England's Yannick Bahati has antagonised South African fans ahead of his fight against Dricus du Plessis at EFC 62 and his antics are now spreading to SA media as well.
In the build-up to his champion versus champion bout against EFC welterweight champion Du Plessis, Bahati has now ducked two media engagements while keeping a steady stream of vile smack talk locked on his opponent, and SA fans.
On 10 July Bahati was scheduled to appear on the MMA News Channel 'The Clinch' via Skype, but cancelled at the last minute. On Tuesday 8 August, Bahati was scheduled to join the Big Al Podcast, but again declined to appear at the last minute.
"He tries to intimidate me with mind games, but he doesn't understand how it's done," said Du Plessis. "His body language is an obvious giveaway.
"He doesn't believe his own trash talk, he doesn't believe in himself, and it shows. There is nothing in what he says or what he's done that I find worrying."
While Bahati bobbed and weaved from his media engagements, Du Plessis took the opportunity to analyse his opponent on air.
"Yes, he has a very strong upper body, but I see that as a liability in this fight," said Du Plessis.
"He will want to take me down because he can't match me standing, but he only has three takedown attempts before he gasses. Looking at his record he hasn't qualified to fight me," he concluded.