Chad Hanekom Is Eager For The Chance To Represent DWCS
Chad Hanekom wants to stake his claim on Dana White’s Contender Series since South African MMA is flourishing.
Chad Hanekom wants to stake his claim on Dana White's Contender Series since South African MMA is flourishing.
Chad Hanekom wants to stake his claim on Dana White‘s Contender Series since South African MMA is flourishing. At the UFC Apex on September 5 in Las Vegas, Hanekom (9-2) will compete for a contract with the organization when he faces Cam Rowston (8-2).
The former BRAVE CF championship contender hopes to further popularize South African mixed martial arts after a highlight-reel knockout shown on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”
“There are some killers that are coming up through the ranks, and I intend on being one of those.”
“I have a well-rounded, solid overall style. I believe that with the correct experience in the UFC and some solid outings that allow me to become comfortable with the environment, that I’ll be able to bring a new interesting flavor that fans and staff will enjoy seeing.”
“I have a really cool product and story to sell, and ultimately, I believe the UFC is the perfect platform to do this. The UFC and world are curious about South Africa. It’s our time to show them what we have to bring to the market.”
Hanekom told MMA Junkie.
Leading the South African MMA push in the UFC right now are Dricus Du Plessis and his colleague Cameron Saaiman. Hanekom, a South African-born and bred boxer, acknowledges that getting to the big time has been challenging.
“To be honest, the UFC was not really something that was on my immediate radar.”
“I had other goals that I was looking to accomplish within my martial arts career. The UFC has always been a far reach for any South African or Africa-based fighter purely based on our geographic challenges that we’re faced within getting there.”
“It’s been difficult to even consider that as a goal or ambition. However, now that the opportunity has arisen once again, I am extremely grateful for it. After all, the UFC is the gold standard of the sport. It is the Olympics of fighting. It is something reserved for the elite percentage of fighters out there.”
Chad Hanekom
Rowston of City Kickboxing will be Hanekom’s opponent; Rowston has gone undefeated in his last five fights, and “Superman” enjoys the matchup. Chad Hanekom said,
“I think that it’s a good matchup.”
“I think stylistically, he will be an interesting puzzle for me to solve. I don’t focus too much on my opponent, though. I have massive respect for his coach Eugene (Bareman) and his team. I will impose myself on him, and I don’t think that he’s faced the kind of adversity in there that I will bring. I think he’s a good athlete and fighter, but I think that it’s a bad time for him to be running into me.”
