Kubanychbek earns interim world title, shot at lineal champ
Event Date: Jun 18, 2022
Location: Uzbekistan
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The hotly-anticipated BRAVE CF 59 event lived up to the build-up hype following an epic display of Central Asian mixed martial arts in the mesmerizing gladiatorial outdoor arena in Bukhara, Uzbekistan this Saturday.
The event marked the Uzbek debut of the fastest-growing organization in the world, transforming Uzbekistan into the 27th country to host a BRAVE CF event.
In the main event, it was a fairy-tale ending for Kyrgyzstan’s Abdisalam Kubanychbek (now 19-3, 1 No Contest) who finally cemented his shot at the undisputed BRAVE CF Lightweight title when he beat Kazakhstan’s Olzhas Eskaraev (now 10-6) via unanimous decision in the sold-out arena.
Kubanychbek had to work hard for the interim world title, though, as a game Eskaraev threatened to take his BRAVE CF invincibility on several occasions throughout the gruelling 25 minutes of action.
However, his fight IQ, world-class grappling and crisp boxing guided Kubanychbek towards a decisive victory, via unanimous decision - his first bout going to the judges under the BRAVE CF banner. After the fight, the new interim champion was in a reflective mood, praising the work of his opponent.
“Eskaraev was a tough opponent. I was expecting that. Thank you to him for that and for taking this fight,” said the Kyrgyz hero.
Kubanychbek will now face the undisputed champion, Egypt’s Ahmed Amir (12-3-1) to unify the 155lbs title.
“My message to Ahmed Amir … I feel like I am the real champ. I fought for the interim belt twice now. Give me the fight,” added the new BRAVE CF interim Lightweight champion.
In the co-main event of the evening, Austria’s Ismail Naurdiev ran the show by imposing his will on his opponent after negating any sort of takedown threats before launching a barrage of striking clinics via leg kicks and crosses. The Austrian soon found himself in top control, reigning down the shots which forced the referee to stop the fight via TKO due to strikes in the first round.
The prelim card showed exactly what Uzbekistan MMA is capable of as the “home team” cleared out the entire early card winning five out of five fights.
Records were broken on the night as fans witnessed the fastest BRAVE CF submission victory when Mashrabjon Ruziboev defeated Niyazidin Risbaev by guillotine in under 18 seconds of the first round in their Super Lightweight fight.
BRAVE CF returns to action on July 30th, with its much-anticipated return to Brazil for BRAVE CF 60.
BRAVE CF 59 Full Results
Main Card
Interim Lightweight title fight: Abdisalam Kubanychbek def. Olzhas Eskaraev via unanimous decision
Super Welterweight: Ismail Naurdiev def. Bekten Zheenbekov via TKO (punches) - 2m26s - Round 1
Lightweight: Nemat Abdrashitov def. Alikhon Khasanov via TKO (punches) - 2m46s - Round 1