BRAVE CF 89 lived up to expectations, delivering intense action and drama in Tenerife, Spain. Hosted at Pabellon Santiago Martin in partnership with Fight2One, this event marked a historic moment as BRAVE Combat Federation staged the first-ever MMA World Title fight on Spanish soil.
The headline bout saw Luiz Cado of Brazil crowned the new BRAVE CF Super Welterweight champion after Kamal Magomedov was disqualified for illegal strikes. Cado started strong, wobbling Magomedov in the first round with sharp strikes. Magomedov weathered the storm and responded with a takedown in the second round. However, an illegal blow to the back of Cado’s head led to a disqualification, handing the title to the Brazilian challenger. This victory made Cado the sixth Brazilian world champion in BRAVE CF, while Magomedov faced the first defeat of his career.
Smullen Shocks Sanchez in Seconds
Richie Smullen stunned the crowd in the co-main event, submitting Spanish veteran Jose Sanchez in just 29 seconds. Smullen locked in a guillotine choke during the opening exchange, forcing a quick tap from Sanchez and silencing the hometown fans. The victory extended Smullen’s winning streak to four and solidified his reputation as a rising star in BRAVE CF.
Bulaid’s Striking Dominates Riggio
Former Kickboxing World Champion Ilias Bulaid showcased his elite striking skills against Swiss veteran Anthony Riggio. Bulaid overwhelmed Riggio with a series of elbows and knees, eventually finishing the fight with a brutal leg kick in the first round. This win maintained Bulaid’s undefeated MMA record and demonstrated his smooth transition from kickboxing to MMA.
Bensayid and Sabzaliev Deliver an Instant Classic
Anuar Bensayid and Sino Sabzaliev produced a potential Fight of the Year candidate. The two warriors battled through three rounds of intense action, with Bensayid’s leg kicks proving decisive. Sabzaliev struggled to keep up as Bensayid’s relentless attacks forced the stoppage in the third round. This victory marked Bensayid’s second win in BRAVE CF.
Garcia Breaks Losing Streak
Andrea Meneses Garcia secured a much-needed win by submitting Adriana Fusini in the second round of their Atomweight contest. Garcia dropped Fusini and capitalized on the ground, locking in a rear-naked choke to secure the submission. The victory broke Garcia’s two-fight losing streak.
Burns Dominates Paiva
Gerard Burns extended his BRAVE CF winning streak to five with a dominant decision win over Santiago Paiva. Despite Paiva’s early submission threats, Burns controlled the fight, securing a commanding victory and making a statement in the Bantamweight division.
BRAVE CF 89 closed out the organization’s “Around the World in 70 Days” tour, which featured events across China, Pakistan, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Slovenia. Up next, BRAVE CF will head to Austria for BRAVE CF 90 on November 23, continuing its global expansion.