The Brave 1 fight card is starting to look red hot as another international bout was announced, with Team Lakay’s Filipino “Slugger” Crisanto Pitpitunge (8-5) set to go to war with Mexico’s Ivan Lopez (13-2).
Lopez hails from the tough Tijuana Entram gym and has been destroying the local circuit in Mexico, racking up win-after-win. One of only two men to defeat him was current pound-for-pound king, and UFC Bantamweight Champion, Dominik Cruz – via decision. “Nino Demoledor” is quite simply a well-rounded fighter that dominates his fights and has the heart of a lion – has never been finished. His striking is crisp, he was able to land some hurtful shots on the Champion Cruz when they fought in WEC 40, before Cruz landed a crucial take-down in the third round to seal victory. Lopez is an exciting addition to the Brave card, who can finish a fight on the feet, or on the ground, but so can his opponent.
In Crisanto Pitpitunge, Brave welcomes a former PXC Bantamweight champion, which he captured in spectacular style against Justin Cruz, via a brutal one-punch KO. Since then his career has stuttered dropping four defeats in his last seven fights, but make no mistake “The Slugger” is a tremendous fighter from the Philippines, who is well-rounded, battle hardened and hungry to make his presence known in Brave Comabt Federation.
This is a fight which will likely be kept standing as although “The Slugger” has improved his JiuJitsu, he will not want a scrap on the mat. Lopez, like Pitpitunge is a proud fighter who will also want to put on a show for those in attendance at the inaugural Brave event, so don’t expect either fighter to take it to the ground in a hurry. Both fighters have excellent technique so the victory will be simply who can execute their game-plan, use their technique and impose their will more. This is a fight-of-the-night contender and almost impossible to call, so let’s sit back and enjoy it.
