Tag: BRAVE Combat Federation

BRAVE CF 54: Full Results

BRAVE CF 54 went down today (Sat. September 25) in Konin, Poland. Headlining the nine-fight card was a BRAVE CF lightweight title bout between France’s Amin Ayoub.  Ayoub was looking to become the first man in the promotion’s history to successfully defend the lightweight title after capturing it at BRAVE CF 44. The co-main event […]

BRAVE CF 54 went down today (Sat. September 25) in Konin, Poland. Headlining the nine-fight card was a BRAVE CF lightweight title bout between France’s Amin Ayoub. 

Ayoub was looking to become the first man in the promotion’s history to successfully defend the lightweight title after capturing it at BRAVE CF 44. The co-main event of the night was a catchweight clash between Ireland’s Blaine O’Driscoll and rising star Muhammad Mokaev.

Here are the full results from BRAVE CF 54

  • BRAVE CF Lightweight World Championship: Ahmed Amir def. Amin Ayoub via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) 
  • 58.87kg Catchweight:  Muhammad Mokaev def. Blaine O’Driscoll via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:36 of Round 2.
  • Super Welterweight: Marcin Bandel def. Magomed Ayskhanov via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:38 of Round 1.
  • Super Lightweight: Marcel Grabinski def. Mihail Kotruta via TKO (strikes) at 4:57 of Round 1.
  • Super Welterweight: Ismail Naurdiev def. Olli Santalahti via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27).
  • Women’s Strawweight: Ewelina Wozniak def. Samin Kamal Beik via TKO (strikes) at 0:30 of Round 2.
  • Featherweight: Omar Solomonov def. Rafael Hudson via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:12 of Round 2.
  • Super Welterweight: Axel Sola def. Wawrzyniec Bartnik via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
  • Bantamweight: Bilal Tipsaev vs. Glenn McVeigh ends in a draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28).

Exclusive: Ismail Naurdiev Returns At BRAVE CF 54 ‘I Am Looking For The Title’

Austria’s Ismail Naurdiev is looking to return to the winner’s circle when he takes on Finland’s Olli Santalahti in a super welterweight clash at BRAVE CF 54 in Poland on Sat. September 25. The Chechen-born fighter, known as the “Austrian Wonderboy” due to his crowd-pleasing striking abilities, made his promotional debut at BRAVE CF 50 […]

Austria’s Ismail Naurdiev is looking to return to the winner’s circle when he takes on Finland’s Olli Santalahti in a super welterweight clash at BRAVE CF 54 in Poland on Sat. September 25.

The Chechen-born fighter, known as the “Austrian Wonderboy” due to his crowd-pleasing striking abilities, made his promotional debut at BRAVE CF 50 when he unsuccessfully challenged Jarrah Al-Silawi for the Jordanian’s BRAVE CF super welterweight strap.

He is now looking to bounce back and make a run at the currently vacant title, following Al-Silawi’s move to the PFL. In the build-up to his clash with Santalahti, Naurdiev has been training at Sanford MMA under the experienced eye of Dutchman Henri Hooft.

“The first time [Sanford MMA] I went there was three years ago, I trained a couple of times there, and for me, it is the best team in the world, ” Naurdiev says, speaking to LowkickMMA.

“Henri Hooft always gives positive vibes, he always gives me his experience, and I feel good when I am with him, he gives me a good feeling, and he also believes in me.

“He believes in every one of his fighters, he likes everyone in the gym, so it does not matter if you are a big star or no name. He cares about everyone, and when I am around these guys, I feel good and confident.”

Before arriving in Florida, Naurdiev was busy sharpening his skills in Thailand until a fresh Covid outbreak forced him to pack his bags for the Sunshine State. Travel is nothing new for Naurdiev; Austria’s MMA scene is still in its developmental stages, which means Naurdiev’s passport is kept in regular use while he crisscrosses the globe seeking to improve his craft.

“When I turned 18, I started to travel a lot. I went to Sweden, Thailand, and America, everywhere, and this is how I became successful; and If I had not traveled a lot, I would not be here, ” he explains.

