Asiashu Tshitamba began MMA training in 2014 with a background in boxing and Muay Thai. Tshitamba is now a top-10 bantamweight in South Africa despite an over two-year layoff following three consecutive losses. The layoff for Tshitamba, who has never been finished, seems to have paid off, as he enters tonight off back-to-back victories, including a decision over Vince Bembe in April.

 

Karim Henniene went unbeaten in five amateur bouts and is currently 4-0 since becoming a pro in September 2022. Henniene is a Tristar Gym product and a former amateur featherweight champion. Henniene, who still seeks his first finish, defeated Mitch Strazzela in November.

 

Who is the next to move on at bantamweight?

 

 

Round 1

 

Tshitamba with a jab. Tshitamba misses a wide high kick. Front kick to the body by Tshitamba. Low kick by Tshitamba. Henniene charges forward with a combination. Another kick from Tshitamba brings him back. Tshitamba tries to work the low kick. Henniene with a low kick, but Tshitamba lands a jab. Front kick and a punch by Henniene. Henniene with a one-two. Low kick from Tshitamba. A couple of low kicks from Tshitamba again. Henniene now lands a low kick. Front kick by Tshitamba. One-two from Henniene, who charges forward. Right hand from Henniene.

 

Hard round kick to the body by Tshitamba. Another low kick from Tshitamba. Calf kick from Henniene. Another Tshitamba low kick. A pair of combinations from Henniene. Round kick by Tshitamba. Tshitamba with a small flurry, but Henniene responds with a counter right hand. Low kick from Tshitamba. Henniene shoots in and scores the takedown. Tshitamba looks to get up, but Henniene now threatens an Anaconda choke! Tshitamba lands a series of left hands to the body. Tshitamba gets up in the closing seconds, but Henniene lands a series of shots before the horn. Embed Tweet:

 

 

Round 2

 

Tshitamba with a strong right hand in an early exchange. One-two by Tshitamba. Low kick from Tshitamba. Right hand from Tshitamba, but Henniene responds in kind. Low kick by Henniene. Front kick to the body by Tshitamba. Henniene moving on the outside. Tshitamba with a combination. Tshitamba with a low kick. Another low kick by Tshitamba. Strong right hand by Tshitamba. Henniene catches Tshitamba coming in with a clubbing right hand.

 

Henniene appears to be trying to bait Tshitamba into a striking war. One-two by Tshitamba. Tshitamba misses a low kick. Left hand by Henniene. Body shot by Henniene. Both men miss jabs. Henniene shoots in and scores a takedown. Right hand by Henniene. A couple of light strikes upstairs by Tshitamba. A pair of left hands from Tshitamba. The ref stands the two up with 15 seconds left. Low kick by Tshitamba. Front kick by Tshitamba. One-two by Henniene.

 

 

 

Round 3

 

A pair of right hands from Tshitamba. Left hand by Tshitamba. Henniene misses a low kick. Right hand by Tshitamba. One-two from Henniene. One-two by Tshitamba. Right hand from Tshitamba misses. Side kick by Henniene. Left hand over the top by Tshitamba. Tshitamba misses a right hook. Counter right hand by Henniene. Right hand by Tshitamba. Left hand lands for Tshitamba.

 

Tshitamba lands a kick into the midsection. He throws another but eats a right hand from Henniene. Henniene with a solid one-two to answer. Round kick by Tshitamba. Both men land hooks to the head. Henniene comes in and scores a takedown with a minute left in the fight, landing in side control. A couple of right hands from Tshitamba. Some inside shots from both men on the ground as the fight ends.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Karim Henniene def. Asiashu Tshitamba via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)