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After Marc Diakiese , here is a second Congolese at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the most prestigious mixed martial arts (MMA) league in the world. After reigning on the EFC, a league in South Africa, Dalcha Lungiambula intends to shine in the UFC. Presentation of a fighter born in Kinshasa.
A vocation, a passion, sometimes does not count for much. That of Dalcha Lungiambula for combat sports was born the day his father offered him a karate dress ("keikogi"), when he was 8 years old. " I saw the drawing on the kimono and I immediately became interested in martial arts ," said the Congolese born in Kinshasa. He represented a karateka who pushed a kiai [the cry, karate, Ed] . It inspired me. I wanted to become a martial arts master and a sportsman. This is where it all began .
The kid finally opts for judo, a discipline more widespread in Central Africa and which has been successful. " I was national champion in the DRC , he recalls. I also defended the colors of my country. I have been everywhere, thanks to judo. I participated in the World Championships in Thailand [the World Juniors 2008, Editor's note] ".
Economic exile in South Africa
The Kinois keeps a good memory of his early years, spent in school and on the tatami of a club in the commune of Ngiri-Ngiri. " My life was sport ," he says. After school, I spent all my time at judo. If the training started at 4 pm, I was there an hour before the start, to arrange the equipment .
In 2009, Dalcha Lungiambula is however caught up by the economic reality. His father, who is an auto electrician, has more and more trouble making ends meet. The judoka also struggles to provide for his loved ones. He decided, after a trip with his team in South Africa, to settle there " to look for some opportunities ". " I thought it was time, too, for me to help my parents stay and fight like a man ."
The first few months are difficult, even though Dalcha Lungiambula says he has not suffered from xenophobia, which may be aimed at Congolese in South Africa. " I was a stranger, in a place I did not know, without the support of my family. I searched where to eat and sleep. But I fought, "he says.
The MMA revelation
After a few months in Johannesburg, the person goes to Cape Town, looking for odd jobs. It is at the southern tip of the continent that the life of Dalcha Lungiambula rocking again. " I worked as a security guard in a bar. And, one day, a client told me about MMA. That's when I became interested in this discipline , he says. This client told me that with MMA, you could make money. It was an opportunity .
The refugee then joins a local club. After some amateur fights, the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) , one of the best professional leagues in Africa, the benchmark in 2014. At EFC, Dalcha Lungiambula is irresistible, if we except a single defeat ( in 2015) in ten fights. So much so that, after winning and retaining the light-heavyweight king's belt, the so-called "Champion" calls for a showdown with heavyweight boss Andrew van Zyl in June 2018. And the victory is still the appointment.
Master in two different weight classes at EFC, Dalcha Lungiambula feels ready to tackle the Everest of the MMA, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In December 2018, the Congolese signed a contract with the UFC.
A good start to the UFC
In June 2019, in Minneapolis, Dalcha Lungiambula made his debut in the United States. He imposes himself brilliantly against the American Dequan Townsend. " In general, we do not give many chances to African fighters , says the winner. When you go to the US, everyone tells you it's different there, that people work hard, that they're tough. But I have a very personal conviction : nothing will stop me from achieving my goal. I am a great champion. If I did it in Africa, I can do it all over the world . "
Before his first appearance at the UFC, Dalcha Lungiambula crosses the head of the evening, Francis Ngannou. With the Cameroonian star , he exchanges some kind words. " He asked me where I came from and what category I was fighting for ," says Kinois. He told me that people were beefy at Light-Heavyweight. I said, ' Do not worry, champion. I will, my brother. 'He was surprised by my first fight. He sent me a text message of encouragement that I really appreciated .
Like him, Ngannou arrived at the UFC after his thirties. " Francis is a source of inspiration for me and for any African who wants to do MMA. It is the pride of the continent. It gives us the desire, the motivation and the conviction that we can do it. And if you look at the UFC, we are more and more numerous. Africa is coming. I think we will conquer all the titles. It's time for Africa to shine .
To be recognized in the DRC
Next step for Dalcha Lungiambula, November 9 in Moscow, against the Russian Magomed Ankalaev. " He is fast, powerful and intelligent," admits the African. But if he's strong, I'll be stronger than him. If he's smart, I'll be smarter than him. In all respects, I will double what he does . "
With a second success the UFC and eleventh in twelve fights pros MMA, Dalcha Lungiambula hopes, moreover, to be more (re) known in his country. Popular with the Congolese community in South Africa, it remains relatively anonymous in the DRC. " MMA does not really have any influence in Congo. People do not know this discipline, unlike what can happen in South Africa, Angola or Nigeria, countries that have champions , he says. But I know that one day my wish will come true : I will return to my country and I will say who I am. And, why not, meet President Felix Tshilombo Tshisekedi , as Junior Boxer Ilunga Makabu did, after fighting in Russia . "