Bogatov is new Featherweight world champion!

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Roman Bogatov was last night crowned the new BRAVE CF Featherweight World Champion.

The Russian fighter captured the previously vacant title after defeating Tae Kyun Kim of South Korea by split decision in a hotly contested and gruelling main event headlining BRAVE Combat Federation 64, which took place at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.

The fight night was the second of three hugely exciting evenings under the prestigious Kombat Kingdom series. Bogatov and Kim battled for the full five rounds and the result could have gone either way.

The fight appeared to be deadeven after round four with both competitors going back and forth and each having their moments over the opening stages.

A resilient Bogatov was eventually declared the winner by split decision, after two judges ruled in his favour with 48-47 scores.

The other judge saw the contest Kim’s way, scoring it 49- 46 in the Korean’s favour. Following the bout, which was instantly dubbed a classic by pundits, a visibly fatigued Bogatov said through a translator: “I waited a very long time for this moment; for this fight.

“I have had a lot of tough moments, had to come to Indonesia to train without any money, but for this moment right here, it was all worth it.”

Thirty-one-year-old Bogatov handed 28-year-old Kim the first loss of his professional MMA career. Meanwhile, Zagid Gaidarov defeated Brendan Lesar via submission in a Super Welterweight fight.

Gaidarov had a brilliant takedown to get the fight to the ground, and then he transitioned to Lesar’s back and locked in a rear-naked choke, which forced his opponent to tap.

Gaidarov’s winning move came a minute into the second round.

Also yesterday, Abusupyan Alikhanov beat Mzwandile Hlongwa by unanimous decision in their Middleweight encounter.

The victor utilised his wrestling to shut down his opponent, and at the end of the three-round clash, the judges ruled in his favour 30-27, 30-27, 29-28. Taking his first win in BRAVE CF last night was Israel Mano.

He triumphed against Remy Serge via unanimous decision in their Amateur Light Heavyweight fight.

The judges scored the bout for Mano 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.

Last night’s co-main event—a Bantamweight bout between Nkosi Ndebele and Matiss Zaharovs—had to be cancelled.

According to officials, the fight was called off due to an unexpected health issue for Zaharovs, which prevented him from entering the cage.

Kombat Kingdom wraps up on Friday next week with BRAVE CF 65.