South African · Pretoria, South Africa · Born 20 December 2000Cameron Saaiman, nicknamed 'MSP', is a South African mixed martial artist and former EFC Bantamweight Champion who became one of the youngest fighters to sign with the UFC after an undefeated regional run.
Cameron Alexander Saaiman, nicknamed 'MSP', was born on December 20, 2000, in Pretoria, South Africa, and began training in martial arts at age 12 after watching a live MMA event, starting with kickboxing and quickly becoming a South African K-1 kickboxing champion. He trained under coach Morne Visser alongside future UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, whom he cites as a major inspiration. Saaiman made his professional MMA debut in December 2019 with South Africa's EFC Worldwide promotion, and built an undefeated 6-0 record entirely in regional competition. His signature achievement came on June 4, 2022, when he defeated defending champion Sindile Manengela by unanimous decision to win the EFC Bantamweight Championship in the promotion's main event. Saaiman vacated his title later that year after an impressive third-round knockout win on Dana White's Contender Series, earning a UFC contract and becoming, at 21, the youngest South African fighter ever signed by the promotion. He made his official UFC debut in December 2022, defeating Steven Koslow by third-round TKO, and has continued competing in the UFC bantamweight division, taking a break from competition in 2024 to address training and recovery routines before returning to the octagon.
Winning the EFC Bantamweight title with an unbeaten record before becoming the youngest South African fighter signed by the UFC
Career Honours
- EFC Bantamweight Champion (2022)
- South African K-1 kickboxing champion
- Youngest South African fighter signed by the UFC (age 21)
- Trained under Dricus du Plessis
South African Athletes