PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born: Gift Walker, Pretoria, South Africa
Nickname: The Day
Date of Birth:2000
Weight: 135LBS/61.23kg
Division: Bantamweight and Flyweight
Pro MMA Record: [5-0-0]
EARLY LIFE
The 24-year-old fighter hails from South Africa and is an adopted child of Mr & Mrs Walker. Gift Walker’s interest in MMA grew after watching EFC matches, and he decided to start training at the age of thirteen. His skills and expertise grew and he became the reigning amateur champ in his district.
After graduating at eighteen, Walker decided to go into professional MMA. The fighter has openly expressed his love for MMA and has been in combat sports for twelve years. He is affiliated with the House of Tinkerbell and is coached by JP Cougar. Walker’s first professional bout was at the EFC, which was the starting point for his unbeatable winning streak.
MMA CAREER
Walker has competed in many MMA tournaments, including FightStar, Alpha MMA, and EFC. His first amateur bout was against Righard Burger, and he won the fight via submission in round one. Next, he faced Cameron Saaiman, and after three punch-packed rounds, he won the bout via unanimous decision.
He faced Qhayiya Pefilelater and won the match in the first round. His next battle was against Martin Gcinumkhondo, and after a couple of minutes into the first round, Walker had Gcinumkhondo in a rear naked choke that led to his submission. Afterward, he faced off against Julio Plaatjies and won the fight following five rounds via unanimous decision.
Not long after, he faced Plaatjies again, but this time, he lost the fight due to a rear naked choke submission. His next rival, Raymond Acutt, employed this same technique and Walker lost the battle.
Undeterred, Walker moved on to his first-ever professional fight at the EFC. He squared off against Martin Qcinukmondo and won the round after performing a mounted guillotine choke, leading to Qcinukmondo’s submission in round three. Next, Walker went up against Lukhmaan Jhazbhay and won the fight. He locked Jhazbhay in a triangle choke that led to his submission two minutes into round one.
Successively, Walker faced off against Dancheel Moodley in the bantamweight division. The opponents circled each other and kept their defenses up, Moodley was able to score a hit and land some high leg kicks. Walker saw an opening and delivered a left-right jab combo that saw Moodley slip to the floor, he followed up with punches and jabs, backing Moodley to a corner and offering no leeway. Soon after, the referee called the fight off, leading to Walker’s victory.
Next, he faced off French fighter Boualem Sahraoui, who came in hot with precise strikes and a successful takedown. Fortunately, he managed to get back on his feet and delivered a knee to the head before clinching up. Following this, Sahraoui landed some deadly strikes and went for a body slam before the first round was over. At the beginning of round two, Walker went for a takedown and grappled Sahraoui to the canvas before putting him in a rear naked choke that led to his submission.
Lastly was his most anticipated battle, where he faced off against Terence Balelo. Both opponents appeared equally matched and began the fight, throwing vicious jabs and seeking an opening in their defenses. Thereafter, Walker went in for a takedown and wrestled Balelo to the ground before locking him in a rear naked choke. This combo led to Walker winning the fight and the championship belt of flyweight fighter of Africa.
MMA RECORD
Gift Walker is a skilled MMA fighter who has exceeded expectations in all his fights.
W/L/D [NC] | RECORD AFTER FIGHT | OPPONENT | FIGHT LIBRARY |
W | 5-0-0 | TERENCE BALELO | https://youtu.be/pynrKKiJP84?si=SHIktSkFlSFQ2JxO |
W | 4-0-0 | BOUALEM SAHRAOUI | https://youtu.be/ea0jaY9k8T4?si=mwxzrrb3eJCh_xa |
W | 3-0-0 | DANSHEEL MOODLEY | https://youtu.be/oAeJf4ThKhM?si=6dg12bsRzhCjLEFP |
W | 2-0-0 | LUKHMAAN JHAZBHAY | |
W | 1-0-0 | MARTIN QCINUKMONDO |