Irish Flyweight Gerard Burns emerged as a two-division threat at BRAVE CF 89 with a commanding performance against Santiago Paiva at Bantamweight. Burns’ dominant victory extended his BRAVE CF winning streak to five, but it was his in-fight and post-fight callouts to Muhammad Mokaev that ignited an anticipated Ireland vs. Dagestan rivalry in the MMA world.
Burns’ Winning Streak Continues
Burns, who arrived at BRAVE CF 89 with back-to-back first-round knockout wins at Flyweight, moved up to Bantamweight to challenge Brazilian submission specialist Paiva. In the cage, Burns demonstrated his superior grappling against Paiva, a BJJ black belt, outclassing him in every round. Burns controlled the pace, using his wrestling skills to secure a decisive win at 135 pounds. The victory solidified Burns’ reputation as a versatile contender in BRAVE CF, remaining undefeated in the organization across both weight divisions.
What made Burns’ win more memorable was his mid-fight callout of Mokaev. While grappling Paiva on the ground, he boldly called out Mokaev, a move rarely seen in the MMA cage.
The Bold Callout Heard Around the MMA World
After being awarded the victory, Burns doubled down on his challenge. Speaking to the audience, he made his intentions clear:
“I only know one guy, and it’s the little bald guy who has no respect for himself—Muhammad Mokaev. You are being handed to me on a plate, bro, and I am going to eat it. Let’s go!” Burns declared.
In the lead-up to the fight, Burns had already promised to “humble” Mokaev and claimed he was “easy work.” His victory and fearless callout cemented his standing as a top contender and a potential challenger for Mokaev. This callout has stirred excitement among MMA fans and fueled speculation of a future clash between the two fighters.
Setting the Stage for Ireland vs. Dagestan
The Burns-Mokaev matchup has the ingredients of a classic rivalry, echoing past Irish-Dagestani showdowns in MMA. With Burns proving himself in both Flyweight and Bantamweight, he has positioned himself as an elite challenger in BRAVE CF. Mokaev, currently on a break from BRAVE CF, will likely respond as soon as he returns to action, although no official bout has been announced.
BRAVE CF 89: A Historic Event
Held on October 19 in Spain, BRAVE CF 89 was an event of firsts. It marked the first-ever MMA World Title fight on Spanish soil, part of BRAVE CF’s “Around the World in 70 Days” tour. This landmark event concluded the six-country tour, showcasing BRAVE CF’s commitment to expanding global MMA.
Burns’ win and his challenge to Mokaev added a new chapter to BRAVE CF’s history, building momentum for both fighters and fueling anticipation for the next possible Ireland vs. Dagestan faceoff.