“I think fighting is the easiest part of this game, a lot of people see only the fights, but they don’t see behind the scenes, the hard work. Being away for weeks, months from family, making weight cuts is much harder than the fight. When I am fighting, I just enjoy it. I feel good in my world.”

Naurdiev arrived at BRAVE CF following a stint in the UFC, which saw him rack up a 2-2 record with the promotion. Both his losses were via decision, and once he became a free agent, more than a few promotions were keen to acquire his talents.

At only 25-years-of age, his best years are still ahead of him, and his explosive fighting style will always be a winner with fans. So after weighing up his options and picking up a win under the banner of German promotion EMC, Naurdiev signed with the Bahrain-based company.

“I think in a couple of years, they [BRAVE CF] will become much, much bigger, and I am happy to have the opportunity to fight there. I love to fight, and in a really good organization. They take care of me. I love it.”

Naurdiev was hoping a win over Santalahti would see him secure his desired rematch with Al-Silawi, but Al-Silawi’s move to the PFL put a stop to that goal. However, he still has his eyes on capturing gold and intends to make a statement inside the cage this weekend in Poland.

“After this fight, I am looking for the title, and I am excited for it, ” he says.

“I would lie if I would say I am not nervous [ when he fights], I have a little bit of pressure, of course, but I can control it, and when I go to the Octagon, this is the part where I have a little bit of pressure. Then when the cage is locked and the ring locks, everything is gone. I am ready to go.”

Are you excited to see ” The Austrian Wonderboy” back in action?

Exclusive: BRAVE CF’s Amin Ayoub Hyped For Ahmed Amir Grudge Match ‘He Wants To Put On A Show, So Let’s Do That’

BRAVE CF Lightweight Champion Amin Ayoub is counting down the hours until his return to the cage this weekend. The French-Tunisian is preparing to defend his lightweight strap for the first time since winning the title at BRAVE CF 44 last November. Ayoub will take on Egyptian grappler Ahmed Amir in the main event of […]

BRAVE CF Lightweight Champion Amin Ayoub is counting down the hours until his return to the cage this weekend. The French-Tunisian is preparing to defend his lightweight strap for the first time since winning the title at BRAVE CF 44 last November. Ayoub will take on Egyptian grappler Ahmed Amir in the main event of BRAVE CF 54, with the card marking the promotion’s first visit to Poland, which goes down this Saturday, September 25, in the city of Konin.

Ayoub was set to fight Amir at BRAVE CF 50 until a neck injury forced Amir to withdraw from the contest at the last minute. Ayoub went on to defeat Uzbekistan’s Mashrabjon Ruziboev in a 74kg catchweight bout. However, his performance failed to impress Amir, who ran up to the cage at the fight’s conclusion and began firing verbal volleys in Ayoub’s direction.

The two already had established a mutual dislike of each other, but after Amir’s cage side antics at BRAVE CF 50, Ayoub is looking forward to finally getting the chance to silence his opponent once and for all.

“I feel very good. I am in a hurry to be in the cage for this defense, Amir is a very aggressive fighter, very arrogant outside the cage, and he wants to put on a show, so let’s do that, ” Ayoub says, speaking to LowkickMMA.

” He was not happy with my performance when I won against Ruziboev, and he came just beside the cage, but man, if you got an injury, what are doing in the arena, what are you doing beside the cage, stay in our room. You can talk talk talk, but he will pay for that in the cage.”

The 25-year-old comes into bout this riding a wave of confidence as well as an eight-fight winning streak. Ayoub is one of the representatives of the growing French presence in MMA. At 15, he began kickboxing, but MMA was always in his blood. After developing his skill set as a striker, Ayoub headed to Belgium in 2014 to follow his MMA dream since MMA was illegal at the time.

Back-to-back losses in his first two bouts only fueled his fire, and after picking up his first win to help ring in the New Year in January of 2015, the Nantes-based fighter never looked back.

“I fought in small organizations, and after that, I moved to bigger and bigger, and now I am with BRAVE, and BRAVE is very good,” Ayoub explains.

