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EFC 74: Calum Murrie: I have the tools to nullify Igeu Kabesa's game

Scotland's Calum Murrie says the fans are in for a treat in his championship fight with EFC featherweight king Igeu Kabesa in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The duo will headline EFC 74, with Murrie expecting a wild affair at Carnival City.

"I can see it being all over the canvas... striking, grappling - it's going to be a fun one to watch," Murrie told KweséESPN.

"I'm gonna go out there and put on a show for the fans. It's a main event spot, that's what it's all about."

Murrie (4-1) enters proceedings on the back of submitting ex-title challenger Pierre Botha (8-7) with an armbar at the same venue in April, having previously suffered the only loss of his career via unanimous decision to former champion Boyd Allen (16-3-1).

Murrie, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with a strong kicking game, has high regard for Kabesa (10-1) and plenty insight on what the dominant wrestler is all about.

The Scotsman's teammate Danny Henry (11-2) lost the EFC belt over five rounds to Kabesa in 2016 before evening the score against 'Smiley' with a first-round anaconda choke submission in March last year.

Soon after Henry was signed by the UFC where he has gone 2-0, which includes a fight-of-the-night showing against Daniel Teymur.

"I train with Danny Henry every night, we are teammates.

"Yes, I know what Kabesa is all about. He's legit but so am I," says Murrie, who trains under James Doolan at Higher Level MMA in Whitburn.

"His strength is his wrestling and I don't really consider him weak anywhere. I just feel I'm better on the feet and on the mat.

"I'm the better striker and more unorthodox," adds the rangy, taekwondo practitioner.

Murrie also believes his BJJ can stifle Kabesa's suffocating ground game.

"I know it can nullify his wrestling game, but I think people can be writing off my own wrestling skills."

The 30-year-old says beating Kabesa, who has TKO'd Botha and Paulo Silva (22-13) since his defeat to Henry, could have a major bearing on his future in the sport.

"Winning the title would be huge for me. It would really give me a marker of where to set my sights on going in this game," he said.