Wessel Mostert
| Wessel Mostert | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Wess Express |
| Nationality | South African |
| Fighting out of | Johannesburg, South Africa |
Wessel "Wess Express" Mostert is a retired South African mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division.[1][2] He is a former IMMAF Amateur World Champion and competed in the Extreme Fighting Championship.[3]
Early life and background
[edit]Mostert was born in Rustenburg, in the North West Province of South Africa, where he played competitive school rugby sport.[citation needed] In 2013 he began training in mixed martial arts at The Tribe gym under the tutelage of trainer Walter Wendt in Johannesburg, Gauteng.[1]
Amateur career
[edit]Mostert had an undefeated amateur run, accumulating a record of 7–0 with all victories coming by way of finish.[4] During this time, he won the domestic Fightstar heavyweight championship.
In July 2014, Mostert traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, to represent South Africa at the inaugural International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Amateur World Championships. He won the tournament to become the 2014 IMMAF Heavyweight World Champion, earning a top-3 amateur ranking in the United States.[5][6][7]
Professional career
[edit]Mostert turned professional and signed a contract with Africa's MMA organization, EFC Worldwide. Mostert began his professional career with a five-fight winning streak.[8] Mostert secured victories against Wilhelm Strauss via knockout and Ivan Strydom via guillotine choke.
EFC Heavyweight Championship bout
[edit]On 8 July 2017, the undefeated Mostert faced reigning champion and veteran Andrew van Zyl for the EFC Heavyweight Championship at EFC 61, held at the Sun City Super Bowl.[9][10] In a contested back-and-forth encounter, Mostert suffered the first defeat of his professional career, losing via third-round technical knockout (TKO).[11][12]
Mixed martial arts record
[edit]| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
5–1 | Andrew van Zyl | TKO (punches) | EFC 61 | 8 July 2017 | 3 | 2:23 | Sun City, South Africa | For the EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Won | 5–0 | Tony Mustard | TKO | EFC 57 | 4 March 2017 | 1 | — | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| Won | 4–0 | Nico Yamdjie | Decision (unanimous) | EFC 54 | 15 October 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Sun City, South Africa | |
| Won | 3–0 | Ivan Strydom | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC 52 | 5 August 2016 | 1 | — | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| Won | 2–0 | Wilhelm Strauss | KO (punches) | EFC 49 | 13 May 2016 | 1 | — | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| Won | 1–0 | Thomas Swanepoel | TKO | EFC 38 | 4 April 2015 | 1 | — | Johannesburg, South Africa | Professional debut. |
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]- International Mixed Martial Arts Federation
- 2014 IMMAF Heavyweight World Champion
- 2014 IMMAF Heavyweight World Champion
- Fightstar MMA
- Fightstar Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- EFC Worldwide
- Fight of the Year Nominee (2017 – vs. Andrew van Zyl)
Mysoektog documentary
[edit]In 2021, Mostert, Nico Moolman,Tumelo Mokoena, Piet Lombard, Theo Molebatsi, Twin Mosia, Leon Meyer, and Dawie Fourie took a horse-cart journey across South Africa, starting in Vereeniging, Gauteng, and passing through different towns in the Free State before ending up in Utrecht, KwaZulu-Natal province.[13][14] The team filmed a documentary called My Soektog using a Cape Cart, including six horses, and reenacted how traveling was done in the old days.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 "Mostert". EFC Worldwide. May 22, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ Tao (July 10, 2018). "'BULOWAYO BOMBER' HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH THE 'WESS EXPRESS' IN SUN CITY". EFC Worldwide. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ elainenaidoo (October 7, 2017). "Durban legend faces undefeated warrior". Rising Sun Newspapers. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ Tao (September 19, 2017). "HEAVYWEIGHT ACTION ON SABC 3". EFC Worldwide. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Tuff-N-Uff - 2014 IMMAF World Championships: Finals — Full Fight Card, Date & Time". next-fight.com. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Wessel Mostert vs. Leeroy Johnson, IMMAF 2014 World Championships | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/immaf-and-tuff-n-uff-to-run-first-ever-amateur-mma-world-championships-next-week-in-vegas
- ↑ Mag, L. W. (October 16, 2016). "EFC 54 Results". LW Mag. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ Jones, Clinton (July 5, 2017). "Dog-eat-dog clash takes centre stage at EFC 61". The Citizen. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ Jones, Clinton (December 13, 2017). "Andrew van Zyl ready to get into top gear". The Citizen. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ Tao (July 8, 2017). "SUPERBOWL READY TO RUMBLE". EFC Worldwide. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Andrew van Zyl vs. Wessel Mostert, EFC Worldwide 61 | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ Barnard, Jandrí. "'n Perdekarreis vir die boeke". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- ↑ Smith, Charles. "Groep reis van Vegkop na Amajuba in 'n spaaider". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). Retrieved July 17, 2026.