Igeu Kabesa South African Lightweight Contender
Igeu Kabesa, known as Smiley, is a 31-year-old lightweight fighting out of Sunninghill, Johannesburg, South Africa. Standing 5'9" and training at QuanWessels BJJ & MMA Academy, Kabesa has compiled a professional record of 19 wins and 3 losses. He has appeared in six MMA bouts over his last 18 months, with at least two fights contested at lightweight—a pattern that underpins both his divisional focus and his rise in regional standing.
Kabesa is currently ranked number 17 in the Middle East & Africa region and holds the same position in the South Africa subregion, meeting the requirement of a minimum of two fights per region among his last six outings. His blend of disciplined grappling roots and evolving striking game reflects the BJJ foundation he built in Johannesburg. As he eyes a move inside the top 15, Kabesa’s record and regional consistency suggest he is on the cusp of broader recognition in a crowded lightweight field.
