By: Gem B. Reyes
BRAVE Combat Federation wrapped up an extraordinary year with the electrifying BRAVE CF 92 event, held at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Bahrain. The event was a grand finale to a year filled with groundbreaking achievements for the global MMA organization.
Fakhreddine’s Triumphant Return
The main event saw Mohammad Fakhreddine make a victorious comeback with a second-round TKO win over Abdel Rahmane Driai. The bout was intense, with a controversial pause in the first round due to an illegal strike by Driai. However, Fakhreddine returned stronger in the second, delivering a relentless ground-and-pound assault to secure the victory.
The former two-division champion used his post-fight interview to call out Erko Jun, setting the stage for a potential high-stakes matchup in the future.
Jhen Buzon Represents the Philippines
In the opening bout, the Philippines’ Jhen Buzon displayed immense heart and determination but fell short against India’s Suchika Tariyal Hooda. Returning to MMA after a seven-year hiatus,Suchika Tariyal Hooda used her judo expertise to dominate the match, securing a second-round armbar submission. Despite the loss, Buzon’s grit and fighting spirit earned admiration from fans and fellow countrymen. The Philippines remains proud of her for representing the nation on an international stage, highlighting her courage and commitment to the sport.
Pakistan Sweeps Rivalry Against India
The India vs. Pakistan segment was a highlight of the evening, with Pakistani fighters dominating all five matchups.
- Rizwan Ali maintained his undefeated record with a first-round TKO victory over Srikant Sekhar. Following the fight, Sekhar announced his retirement, closing a significant chapter in his MMA career.
- Babar Ali used exceptional grappling to neutralize Mohammed Farhad’s striking, earning a unanimous decision victory.
- Abbas Khan edged out Seth Rosario in a thrilling back-and-forth contest, securing a split decision win.
- Ismail Khan showcased his grappling prowess, defeating Yadwinder Singh by unanimous decision.
- Aqib Awan rebounded from a previous loss, earning a third-round TKO over Ehtesham Ansari, ending his opponent’s six-fight winning streak.
Other Highlights
- Omar Solomanov secured a first-round submission victory over Izzeddine Al Derbani, demonstrating his technical grappling.
- Rami Hamed extended his winning streak to six with a powerful first-round TKO against Salamat Orozakunov.
- Egypt’s Abdallah Mohamed dominated Mohamed Yosif Abdulrahman across three rounds, earning a unanimous decision victory.
A Landmark Year for BRAVE CF
BRAVE CF 92 concluded a historic year for the organization, which saw events held in new territories such as Mauritius, the Netherlands, China, Bulgaria, and Austria. With strategic partnerships and an influx of world-class talent, BRAVE CF solidified its position as a leader in global MMA.
Complete Results:
- Catchweight: Mohammad Fakhreddine def. Abdel Rahmane Driai via TKO (strikes) at 3:11 of R2
- Lightweight: Rizwan Ali def. Srikant Sekhar via TKO (punches) at 2:22 of R1
- Bantamweight: Babar Ali def. Mohammed Farhad via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Featherweight: Omar Solomanov def. Izzeddine Al Derbani via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:53 of R1
- Catchweight: Abbas Khan def. Seth Rosario via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Super Welterweight: Rami Hamed def. Salamat Orozakunov via TKO (punches) at 4:20 of R1
- Super Lightweight: Abdallah Mohamed def. Mohamed Yosif Abdulrahman via unanimous decision
- Bantamweight: Ismail Khan def. Yadwinder Singh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Flyweight: Aqib Awan def. Ehtesham Ansari via TKO (ground-and-pound) at 2:01 of R3
- Strawweight: Suchika Tariyal Hooda def. Jhen Buzon via submission (armbar) at 2:08 of R2
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Ismail Khan showcased his grappling prowess, defeating Yadwinder Singh by unanimous decision.
The Philippines takes pride in Jhen Buzon’s efforts and representation on such a prestigious platform, celebrating her determination and commitment to the sport despite the outcome.
