South African Fighter Booto Guylain Dies from Injuries Sustained During EFC Africa 27

South African middleweight Booto Guylain died tragically this week after succumbing to injuries sustained in his EFC Africa 27 bout with Keron Davies, which took place last Thursday. The 29-year-old was rushed to Johannesburg General Hospital after the third-round TKO loss, but the promotion announced that he had passed away on Tuesday afternoon.

Following the bout, which was stopped at 3:25 of the third round, EFC Africa announced that Guylain was being treated for swelling and bleeding on the brain.

The promotion’s president, Cairo Howarth, issued the following statement on Wednesday: “We are devastated. This is a huge loss to the sport and to all who know him. Our thoughts are with his family in this trying time.”

The middleweight was competing in the cage for the second time after suffering a second-round TKO defeat in his debut at EFC 25. There is no footage of the fight available at present, but according to reports, Guylain received “heavy blows to the head” from an opponent who was making his professional MMA debut.

In the statement released today, EFC Africa announced it would provide financial support to the wife and son of Guylain, and tributes are planned for the promotion’s next event, which is set for Johannesburg on March 27. All athletes competing at EFC Africa 28 will wear black armbands in his honour and memory.