BRAVE Combat Federation has long identified Russia as one of the biggest markets for the growth of MMA, and has long signed and nurture talent from all corners of the continent-sized nation. Thus the fastest-growing organization in the world will put on a star-studded event for its first show in the nation. The official fight card for BRAVE CF 46, on January 16 and in association with Krepost Selection, has been announced.
The show will be headlined by the homecoming of BRAVE Super Lightweight world champion Eldar Eldarov, whose sole loss is to his friend, and friend of BRAVE CF, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Eldarov will defend his crown for the first time vs. top Brazilian veteran Leonardo Mafra. It will be the first time that the historical belt – the first world title of the new weight-class – will be defended by a champion.
In the co-main event, Ali Bagautinov will make his promotional debut vs. Oleg Lichkovakha. Ali is a two-time sambo world champion and has several other accolades in multiple combat sports, making him one of Russia’s most successful martial artists. He will take on 24-year-old Lichkovakha, who despite his age, has more than 20 pro bouts to his name and will look for the biggest win of his career in Sochi.
Also set for the incredible fight night on January 16, will be the return of Heavyweight Konstantin Erokhin, as he takes on Zhyrgalbek Chomonov, a WEF Champion in Kyrgyzstan. Another Kyrgyz star is Abdisalam Kubanychbek, who will look for his third BRAVE CF win against Jahongir Saidjamolov.
Roman Bogatov will also make his much-anticipated promotional debut as he begins his descent to Featherweight against Nurzhan Akishev. Murtaza Talha, the two-time IMMAF world champion, will continue his road to professional stardom after a stunning debut victory back at BRAVE CF 45. The KHK MMA product takes on Dmitriy Krivulets in a Catchweight bout of 90 kg.
The iconic event will mark Russia as the 21st country to host a BRAVE Combat Federation event, a record. Since 2016, the organization founded by His Highness Shaikh Khaled bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has traveled to 20 different nations in several regions, something that no other promotion has been able to accomplish in their first four years of operation.
BRAVE CF 46 Full Fight Card
Eldar Eldarov, champion (12-1, Dagestan, Russia, and Bahrain) vs. Leonardo Mafra (15-5, Brazil) for the super lightweight title
Ali Bagautinov (18-7, Russia) vs. Oleg Lichkovakha (15-4-0, 2 NC, Russia) at a catchweight (131 pounds) –
Roman Bogatov (10-1, Russia) vs. Nurzhan Akishev (11-1. Kazakhstan) at a catchweight (148 pounds)
Konstantin Erokhin (9-4, Russia) vs. Zhyrgalbek Chomonov (8-1, Kyrgyzstan) at heavyweight
Abdisalam Kubanychbek (16-3, Kyrgyzstan) vs. Jahongir Saidjamolov (14-4, Tajikistan) at a catchweight (156.5 pounds) –
Gamzat Khiramagomedov (9-1, Russia) vs. Rustam Chsiev (3-2, Russia) at middleweight –
Magomed Absudalamov (6-0, Russia) vs. Andrey Lezhnev (19-9, Ukraine) at a catchweight (150 pounds)
Dmitriy Krivulets (3-1, Russia) vs. Murtaza Talha (1-0, Bahrain) at a catchweight (198.5 pounds)
Murad Bilarov (3-1, Russia) vs. Fedor Babich (4-4, Russia) at lightweight
