BRAVE CF 34/WFC 24: Podkrajsek edges Vasic in thriller, Hawes and Makovsky victorious

BRAVE Combat Federation made its first incursion in the Balkans in a packed Tivoli Hall, as the only truly global MMA organization has landed with a rousing success in Slovenia, in partnership with leading local promotion WFC. In the main event of BRAVE CF 34/WFC 24, Luka Podkrajsek edged Viktor Vasic in an amazing main event and became the new WFC Heavyweight champion.

The two men fought with reckless abandon from the start as both Viktor and Luka traded hard blows in the opening minutes. Podkrajsek looked for a takedown and got it in the second round. In the final frame, however, Vasic was superior and nearly snatched the victory from the hometown hero.

In the co-main event, Benoit St. Denis made headlines with an incredible kneebar in the first round, getting his first BRAVE CF victory in style against game veteran Ivica Truscek.

Meanwhile, Phil Hawes put the Middleweight division on notice as he called out champion Daniel Gaucho after brutally knocking out Gaucho's countryman Iuri Fraga in the first round.

"Daniel can get it. I'll see you soon, boy", simply said "Zilla" Hawes, as he continues his crusade towards the Middleweight world title with his second win in as many bouts.

In the opening fight of the main card, two of the best Flyweights in the world put on a clinic, as Velimurad Alkhasov and Zach Makovsky fought to one of the most even match-ups of BRAVE CF history. Makovsky won a split decision to derail Alkhasov's perfect MMA record and position himself near a title shot for the inaugural belt.

BRAVE CF 34/WFC 24 full results:

• Heavyweight (For WFC Championship): Luka Podkrajsek def. Viktor Vasic via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Welterweight: Benoit St. Denis def. Ivica Truscek by submission (kneebar) - Round 1
• Light Heavyweight: Jakob Nedoh def. Zarko Sedoglavic via KO (punches) - Round 1
• Middleweight: Phil Hawes def. Iuri Fraga via TKO (punches) - Round 1
• Flyweight: Zach Makovsky def. Velimurad Alkhasov via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
• Lightweight: Mochamed Machaev def. Matjaz Vicar via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25)
• Catchweight (53 kg): Monika Kucinic def. Jennifer Trioreau by unanimous decision (30-23, 30-27, 30-25)
• Welterweight: Bojan Kosednar def. Tonci Perusko via TKO (punches) - Round 1
• Light Heavyweight: Marko Drmonjic def. Matej Plavec via TKO (leg-kicks) - Round 2