Durban teen adopts 'messy' Dricus fight style

AMANZIMTOTI teenage MMA fighter Abigail Deneys thinks her messy fight style can take her all the way to the top, just like it did with current South African-born UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis.

- JEHRAN NAIDOO

Deneys, 15, just returned from Abu Dhabi where she fought in the World Youth MMA Championship for South Africa in the 77kg class. Deneys won gold by default because her opponent pulled out of the fight.

“Definitely, having a messy and clumsy fight style can work in your favour...I feel like if it has worked for Dricus, then why can’t it work for me.”

Deneys said she was disappointed she didn’t get to throw down in the octagon, a place she’s grown familiar with since joining the sport just under a year ago. Under the careful direction of her coaches, Greg Thomas and Amanda Lino from Bushido Gym in Amanzimtoti, Deneys is hopeful to leave her mark on the sport.

“T really wish I could have fought in Abu Dhabi because it’s not about medals for me. I genuinely enjoy getting into that cage and on the mat and just fighting. I feel like if | got the chance to fight, whether I got the gold or not, I would have been happy. Getting it by default kind of makes me feel like I cheated.