Shana Power will carry on despite #EFC72 disappointment
It’s been a sad and disappointing week for women’s MMA down in Cape Town.
Not only will Cape fans have to wait even longer to see the ladies battle it out in the Grand Arena hexagon, but the mere fact that we don’t get to celebrate the females of MMA and sport just two days after Women’s Day is the worst part of it all.
With only three days to go before Shana Power was set to take on Paulwetu Namba at EFC72, IOL Sport were informed that their fight was called off.
Due to medical reasons, EFC’s Dr Ewoudt would not allow Power to cut to 57kg following the incident at EFC54, where her body gave in and she started clotting during the process of cutting weight for her fight.
“This was news to me, and the EFC as we signed the fight contract eight weeks ago, and this was only brought to our attention five days out from the fight. We were on track and ready for the cut and prepared to make the 57kg,” said Power.
The FFM athlete was then asked to move up to catchweight.
“We thought the opposing team would be fine with that. But after a week of back and forth, they were reluctant to go up to catchweight, which I’ve never heard of in my life. It is pretty pathetic.
“Lots of time and money has been invested in putting this fight together. It would’ve been amazing to have a female fight in Cape Town,” says EFC VP Graeme Cartmell.
It is a disappointing story, especially taking into consideration that no cutting would have to be done, which is usually the hardest for most fight camps.
“These disappointments happen. I am upset, and my heart bleeds for the fans and sponsors who backed me to get here,” said Power.
“I have to carry on, keep training and just working to get better every time. And as I soon as I can, I will sit with Graeme and the team, and we just need to understand why this keeps on happening. It all depends on what the doctor says.
“I can’t keep on being put in these situations with my weight. If there is a doctor (medical) clause that will be put in place, that is going to decide when the fans and everybody see me next.
“I just need to make sure my health is there. I am ready to fight, I was more than ready to fight and put on a show, but unfortunately the doctor intervened, and it was out of our control.
A post shared by Shana Adrienne Power (@power_shana) on
“I love Cape Town. I made my debut here. I really wanted to fight here.”
Power vs Namba was replaced on the main card on Saturday night by prelim fight Justin Smith vs Giovanni Pretorius.
Main Card, live at 9.30pm on SABC3
Van Staden vs Mazany (5-round lightweight championship)
G Drotschie vs Ebanks (middleweight)
Jacobs vs Madiba (bantamweight)
J Smith vs Pretorius (welterweight)
Michael vs Scheepers (welterweight)
Prelim Card (live on Facebook at 5.30pm)
Kayambula vs Simoes (featherweight)
W Smith vs Djikasa (heavyweight)
Muyambo vs Mukulu (welterweight)
Jones vs Mailer (featherweight)
Cundari vs Drotschie (lightweight)
IOL Sport