Sold-out BRAVE CF show a major success

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: hussainm@newsobahrain.com

BRAVE CF 88 is in the books and the historic event in Slovenia played host to the crowning of two new champions as Erko Jun claimed the Light Heavyweight title in the main event, and Pavel Dailidko won the inaugural Heavyweight title in the co-main event.

Both men were crowned champions in front of a sold-out crowd that showcased the power of mixed martial arts in Slovenia through the crown jewel of Bahrain sports, BRAVE Combat Federation.

In the main event, Jun controlled the first round by landing multiple kicks to Alexander Wesner's lead leg, slowing down his opponent. A cut opened on Jun’s head during a second-round scramble, leading to the fight going to the ground, where it stayed until the round ended. In the third round, Jun pushed for a finish, dropping Wesner midway through, but was unable to secure the finish.

However, in the fourth round, Jun's earlier leg kicks proved decisive as he finished Wesner with a low leg kick to become the new Light Heavyweight champion. Pavel Dailidko realized his dream and became the BRAVE CF Heavyweight champion by defeating Patryk Dubiela in the co-main event, marking his fifth consecutive finish in BRAVE Combat Federation. Dubiela attempted to use his grappling skills, but Dailidko defended successfully and landed powerful ground-and-pound strikes, leading to a first-round stoppage.

Dailidko's victory earned him a place in the history books as the first-ever BRAVE CF Heavyweight champion. I

n a fight of the year contender, Monika Kucinic defeated Fabiola Pidroni by split decision after three intense rounds. Pidroni nearly finished Kucinic with a head kick in the first round, but Kucinic recovered and staged a comeback in the second and third rounds.

Despite Pidroni's attempts at takedowns, Kucinic stood ground with her striking and eventually took home the win.

This is Kucinic's second victory of the year, following her finish at BRAVE CF 81.

Luka Podkrajšek returned to the winning column with a TKO victory over Italian Veteran Michele Mirabella, finishing the fight with ground-and-pound strikes.

In his post-fight interview, Podkrajšek revealed that he fought with a broken rib and hinted at possible retirement. Elsewhere, Miha Frlic earned a quick win, stopping Samuele Di Guardo in just 37 seconds with strikes.

This marked Frlic's first victory in BRAVE CF and kept his undefeated record intact. Kristjan Toniste used his experience to secure a unanimous decision win against Domen Drnovsek in their Super Lightweight fight. Toniste dominated the stand-up exchanges and successfully defended Drnovsek’s submission attempts, handing Drnovsek his first professional loss.

Marina Spasiv remained undefeated with a third-round stoppage of Maristela Alves. After a competitive fight in the first two rounds, Spasiv broke Alves' nose in the final round, leading to the stoppage. IMMAF European champion Kirill Negru delivered a strong performance, defeating Ilia Sinani by unanimous decision in the opening bout of the card.

With the win, Negru earned a spot in the IMMAF World Championships in Uzbekistan and vowed to bring home the gold medal for Slovenia. BRAVE CF 88, held in partnership with WFC, was the organization’s second event in Slovenia this year. BRAVE CF will next head to Spain for BRAVE CF 89, scheduled for October 19.

BRAVE CF 88 Results: Light Heavyweight:

Erko Jun def. Alexander Wesner via TKO (leg kicks) - 1m27s - Round 4

Heavyweight: Pavel Dailidko def. Patryk Dubiela via TKO (punches) - 4m33s - Round 1

Strawweight: Monika Kucinic def. Fabiola Pidroni via split decision (29- 28, 28-29, 29-28)

Heavyweight: Luka Podkrajsek def. Michele Mirabella via TKO (punches) - 3m24s - Round 1

Heavyweight: Miha Frlic def. Samuele Di Guardo via TKO (punches) - 37s - Round 1 Super

Lightweight: Kristjan Toniste def. Domen Drnovsek via unanimous decision (3x 30-27)

Strawweight: Marina Spasic def. Maristela Alves via TKO (punches) - 2m11s - Round 3 Amateur

Welterweight: Kirill Negru def. Ilian Sinani via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)