The super-confident Hwende represents his home nation of Zimbabwe but has lived and trained in South Africa for several years. And, ahead of his bout with South African Ndebele, Hwende has turned up the psychological warfare.
“We can really see who is the true African champion. And I’m sure I am the champion, the real one. I’m more of a South African, more than Nkosi,” said Hwende, who lives and trains in Johannesburg.
“For me, it’s not about flying overseas training. It’s always about training with my brothers and sisters, and then we go perform,” he explained.
“Nkosi, if he got [the belt], of course, you go overseas. I don’t understand his way, but I think it’s good for him. But for me… I’m really proud to call myself that I’m gonna be a South African champion!”
It’s a direct jab at Ndebele, who trains at SOMA Fight Club in Bali, Indonesia, rather in his homeland. And for Hwende, it’s a chance to pierce the huge confidence Ndebele brings into the bout following his victories in his world title trilogy with former champion Jose “Shorty” Torres.
Hwende’s confidence is impossible to miss. He has had his sights set on the bantamweight title ever since his arrival in BRAVE CF, and he gets the chance to capture 135-pound gold at BRAVE CF 91 on Friday, December 13 in the first of two BRAVE CF events during BRAVE International Combat Week in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Hwende captured the bantamweight title for South African promotion EFC back in 2022 before signing for BRAVE CF. Now he plans on repeating the feat by capturing bantamweight gold once again.
His clash with Ndebele should deliver a spectacular showcase of African mixed martial arts.