He goes into this weekend’s bout knowing that Amir will want to get him to the ground as soon as possible. However, an extensive training camp in Bulgaria has him feeling he is ready for anything the Egyptian might throw at him.

” I think I am much better than him, so maybe in the first or second round, it will be finished,’ he says.

“I went to Bulgaria for a big training camp with Moldovan people and Bulgarian as well and all the best fighters from my management team, everybody came to Bulgaria to train together it was very good. Two weeks of a hard training camp and after that came back to France to train with my team, very good wrestlers, very good kickboxing as well. So I feel ready.”

After MMA became legal in France at the start of 2020, the local MMA scene exploded into life following a four-year ban. Ayoub is proud to stand alongside his fellow French athletes in helping to put MMA on the map in France.

“Now in France, we have [UFC interim Heavyweight Champion] Cyril Gaines. It’s amazing for us because we have many talents in France. We want to show to the world we have many tough fighter,we are friends here. If my friend will fight, I will support him; we are like brothers in arms in France.”

Five men have held the BRAVE CF lightweight title before Ayoub, and not one of them was able to defend it. So if Ayoub can make history this weekend by becoming the first BRAVE CF lightweight champ to defend his belt successfully, French MMA will have yet another reason to celebrate.

Will you be watching BRAVE CF 54

Exclusive: SBG’s Blaine O’Driscoll Feels Muhammad Mokaev Made A “Mistake” By Accepting A Fight With Him

Ireland’s Blaine O’Driscoll is confident he has all the tools needed to hand rising star Muhammad Mokaev the first loss of his professional career. The two will meet in the co-main event of BRAVE CF 54, taking place in Konin, Poland, on Sat. September 25. The 29-year-old Dublin-based fighter is known for his uncompromising style, […]

Ireland’s Blaine O’Driscoll is confident he has all the tools needed to hand rising star Muhammad Mokaev the first loss of his professional career. The two will meet in the co-main event of BRAVE CF 54, taking place in Konin, Poland, on Sat. September 25.

The 29-year-old Dublin-based fighter is known for his uncompromising style, and his 59kg catchweight fight with Mokaev is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated bouts of the night.

“I kind of felt like this was a fight that was going to happen even before I was with BRAVE,I always felt like we were going to fight for some reason every time I watched him,” O’Driscoll says, speaking to LowkickMMA.

“I think I am a very tough fight for him [Mokaev]. Stylistically it’s a very hard style for him, and fair play for him taking it, but I think it was a mistake taking it. I think all the pressure is on him for it. He is the one with the unbeaten record. He’s the star. There is no pressure on me. This is a win-win for me. “

O’Driscoll turned professional in 2014 and has racked up a record of 9-4. He has competed for the likes of BMMA and Bellator and knows victory over Mokaev, will see his name generate plenty of headlines

” A win for me against Mokaev is like five wins against anyone else. A win here is huge for me,” he explains.

Mokaev only turned professional in 2020 and so far has lived up to his reputation as one of MMA’s most promising talents. The 21-year has quickly racked up a 5-0, 1 NC, professional record and has looked impressive each time he has stepped foot inside the cage. However, this weekend Mokaev will face an opponent a level above what he has met before.

O’Driscoll, who trains out of SBG Ireland, has benefited from an extended fight camp after a proposed bout at BRAVE CF 53 in Kazakhstan fell through due to possible travel complications. It means fans will get the chance to see him in peak form for what will be one of the biggest fights of his career.

“It’s been great, ” he says, talking about the current environment at SBG.”

“John [Kavanagh]has been back now since Conor’s fight. He has been flat out in the gym. When John comes back, I don’t know what it is when John is watching everyone is on a different level; it is a lot better when he is there.

“A lot of people are fighting in different places when everyone is in a camp together. You all share the burden together. It’s nice that way.”

This bout will be O’Driscoll’s second under the BRAVE CF banner; his first was a short notice affair at BRAVE CF 49 when he fought Jose Torre after Torres’ original opponent pulled out.

After surviving an explosive start from O’Driscoll, Torres went on to earn a unanimous decision victory. However, O’Driscoll’s performance put the rest of the flyweight division on notice as well as catching the attention of BRAVE’s matchmakers, who have rewarded the Irishman with a marquee fight.

