Garreth’s professional sporting career started at the age of 19, playing flank to Top Fight Club rugby in Durban at Crusaders Rugby Club. In 2007, The Natal Rugby Union selected him for a program that meant the change from Flank to Hooker with the promise of a Natal Sharks Rugby contract. One of the requirements was that he increased his fitness levels.

Spending time with the Shark’s fitness coach, Jason Vorster, who at the time South Africa’s leading MMA coach who used the sport as a form of training. It became clear to Jason that Garreth had a natural ability and he was encouraged to pursue this direction.

Garreth agreed to an amateur fight and was hooked.

 

Garreth completed his amateur career undefeated with a 10-0 fight record. In 2008, after turning professional, Garreth won his first pro fight for Fight Club against JP Kruger. He then made the move to Johannesburg to further his career by joining South Africa’s top MMA gym, Fight Fit Militia (FFM). In 2009 Garreth started fighting for the Extreme Fight Championships (EFC).

 

Soldierboy went on to becoming one of the biggest household names in EFC South Africa as he claimed the championship title twice during his reign, but the athlete had his mind set on an international stage. Shortly after his 2nd victory, Garreth was invited to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship the most prestigious event in the MMA field.

 

After a close loss in his first UFC fight in Poland, humbled by the experience the athlete picked himself up, motivated by the unwavering support of his family, team and fans, he began gearing himself for his second and last chance to fight on the UFC circuit.

 

He fights in Dublin on the 24th OCT 2015 on the same day as the Rugby World Cup Final. What a sporting event it shall be. For fan park tickets to both events in JHB or CT please click the details below.