Barebones MMA Championship reaches new heights with first women’s title fight

The Barebones MMA Championship (BMC) has continued its remarkable rise since launching just over a year ago, cementing itself as one of South Africa’s fastest-growing grassroots mixed martial arts promotions.

Despite challenges such as limited sponsorship and funding, BMC founder and owner Lyndall Sandenbergh has remained steadfast in her vision, determined to build a platform that will leave a lasting legacy in South African sport.

This weekend marks another major milestone for the organization.

At the Sunningdale Sports Complex in Milnerton, BMC will host its first-ever event dedicated to women — the aptly titled “Rise of the Queen” — which will feature the promotion’s inaugural Women’s Title Fight.

It’s a proud moment for Sandenbergh, whose dream began as a simple idea a few years ago and has now blossomed into a thriving reality.

The Barebones MMA Championship was officially launched on June 15, 2024, with a clear purpose: to grow the sport from the grassroots level and provide much-needed opportunities for Cape Town’s emerging MMA talent.

“I will start my promotion — Barebones MMA Championship — in honor of my partner and love, Mec Crain, who passed away three years ago,” Sandenbergh told Independent Media and MzansiMMA in an interview last year ahead of one of Cape Town’s local amateur MMA events.

Crain, a respected gym owner, coach, mentor, and athlete, was known for using combat sports to unite people and uplift communities. His passing left a deep void but also ignited a powerful motivation in Sandenbergh to continue his legacy.

“For the last four years, there have hardly been any promotional events held in Cape Town,” she explained at the time before launching BMC on June 15 in honor of Mec, “with all proceeds going to MMA development in the Western Cape.”

The response from the local fight community has been overwhelming.

In just one year, hundreds of athletes from Cape Town and beyond have competed under the BMC banner, using the platform to refine their skills and take the next step in their careers — from amateur competitions to international stages such as the IMMAF Africa and World Championships, and even into the professional ranks.

BMC has also evolved rapidly as a brand, moving to larger venues, staging multiple title fights, and crowning a growing roster of champions — all while introducing new audiences to the sport of mixed martial arts.

“The journey has been bumpy, to say the least — and boy, oh boy, have I paid a lot of school fees in the process!” Sandenbergh laughed.

“I’ve learned and grown so much over the last four years. My passion for the sport and my commitment to integrity have never steered me wrong. I’m proud that each event reflects the values Mec stood for. That’s how I want the industry to remember and honor him.”

This weekend’s “Rise of the Queen” event will not only be BMC’s first global livestream but also a celebration of women in combat sports — a cause close to Sandenbergh’s heart.

“I’m beyond excited to finally facilitate a women’s title fight in the sport I love so much,” she said.

“Mec was a massive supporter of women’s MMA. He actually believed women make better fighters than men — that when we step into the cage, we don’t hold back and aren’t driven by ego the way men sometimes are.

“This is the moment I’ve been working toward from the very beginning. I know Mec would be incredibly proud. The support from the fight community — athletes, coaches, officials, fans, and families — has been overwhelming. Putting out a brand that’s so personal is scary, but even the criticism has been kind. I’ll keep doing everything I can to shape MMA into an industry we can all be proud of.”

The main event will feature the inaugural Women’s Flyweight Title Fight (52.3–56.7 kg) between Ayesha Majiet (Fighterz Inc) and Tara Abrahams (MADFit MMA).

The co-main event sees Aku Okafar (Performance Institute) face Ebrahim Oosthuizen (Legion MMA) for the Heavyweight Title (93.1–120.2 kg).

The event takes place this Saturday, November 8, at the Sunningdale Sports Complex in Milnerton. The show begins at 3 p.m., with tickets available at the venue or via Quicket.

For livestream information and event updates, follow Barebones MMA Championship and MzansiMMA on Instagram.

Confirmed Fight Card thus far:

Main event - Women’s Flyweight Title fight: Fighterz Inc’s Ayesha Majiet vs MADFit MMA’s Tara Abrahams.

Co-main event - Heavyweight Title fight: Aku Okafar (Performance Institute) vs Ebrahim Oosthuizen (Legion MMA).

Fight 20 - Mens Featherweight Title - 61.3kg - 65.8kg: Dean Van Wyk (Madfit) and Zander Cronje (Knockout Centre)

Fight 19 - Mens Lightweight Interim Title - 65.9kg - 70.3kg: Josh Bester (Madfit) vs Byron Sarjoo (Performance Institute)

Fight 18 - Mens Featherweight Contender - 61.3kg - 65.8kg: Andrew Hunter (Titans MMA) vs Athenkosi Mongwe (PESFA) 

Fight 17 - Mens Heavyweight - 93.1kg - 120.2kg: Kyle Van Der Kolff (Trident) vs Lukeny Do's Anjos (Iron Tiger) 

Fight 16 - Mens Middleweight - 77.2kg - 83.4kg: Franco Rheeder (PFA) vs Luqmaan Sadien (Legion MMA) 

Fight 15 - Mens Featherweight - 61.3kg - 65.8kg: Colby Robert Baxter (Madfit) vs Siyamthanda Mkita (PESFA)