PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born: Kaleka Kabanda, Democratic Republic
Nickname: Block
Date of Birth: N/A
Weight: 167LBS/75.75kg
Division: lightweight, welterweight
Pro MMA Record: [6-6-0]
EARLY LIFE
Kaleka Kabanda is a phenomenon fighter in the cage. He is currently ranked #12 amongst South Africa pro Lightweight. The athlete has competed in two amateur bouts and twelve professional fights.
MMA CAREER
The fighter has participated in various MMA competitions like Cape Fight League, EFC Africa, EFC Worldwide, EFC Fight Night, and EFC. Kanda first faced Hermias Drotschie in his amateur debut. He lost following a round of strikes and blows that led to a TKO in round three. Afterward, he battled Mec Crain and lost following an armbar in round one that led to his submission.
Kabanda made his professional debut at EFC Africa, where he faced Max Sugimoto and won, following TKO by punches in the third round. Soon after, he went up against Marcel Teniers and won the battle after a unanimous decision in round three. His next opponent was Luke Micheal, and he defeated his opponent following a verbal submission in round one.
Successively, he faced Mark Hulme at EFC Worldwide 48 and lost after suffering a rear naked choke. Next, he faced Mutuale Basambambo and won the fight after a unanimous decision. Following this, he faced Pupanga Trésor and lost via unanimous decision.
Later, he squared off against Martin Van Staden. The match started with a vicious exchange of blows before the rivals relented. Kabanda went in for a leg kick, and Staden responded, but Kabanda grabbed his feet and wrestled him to the ground. Staden got back on his feet and landed a spinning elbow before a clinch. Both tried for a takedown before Staden went in for a takedown, a few elbow strikes and body shots. Kabanda slipped through and got to his feet. Staden managed a right-hand punch and elbow strike with a flying takedown before round one ended. Round two began with quick strikes from Staden and a right-hand punch. Kabanda toppled to the floor, and Staden followed with a heavy ground pound in round two.
Successively, Kabamba went up against Conrad Seabi and lost after a split decision. His next opponent was longtime rival Pupanga Tresor, and he lost the fight following a unanimous decision. Soon, he battled Jose Da Rocha Junior and lost following a split decision.
Subsequently, he faced Guelor Sondi at EFC 97. Sondi came in with a few leg kicks, but Kabanda responded with a couple of strikes and a heavy left jab. He went in for a takedown and grappled with his opponent till round one ended. Round two began with another takedown by Kabanda and a couple of elbow strikes before an arm triangle choke that led to Sondi’s submission.
Next was his last recorded bout at EFC 99, where he faced JT Botha. Botha came in with heavy punches that slipped Kabanda, but he was soon back on his feet. While exchanging blows, Botha came in with a big right-hand punch and a knee-to-head strike. Kabanda went in for a leg kick. They continued to exchange vicious blows before a takedown by Kabanda, but the two soon got back up. Botha landed some heavy strikes before a slip-up. Kabanda tried to take advantage, but Botha went in for a takedown and delivered a right-hand punch to Kabanda’s face. Kabanda managed to switch position before going in for a rear naked choke in round two.
MMA RECORD
| W/L/D[NC] | RECORD AFTER FIGHT | OPPONENT | FIGHT LIBRARY |
| W | 6-6-0 | JT BOTHA. | https://youtu.be/wlJe8fNtwkg?si=bMTFa1cQqpO2S7QG |
| W | 5-6-0 | GUELOR SONDI. | https://youtu.be/FRc6jsQyBSg?si=7lwGyh4BxoQG3W8X |
| L | 4-6-0 | JOSE DA ROCHA JUNIOR | |
| L | 4-5-0 | PUPANGA TRESOR. | |
| L | 4-4-0 | CONRAD SEABI | |
| L | 4-3-0 | MARTIN VAN STADEN. | https://youtu.be/6dYnXN2UDLU?si=LWm7jIlhP-LNgAlI |
| L | 4-2-0 | PUPANGA TRESOR. | |
| W | 4-1-0 | MUTUALE BASAMBOMBO | |
| L | 3-1-0 | MARK HULME | |
| W | 3-0-0 | LUKE MICHAEL. | |
| W | 2-0-0 | MARCEL TENIERS. | |
| W | 1-0-0 | MAX SUGIMOTO. |
