In the 2021 Copa Combate, 15-fight veteran Frans Mlambo has his eyes set on winning a life-changing $100,000 prize by “bringing havoc” to the competitors in Combate Global’s year-end tradition.
Combate Global’s eight-man tournament on Dec. 12 will require competitors to compete three different times in one night. First, in a five-minute round in the quarters and semifinals, then a three-round championship bout to win a fat $100,000 check. Tournaments are a grueling test on fight night, but can also require a great deal of preparation and strategy. Especially for an event like the Copa Combate, where fighters can’t waste a second with such little time offered in the first two rounds.
Yet for Mlambo (10-5), he will not have some grand plan for the tournament. He doesn’t think he needs it as a fighter that often gets off to quick starts, and has never been a fan of watching fight video to get a wealth of knowledge on upcoming opponents.
Frans Mlambo wants to unleash ‘havoc’ on Dec. 12 at the Copa Combate
“I feel like I always usually win the first round. So strategically I don’t know. I’ll just kind of see what [quaterfinal opponent Jose Zarauz] does and knock that out,” Mlambo told MixedMartialArts.com.
“In general I don’t study my opponents. I haven’t studied this guy, but I know what I’m bringing to the table, and I feel like that’s what he kind of has to deal with. Kind of deal with me,” he added. “That’s what all of them have to do is deal with me. Because I’m bringing havoc to every single one of these guys.”
That doesn’t mean the native of South Africa — who now lives in Ireland and will rep the emerald isle in the tourney — did not work hard in preparation for Sunday night. He recently quit his long-time job as a landscaper to train full-time and make sure he was in the best shape of his career. So he would be ready to compete in multiple fights, and for the unpredictable wait times that could come in between bouts.
“I just kind of made myself as fit as I could possibly be, and I feel I’m at that level. So, whatever happens, isn’t really gonna change much. I feel really good and I’m fit. So even if it’s a 10 [minute wait between fights], five, or 25 minutes I’m good with that. I’m fully prepared for whatever comes. For the expected and the unexpected. So just bring it on,” said Mlambo.
Will Bellator regret not re-signing “The Zulu Irishman”?
The 30-year-old is finishing his sixth year in the sport, and he has certainly gotten around in that times. Competing for BAMMA, Brave CF, Worldwide MMA Alliance Championship, and Bellator. In a way, it is somewhat surprising he’s even in the position he is on Dec. 12, because he had a solid run in Bellator. Winning three of his four bouts in their cage. However, the promotion chose not to retain his services, and it’s something Mlambo is still perplexed by a year later.
“It definitely wasn’t a choice I made. I really didn’t get any reason for it,” says Mlambo. “What happened was they just didn’t re-sign my contract. I had a four-fight contract I finished, and they were like, ‘see ya later.’ Look, we’re here now after all that, so it’s working out so far.”
A great deal of change could come to Mlambo’s life if he wins $100K at the Copa Combate
And the here and now is the chance to win a sum of money he admits would change his life.
“It’s 100 grand, how would it not change my lifestyle?” Mlambo said with a laugh. “I don’t have a 100 grand right now. Obviously, I’m not gonna get the full 100 grand with paying [trainers] off and [taxes] but whatever it ends up being it’s gonna change things for me for the better.”
If he is victorious on Sunday, Mlambo’s decision to be a full-time fighter will look like a stroke of genius. He would also make Bellator seem silly for choosing not to re-sign him. And he could eventually be planning a wedding, as will buy an engagement ring for his girlfriend of 12 years with a piece of that $100,000 purse.
The Copa Combate takes place at Univision’s studio in Miami, Fla. The event kicks off at 10 pm ET and will be simulcast in English and Spanish on Paramount+ and Univision, respectively.