Namibian mixed martial arts fighter Veja Hinda is gearing up for another major step in his professional career when he takes on South African bantamweight contender Bheki Ngcobo.
The battle, to be hosted at EFC 134 in Johannesburg, South Africa, takes place on 4 June.
The bout marks Hinda’s second appearance as a professional athlete under the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) banner, as the fast-rising Namibian continues to establish himself on the African MMA scene.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Hinda said he is fully prepared after an intensive five-week training camp split between Namibia and South Africa.
“This is going to be my second fight as a professional athlete. I’ll be competing at EFC 134, and my opponent is Bheki Ngcobo from South Africa. The training camp has been about five weeks, and I’ve done half in Namibia at Kosoto MMA and the other half at Pride Fighting Academy in Cape Town. I’m just grateful to be able to go out there and perform. Thank you to the people behind the scenes for making this possible. The takeover starts now,” said Hinda.
Hinda heads into the contest carrying the hopes of Namibian MMA supporters after building a strong reputation over the past few years. Before turning professional, he made headlines by winning Namibia’s first-ever gold medal at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Africa Championships, where he stopped all three of his opponents in dominant fashion.
Over the past year, the Namibian fighter has continued sharpening his craft through regional competitions and elite training opportunities, earning recognition as one of the country’s most promising combat sports athletes. His move to train at Pride Fighting Academy in Cape Town is seen as another major step in elevating his technical ability and exposure at the continental level.
His opponent, Ngcobo, enters the bout with significantly more professional experience. The South African fighter, nicknamed “Dog Danger,” boasts a professional MMA record of three wins and five losses, with most of his victories coming through submission finishes.
Ngcobo has competed regularly in EFC over the last few years and shared the cage with several respected bantamweight fighters in South Africa. Among his notable victories are submission wins over Vincent Nakana and Mickey Cloete, both secured via ankle locks.
Although Ngcobo endured a difficult 2024 and 2025 campaign with losses against Ntando Zondi, Nathanial Komana, and Thimna Mhlauli, he remains a dangerous and experienced opponent because of his grappling ability and cage experience.
For Hinda, the fight represents another opportunity to prove that Namibian fighters can compete at the highest levels of African MMA. A victory in Johannesburg would significantly boost his standing within the EFC ranks and further cement his reputation as one of Namibia’s brightest martial arts prospects.