‘Don't be afraid of your light’ – SA MMA fighter Faeez 'Troublemaker' Jacobs

JOHANNESBURG – Stories coming out of the Cape Flats are of drugs, alcoholism, gangsterism, heartbreak and desperation.

Rising above it all is the story of Faeez "Troublemaker" Jacobs, who uses his survival skills in the hexagon.

The mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and former EFC (Extreme Fighting Championship) bantamweight champion has a professional MMA record of 10-5-0 (win-loss-draw).

"Growing up on the Cape Flats, you see many negative examples of life and living. Drugs, alcoholism, gangsterism, thieving, and the list goes on. I want the kids to have something more positive to identify with, and I can accept that responsibility as me - I am a leader and a hard-working man, you'll always see me running and training and I try my best to be positive and speak to people with respect and make sure I conduct myself in an honourable manner."

MMA is about two warriors testing their strengths and skills. It goes beyond punches and kicks, it’s about resilience and having the courage under pressure.

"I am a coach and although my gym, Troublemakers Mixed Martial Arts is not on the Cape Flats, I have many that train at my space and I plan on having many more. I just want to do my part to create more opportunities for those who need it," said Jacobs to Eyewitness News.

The MMA combines various fighting styles from wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing and kickboxing, making it exciting to watch.

"I've learned that being true to yourself is the only way to live, that if you fill yourself with outside junk, it will still be you in all that junk. Trust in God, trust in yourself and anything is possible when you believe in yourself and the power that you have been given to manifest your greatest human potential. Anything less is rooted in either fear or insecurity, don't be afraid of your own light."

In his recent fight at EFC113, the Troublemaker took on Zimbabwean, Sylvester Chipfumbu, in the hexagon. With Chipfumbu having beaten the Capetonian before, Jacobs made it a point to dominate in their latest match-up.

"I feel proud of my performance. I was dialed in and focused completely on the task. The recipe I used for this fight in terms of training and mental produced the best results," said Jacobs to Eyewitness News.

The 29-year-old has produced jaw-dropping knockouts: he was EFC bantamweight champion of the world after beating Nkazimulo Zulu for the belt, among other great moments. And he says some are memorable to him.

"Submitting Jaures 'The Crazy Cameroonian' Dea in a co-main event in the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and silencing the crowd. Knocking out Billy Oosthuizen on a 24-hour notice fight. Knocking out Sylvester Chipfumbu in spectacular fashion and setting the stage for my takeover and announcing myself as the number 1 contender."

Jacobs has been a coach with the Laureus Sport for Good Bom Combat martial arts programme. He also has titles at a number of levels: as the Western Cape amateur kickboxing champion, the South African amateur kickboxing champion, the Cape Fight League amateur kickboxing champion and the South African Kickboxing Association (SAKA) Pro Kickboxing champion.

"We need to make MMMA available to those areas (rural and townships) and for companies to get involved to assist with gear, transport, to pay coaches to go to teach these kids martial arts as well as a meal for the kids.

"You don't know if many of them have eaten. If this can be done, a weekly schedule can be worked out and the kids can get the training they deserve. It's not an issue of whether it's possible, it's an issue of who is willing to assist to make it happen."