“I wanted to fight in BRAVE for a while because I feel that they have the best flyweight division,” O’Driscoll says.

” The UFC has a few flyweights and all, but they don’t have a lot of competition it’s one or two or are really good and there above everyone else, but in BRAVE, there is a lot of guys close together and a lot of competition, and I like that.

“So when I saw the chance, I knew it was a risk-taking the fight on a couple of days notice and against a very tough opponent, but it was a risk that is paying off for me, “

Mokaev may receive the bulk of the attention in the build-up to this weekend’s fight, but when the dust settles in Poland, O’Driscoll is backing himself to be the one with his hand raised.

How do you think this fight goes down?

Muhammad Mokaev Set To Return At Brave CF 54

Muhammad Mokaev, one of MMA’s bluechip prospects, will return to the cage on September 25, when he takes on Ireland’s Blaine O’Driscoll at BRAVE CF 54 in a 59kg catchweight bout. The card takes place in Konin, Poland, marking BRAVE CF’s first foray into the Central European country. The undefeated Mokaev has racked up five […]

Muhammad Mokaev, one of MMA’s bluechip prospects, will return to the cage on September 25, when he takes on Ireland’s Blaine O’Driscoll at BRAVE CF 54 in a 59kg catchweight bout. The card takes place in Konin, Poland, marking BRAVE CF’s first foray into the Central European country.

The undefeated Mokaev has racked up five wins since turning professional in 2020 and has impressed each time he has stepped foot inside the cage.

However, the 21-year-old will face his most formidable challenge yet in the form of SBG Ireland’s O’Driscoll, with the former Bellator fighter looking to bounce back following his decision loss to Jose Torres at BRAVE CF 49.

O’Driscoll’s record currently stands at 9-4. The 29-year-old has a 78 percent finishing rate and has been competing in the pro ranks since 2015. The Dublin-born fighter took the bout with Torres at short notice, and it will be interesting to see how he fares against Mokaev with a full camp behind him.

The pair’s bout is set to be the co-main event of BRAVE CF 54, with the main event being a lightweight title clash between defending champion Amin Ayoub and Ahmed Amir.

What do you think of this match up?

Mohammed Fakhreddine And Mohamed Said Maalem’s Title Clash At BRAVE CF 52 Ruled No Contest

The rivalry between BRAVE CF’s Mohamed Said Maalem and Mohammed Fakhreddine looks set to continue following the announcement that their clash at BRAVE CF 52 (August 1) in Milan, Italy, has been ruled a No Contest. The pair faced off in the main event of BRAVE’s first-ever Italian show for the vacant Light Heavyweight strap, […]

The rivalry between BRAVE CF’s Mohamed Said Maalem and Mohammed Fakhreddine looks set to continue following the announcement that their clash at BRAVE CF 52 (August 1) in Milan, Italy, has been ruled a No Contest.

The pair faced off in the main event of BRAVE’s first-ever Italian show for the vacant Light Heavyweight strap, with Said Maalem earning himself a first-round TKO win.

In a post-interview with Break Your Face, Fakhreddine, BRAVE’s reigning middleweight king, referred to what he deemed were illegal shots.

“I’m going to appeal the fight result, and I believe it will be ruled as a no contest. There were a couple of big shots to the back of the head. We’ll definitely run it back. That belt will be mine.”

The Italian Federation of Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts have agreed with him after investigating the appeal that was logged by Fakhreddine’s management on August 15.

“Following a thorough investigation and analysis, the Italian Federation of Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts deemed that the illegal strikes to the back of the head by Mohamed Said Maalem in the final sequence of the fight contributed to the stoppage of the match,” the FIGMMA said in their official statement.

Today’s news opens the door for a rematch between Fakhreddine and Said Maalem. The pair went back and forth on social media in the build-up to BRAVE CF 52, with ever-increasing hostility. The bout was billed as the most anticipated in BRAVE CF’s history, and a rematch between the two seems likely.

What do you make of this news?