We caught up with Sindile Manengela, ahead of him defending his title on 4 June.
- How did you get into the sport?
I've been always into martial arts since I was young, I started Judo at the age of 8. When I saw some clips of mma I think it was 2010/2011 I'm not really sure, I immediately fell in love with the sport. The rest was history.
- Who is your biggest inspiration?
My inspiration is Chris Bright no doubt about it, he's a great person on and off the sport. I'm looking up to him.
- What does your training week consist of?
We have 5 mma morning sessions a week from Monday to Friday, they start at 9 o'clock to 11:30/12 o'clock (in those sessions we cover almost everything, from striking, wrestling to grappling).
Then we'll have strength and conditioning in the midday, finish with bjj every night. I also have 2 Judo sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays after bjj sessions. Plus 1 open mat session on Saturdays.
We also have stretching and flexibility sessions 2 to 3 times a week with Stirling his our Biokinetic. Last but not least, I do mental strength sessions as with William 2 to 3 a week as well, especially when I have a fight coming. He's in overseas at the moment, so we our sessions over the phone.
- What does it take to defend a title?
Defending this title means a lot, I'll do everything in my power to bring it back here in Gqeberha (PE).
- How long before the fight is your weigh-in? What happens when you are over the weight limit, how long do you have to lose the weight?
We do weigh-ins a day before the fight. When one misses weight (which has never happened to me) they still get 2 hours extra before the officials close the scale.
- How does your nutrition change from 3 months out to 2 weeks prior to a fight ?
- How long does it take to recover from a title/ major fight?
The recovery after a fight depends on how long your fight was and how your body is feeling, other than that we get back to training as quick as we can
What would a post-fight debrief look like with you and your coach, does that form the basis of your action plan for the next fight?
- What is your favorite submission or knockout?
My favorite submission at the moment it has to be a darce-choke.
- What are your favorite STANCE socks?
My favorite STANCE socks at the are the Simpsons ones 
Stand a chance of winning Sindile's walkout kit.
3 easy steps to stand a chance of winning:
1. Link in our bio to the interview with Sindile - read it and leave a comment wishing our Champ well.
2. Follow @sindilemanengela
3. Follow @stancesocks_sa
Winner to be announced on Monday 6 June 2022 🤞
27 comments
Luyolo Tili
All the best
Kobus Pieterse
EFC Bantamweight Champion – Sindile Manengela
Annie Perkins
Let’s go! Going to be amazing!!
Janice
Goooooooooo Sindile…………..:) you got this !!!!!!!!!!!!!!💪
Raabiah
Good luck Sindile
Noah
Keep raisin the mma bar high champpp
Zeah
All the best Sindile 🙌
Chloe Jade
you got this champ👌
Weslynn
Good Luck Sindile!!!!!
Tarryn
Good Luck Sindile 😁
Dante
Good Luck Sindile !!!
Bridget
Best of luck Sindile 😁 you’ve got this Champ 🏆🔥
Simon George
The absolute best of luck to Sindile for his match. Mans will maintain the title 🏆
Sharon
Good luck.
Bianca Stander
AND STILL… you DESERVE to be Champ! Good luck and I’ll see you this weekend.
Anesh
Go kick some a$$ champ… You got this
Jonathan Quirk
Let’s go champ 🏆💪☝
Miguel Harker
From Zwide streets to World Champ…. Our Captain we always stand proud with you!
Kim
Good Luck!
Bafana
Goodluck Sindile the Champion that gives the young generation hope#Andstill
Shayan Parbhoo
Smash it Sindile!
Dewald
What a great inspiration and such a good mentor for the children as well. Go champ.
Jason Du Randt
Let’s go Captain Sindile & PESFA 🔥
Sam
Let’s go champ!!!
Ev
Good luck Sindile – #andstill
Nikki
Good luck Sindile – you’ve got this.
Adam Cooper
Good Luck Sindile, you’ve got this that title will remain in your hands 🥊💪
P.S That Walk out Jersey is Fire 🔥