the legacy of the fallen champion.

What’s NextBarebones MMA returns in November for its sixth and final chapter of 2025 – and if last night is any indication, the coronations have only just begun.

Results

Youth

Youth A Featherweight - 65.8kg

Ashiq Rhode beat Austen Armstrong via unanimous decision. 

Prelim Card

Men’s Featherweight - 65.8kg

Mike Attfield beat Damian Erasmus via unanimous decision.

Men’s Featherweight - 65.8kg

Furqaan Salie beat Tyrees Slinger via TKO in the first round.

Men’s Lightweight - 70.3kg

Antonio De Waal beat Justus Steenkamp via unanimous decision.

Men’s Flyweight 56.7kg 

Kuhle Miso beat Jordan Cook via ground and pound in the first round.

Men’s Heavyweight 93.5kg - 120kg

Lukeny do’s Anjos Francisco beat Waldo Erasmus via submission in the first round.

Men’s Lightweight Title Contender 70.3kg

Ameer Gamza beat Toufeeq van Schalkwyk via unanimous decision.

Men’s Lightweight 70.3kg

Uzyar Muhammed beat Matthew van Eyck via TKO in the second round.

Main Card

Women’s Flyweight 56.7kg

Jennifer Ann June Bromwich beat Aqeela Salie via TKO in the third round.

Men’s Flyweight Title - 56.7kg

Reuben Job beat Juan Conradie via unanimous decision.

Men’s Bantamweight Title 61.2kg

Kiran Jeffery beat Zaahir Abrahams via unanimous decision.

Men’s Featherweight Title 65.8kg

Zander Cronje beat Zaakir Parker via TKO in the first round. 

Men’s Welterweight Title 77.1kg

Byron Sarjoo beat Patrick Ndomba via unanimous decision.

Men’s Middleweight Title Fight 83.1kg

Pietie Lubbe beat Steve Kassakula via guillotine in the first round.

Men’s Lightweight Title 70.3kg

Ezrah Perrang beat Phillip Cronje via rear-naked choke in the second round.

IOL Sport

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