Cape Town is preparing to step onto the global stage of combat sports as the Knox Legacy Series has officially been announced. The initiative is championed by Dricus du Plessis and supported by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, EFC President Cairo Howarth, and Knox Hydrate founders Ethan Hughes and Dricus du Plessis. The first installment of the series will take place on February 26, 2026, at the GrandWest Grand Arena, setting the tone for what is expected to become an annual showcase of South African talent with its roots firmly in Cape Town.
The event is being positioned not just as a fight night but as a platform built to elevate local athletes, create new opportunities within the industry and push Cape Town forward as a leader in martial arts culture. Several athletes have already been confirmed to represent the city in the 2026 event, including Faeze “Troublemaker” Jacobs, the current three-time EFC Bantamweight Champion; Luke Michael, the reigning Middleweight Champion; Terrence Balo; Tumelo “Mellow” Manyamla; and Adriaan Sanchez, who is expected to face an international opponent that will be announced soon. More names and the full fight card will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Mayor Hill-Lewis expressed that this has been a long-term vision for the city and that Cape Town has the passion and fanbase to support an event of this scale. He emphasised that every effort will be made to ensure the event is unforgettable and that it could signal the city’s potential to host even larger title bouts in the future. Ethan Hughes echoed this sentiment and explained that the Knox Legacy Series has been building behind the scenes for some time and that its arrival in Cape Town feels both natural and overdue.
Dricus du Plessis added that the series goes beyond entertainment. According to him, it aims to create a sustainable ecosystem for athletes, encouraging the growth of martial arts as both a sport and a lifestyle. He said that giving back to the sport that shaped his life has been a driving motivation behind this project and that Cape Town offers the right foundation to grow it.
As anticipation builds, more announcements are expected soon, including details on matchups, international opponents and broadcast information. What is becoming clear is that Cape Town is not just hosting this series. It is positioning itself as a central hub for the future of martial arts in South Africa and potentially the world. The Knox Legacy Series 2026 is the beginning of a new chapter, one where Cape Town moves beyond being a supporter of MMA and steps into the role of a leader.
