EPISODE · Jun 1, 2026 · 47 MIN
Inside the Mind of South Africa's Most Dominant Heavyweight | Andrew van Zyl
from Wholefull · host Sean Davey
3x EFC Heavyweight Champion Andrew "One Gear" van Zyl sits down to share the full story behind his journey from Parktown Boys' High rugby player to the top of South African MMA — and the realities of fighting that fans rarely hear about.Andrew retired in 2018 with a 19-5 record, having defeated Ruan Potts for the EFC Heavyweight title and successfully defended against Wesley "Cowboy" Mostert and Jared Vanderaa. But behind the wins were pre-fight anxiety, a hypnotherapist, a missed UFC opportunity, and a parallel career shaping young men in the classroom.In this episode we cover:00:00 Intro — meet Andrew "One Gear" van Zyl01:15 Misconceptions about MMA fighters02:30 How it started — Rodney King's Streetfight Gym & the "Couch Potato" class05:00 Andrew's first ever fight at Caesar's Palace09:00 The hiatus, becoming a teacher & getting back into MMA10:00 Signing with EFC in 2009 — first fight vs Raymond Ohana14:00 Pre-fight anxiety, hypnotherapy & the power of visualization16:30 The "One Gear" nickname and the "steel jaw" reputation19:00 The fight that stands out the most22:00 The Ruan Potts trilogy & defending the belt25:00 Why ground game dominated the EFC heavyweight division28:00 Dealing with people trying to start fights in public29:30 Being a pro fighter AND a schoolteacher at Parktown Boys33:00 Life lessons fighting taught him in the classroom35:00 Family life & raising his 4-year-old son36:30 Advice on juggling multiple careers38:00 Why everyone should try combat sports40:00 The UFC contract that went to Ruan Potts instead43:30 Dricus du Plessis & the new era of South African MMA46:00 The book everyone should readAndrew currently runs One Gear Grappling and continues teaching at Parktown Boys' High School in Johannesburg.#EFC #MMA #AndrewVanZyl #OneGear #SouthAfricanMMA #HeavyweightChampion #Podcast #DricusDuPlessis #UFC #BrazilianJiuJitsu🔔 Subscribe for more long-form conversations with South African legends👍 Like if you enjoyed — it genuinely helps the channel💬 Drop a comment: who should we have on next?
What this episode covers
3x EFC Heavyweight Champion Andrew "One Gear" van Zyl sits down to share the full story behind his journey from Parktown Boys' High rugby player to the top of South African MMA — and the realities of fighting that fans rarely hear about.Andrew retired in 2018 with a 19-5 record, having defeated Ruan Potts for the EFC Heavyweight title and successfully defended against Wesley "Cowboy" Mostert and Jared Vanderaa. But behind the wins were pre-fight anxiety, a hypnotherapist, a missed UFC opportunity, and a parallel career shaping young men in the classroom.In this episode we cover:00:00 Intro — meet Andrew "One Gear" van Zyl01:15 Misconceptions about MMA fighters02:30 How it started — Rodney King's Streetfight Gym & the "Couch Potato" class05:00 Andrew's first ever fight at Caesar's Palace09:00 The hiatus, becoming a teacher & getting back into MMA10:00 Signing with EFC in 2009 — first fight vs Raymond Ohana14:00 Pre-fight anxiety, hypnotherapy & the power of visualization16:30 The "One Gear" nickname and the "steel jaw" reputation19:00 The fight that stands out the most22:00 The Ruan Potts trilogy & defending the belt25:00 Why ground game dominated the EFC heavyweight division28:00 Dealing with people trying to start fights in public29:30 Being a pro fighter AND a schoolteacher at Parktown Boys33:00 Life lessons fighting taught him in the classroom35:00 Family life & raising his 4-year-old son36:30 Advice on juggling multiple careers38:00 Why everyone should try combat sports40:00 The UFC contract that went to Ruan Potts instead43:30 Dricus du Plessis & the new era of South African MMA46:00 The book everyone should readAndrew currently runs One Gear Grappling and continues teaching at Parktown Boys' High School in Johannesburg.#EFC #MMA #AndrewVanZyl #OneGear #SouthAfricanMMA #HeavyweightChampion #Podcast #DricusDuPlessis #UFC #BrazilianJiuJitsu🔔 Subscribe for more long-form conversations with South African legends👍 Like if you enjoyed — it genuinely helps the channel💬 Drop a comment: who should we have on next?
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Inside the Mind of South Africa's Most Dominant Heavyweight | Andrew van Zyl
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