Troublemakers: Building Cape Town's next MMA champions
Faeez Jacobs doing corner duties during Barebones MMA championships with one of his fighters Frank Ngoka.
Image: Buntu Gotywa
A week ago in Cape Town, two fight events were happening simultaneously, one in Lotus River and the other in Sunningdale.
On one side, the World Kickboxing Network (WKN) Championships hosted by Vibrant Gym, and on the other, the fifth installment of the Barebones MMA Championships. These two venues sit on opposite ends of the city, but that didn’t stop EFC bantamweight champion, Faeez "Troublemaker" Jacobs and his squad of Troublemakers from showing up at both.
And if anyone asks why or how, it is because Jacobs has started something that’s grown far beyond what he originally imagined.
What began as a plan to open a small gym, mainly for himself to train and make a little income on the side while pursuing his professional fighting career, has now turned into a full-blown fight team of hungry, young prospects chasing greatness.
His stable of athletes is always on the lookout for platforms to test themselves, improve, and make a name.
EFC bantamweight champion Faeez "Troublemaker" Jacobs addresses pupils while on a victory tour, in Mitchell's Plain, last year.
Image: Fuad Esack
No matter the distance or the stage, they’re ready to fight. Any opportunity to sharpen their tools is a challenge they welcome.
“I just wanted to open a space for myself, really,” said Jacobs.
“Somewhere I could work on my own skills and make a bit of income. But over time, it developed into something else because people came to me with the same drive I had when I started, wanting to chase this as a career. It became more than just my own little club. It became a place where people come to chase their dreams and build themselves as fighters.”
Jacobs' own journey is an inspiration for many of his students. The current EFC bantamweight champion is still in the peak of his career, but he’s already laying the foundation for the next generation.
EFC Bantamweight champ, Faeez "Troublemaker" Jacobs, always looking to unearth the next generation of champions.
Image: FUad Esack
At the WKN event, his fighter Frank Ngoka stepped into the ring for a K1 bout against Reunion Island’s Morby Stevens. Meanwhile, in Sunningdale, three more of Jacobs’ fighters, Juan Conradie, Zaakir Parker and Patrick Ndomba, competed in the Barebones MMA Championships, each chasing titles in their respective divisions.
Though the MMA fighters didn't walk away with belts that night, their performances showed plenty of promise.
And Ngoka, who is already a Barebones champion himself, proved once again why he's one to watch.
“We’ve got fighters as young as nine years old training with us,” Jacobs said.
“It’s good for the sport and it’s amazing to see how people are really starting to fall in love with MMA.”
As Jacobs continues to dominate in the cage himself, he says he is dedicated to also build a movement of fighters from his Plumstead-based gym.