BRAVE Combat Federation hosted the 59th edition of the event in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. The event gave the world a look into the growing hype for the sport in Central Asia. The event marked Uzbekistan as the 27th country to host a BRAVE CF event.
The region is home to immense talent while the language barrier is often blocking its talent from the global MMA scene. The initiative by BRAVE Combat Federation could open doors for talent from the region to step into the global MMA.
In the main event, Kyrgyzstan’s Abdisalam Kubanychbek (now 19-3, 1 No Contest) cemented his legacy at the undisputed BRAVE CF Lightweight title when he beat Kazakhstan’s Olzhas Eskaraev (now 10-6) via unanimous decision in the sold-out empty arena.
Kubanychbek had to work hard for the interim world title, though, as a game Eskaraev threatened to take his BRAVE CF invincibility on several occasions throughout the grueling 25 minutes of action.
However, his fight IQ, world-class grappling, and crisp boxing guided Kubanychbek towards a decisive victory, via unanimous decision – his first bout going to the judges under the BRAVE CF banner. After the fight, the new interim champion was in a reflective mood, praising the work of his opponent.
In the co-main event of the evening, Austria’s Ismail Naurdiev ran the show by imposing his will on his opponent after negating any sort of takedown threats before launching a barrage of striking clinics via leg kicks and crosses. The Austrian soon found himself in top control, reigning down the shots which forced the referee to stop the fight via TKO due to strikes in the first round.
The prelim card showed exactly what Uzbekistan MMA is capable of as the “home team” cleared out the entire early card winning five out of five fights.
Records were broken on the night as fans witnessed the fastest BRAVE CF submission victory when Mashrabjon Ruziboev defeated Niyazidin Risbaev by guillotine in under 18 seconds of the first round in their Super Lightweight fight.
BRAVE CF returns to action on July 30th, with yet another boring return to Brazil for BRAVE CF 60.
BRAVE CF 59 Full Results
Main Card
Interim Lightweight title fight: Abdisalam Kubanychbek def. Olzhas Eskaraev via unanimous decision
Super Welterweight: Ismail Naurdiev def. Bekten Zheenbekov via TKO (punches) – 2m26s – Round 1
Lightweight: Nemat Abdrashitov def. Alikhon Khasanov via TKO (punches) – 2m46s – Round 1
Lightweight: Ilyar Askhanov def. Khusan Atabayev via submission (RNC) – 1m37s – Round 1
Lightweight: Nurzhan Akishev def. Otabek Toxirov via submission (guillotine) – 24s – Round 3
Super Lightweight: Sanjarbek Erkinov def. Ayub Gaziev via TKO (punches) – 2m35s – Round 2
Preliminary Card
Catchweight (68kg): Sharif Kushaev def. Bakytbek Uulu Nuristan via TKO (punches)
Middleweight: Mamurzhon Khamidov def. Erzhan Zhanybekov via TKO (punches)
Super Welterweight: Khotam Boynazarov def. Altynbek Arykbaev via TKO (punches)
Super Lightweight: Mashrabjon Ruziboev def. Niyazidin Risbaev by submission (guillotine)
Bantamweight: Marufjon Mamarazikov def. Abdamizonda Saidkhumoyun via submission (RNC)
About the author
Hari Bhagirath is the former Chief Creative Officer at BRAVE Combat Federation. Currently, he heads Strategic Relations and Financial Communication for a major Fortune 100 organization. He is also the co-founder of Totem Capital, a private wealth management initiative.
