Bubba Jenkins and Lucas Martins | BRAVE CF
All of the fights on the main card were finished by knockout, as Maciej Gierszewski and Cameron Else were also victorious.
In an event promoted as one of the most important nights for MMA in Europe, the action inside of the cage delivered. Influencers, celebrities and politicians watched on at the black tie, invite-only show where it was hoped that networking would help elevate MMA on the continent going forward. Only time will tell if that was indeed the case but onlookers were treated to three stunning finishes during the main card as the evening ended with a bang.
Bubba Jenkins successfully defended his featherweight title for the first time in the main event as he fended off the challenge of Brazilian UFC veteran, Lucas Martins. The former NCAA Division I wrestler absorbed some leg kicks early but successfully worked his grappling game to take his opponent down to the mat. While controlling Martin’s wrists so he couldn’t post, Jenkins landed some heavy strikes repeatedly which Martin couldn’t defend so Marc Goddard waved off the contest. It was an impressive performance from the American who cemented his position as the featherweight to beat in the BRAVE CF division.
A highlight0reel finish came in the co-main event as Polish striker, Maciej Gierszewski, knocked out SBG Ireland product, Cian Cowley, to continue his 100% knockout winning rate. During the first round, Cowley landed a number of leg kicks which looked as though they would impact the movement of Gierszewski going forward. Gierszewski attempted the takedown but Cowley utilised the underhook before gaining separation. The end came in the second round when Gierszewski landed a looping overhand right that got around Cowley’s guard which immediately sent him unconscious. The hard-hitting Pole called for a long term contract with BRAVE CF in his post-fight interview as he looks to move up the ranks in the company’s lightweight division.
The evening’s biggest upset came in the fight which kicked off the main card between Aidan James and Cameron Else. It was a bout that possibly had title implications with many suggesting that the Welshman James was one of the biggest prospects in the UK to watch out for. However, Else tore up the script within one minute of the first round when he dropped James with a big overhand right. He followed up with strikes on the ground until the referee had seen enough to earn a victory in his BRAVE CF debut. After the bout, Else told the VIP crowd to get his name out there in order to take his career to the next level. James is still early enough in his career to regroup and look to bounce back in his next fight.
During the preliminary card, Gamzat Magomedov improved to 4-1 as he used his dominant grappling to control the very game Ian Cleary. Also picking up decision victories were Rami Hamed and Louie Sanoudakis while Hussain Ayyad defeated Mitchell Johnson by a first round triangle choke in the flyweight division. The unique event also featured a charity auction to raise money for The Royal British Legion and guests were treated to various musical performances throughout the night.
The complete BRAVE CF 24 results are:-
Featherweight title – Bubba Jenkins defeated Lucas Martins by TKO at 2:48 of round one
Lightweight – Maciej Gierszewski defeated Cian Cowley by KO at 1:28 of round two
Bantamweight – Cameron Else defeated Aidan James by KO at 0:59 of round one
Welterweight – Rami Hamed defeated John Robinson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight – Louie Sanoudakis defeated James Brum by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Bantamweight – Kamzat Magomedov defeated Ian Cleary by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Flyweight – Hussain Ayyad defeated Mitchell Johnson by submission (triangle choke) at 2:29 of round one