Ilias Bulaid, a former Kickboxing World Champion, took a bold risk when he transitioned to MMA. Leaving behind a successful kickboxing career, he now prepares for his biggest MMA challenge yet at BRAVE CF 89 in Spain. The question is—will his gamble pay off?
Raised in the Netherlands, a country famous for its kickboxing pedigree, Bulaid trained in the sport from a young age and became a world champion. Despite his success, he stepped out of his comfort zone to start over in MMA. The transition was tough. He had to humble himself and learn new skills like grappling and wrestling.
His hard work paid off. In his MMA debut, Bulaid won in the first round with a brutal knee strike, showcasing his striking skills. Since then, he has racked up four more victories, three by decision, proving his early success wasn’t just luck.
Now, at BRAVE CF 89, Bulaid faces Anthony Riggio, his toughest opponent yet. Riggio, a BJJ black belt, will test Bulaid’s MMA skills like never before. A win in this fight will not only boost Bulaid’s reputation globally but also validate his decision to switch from kickboxing to MMA. It could be the first step towards an MMA world title.
BRAVE CF 89 takes place on October 19 at Pabellon Santiago Martin in Tenerife, Spain, in partnership with Fight2One. The event will be headlined by a Super Welterweight title fight between champion Kamal Magomedov and Brazilian contender Luiz Cado.
