Pupil to take it to old master

The way Dricus du Plessis tells it, Garreth "Soldier Boy" McLellan's lesson has been a long time coming.

McLellan was the resident main man at his Johannesburg mixed martial arts gym when wide-eyed Du Plessis walked in to train a few years ago.

McLellan made it very clear who was boss and freely unloaded on the youngster in sparring. It was a bruising rite of passage for the ex-farm boy, and he quietly resolved to avenge the humiliation.

Tomorrow, Du Plessis has his opportunity when he challenges his old master in the main event at EFC Africa 33 in Durban.

When the fight was made available to him, the 20-year-old Tukkies student of agriculture could not sign fast enough. He never even asked what he would be earning for his crack at the middleweight champion.

In another life, McLellan might have been turning out for the Sharks, but after a chat with Jason Vorster, a strength and conditioning coach at the union (and mixed martial arts instructor), the Crusaders club flank threw in his lot with MMA.

That was seven years ago. McLellan fought in the very first EFC Africa tournament and has since become the poster boy for local MMA, topping more fight cards than anyone else.

In the ring, McLellan exudes bad intentions. But away from the ring he is a shrewd operator who engages with fans and maintains a buzz through social media and slick PR.

"He has a great persona and is easily the most recognisable fighter we have on contract," said EFC president Cairo Howarth.

With just two defeats in his EFC career, both avenged, and a five-bout winning streak, McLellan is at his peak. Aged 32, he will not be as fast as Du Plessis, but his ground game is excellent and he can bang in stand-up, where the greatest danger will come from his opponent's kicks.

Du Plessis is 12 years younger and could become the youngest champion in EFC history. But the smart money is with the rugged master, yet again.