BRAVE Combat Federation’s lightweight division will have a new champion after BRAVE CF 69 on February 18, in the Serbian capital Belgrade.
Definitely the most controversial weight-class on the organisation’s roster, the 155-pounders have had seven champions thus far, averaging more than a champ per year, since BRAVE CF turned six last September.
Currently the interim champion, Abdisalam Kubanychbek earned the provisional title with a win over Olzhas Eskaraev at BRAVE 59 – the bout won last year’s Fight of The Year – and was the most even bout of Kubanychbek’s BRAVE career, giving hope to top contender Kamil Magomedov.
Even though Magomedov is coming off a loss, he won the shot at Kubanychbek after Akhmed Shervaniev, the obvious choice, was injured. Kubanychbek will look to become the eighth lightweight champion, after Ottman Azaitar, Lucas ‘Mineiro’, Abdulkareem Al Selwady, Luan Santiago, Cleiton Silva, Amin Ayoub, and Ahmed Amir.
These champions have an unfortunate stat in common – none of them have been able to defend their title – Ottman refused to defend it and was stripped in 2017, promoting ‘Mineiro’ to champion. The Brazilian then lost his crown to Al Selwady, but was avenged by countryman Santiago, who became the fourth lightweight champion with an unforgettable spinning-back elbow KO.
However, Santiago’s reign was short-lived as he relinquished his world title to arch-rival Silva, who was then beaten by Ayoub. The French-Tunisian standout was then outwrestled and outsmarted by Amir, the last champion, who was stripped due to uncertainty regarding his fighting status.
Now, Kubanychbek and Magomedov will battle it out at BRAVE 69 and the BRAVE Serbia International Combat Week, the biggest combat sports festival in Europe. On February 18, in Belgrade, one more name will be added to a champions’ list, and one more man will have the opportunity to break the BRAVE CF lightweight title curse.
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