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After Years Of Waiting, Gerard Burns Finally Gets Chance To Lock Horns With Muhammad Mokaev
Oct 22, 2025
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For two years, Gerard “The Animal” Burns has had one name on his mind — Muhammad “The Punisher” Mokaev.
Now, his long-standing wish is about to come true. The proud Irishman will finally get his hands on the man widely regarded as the best flyweight on the planet when the two collide for the inaugural BRAVE CF Flyweight World Championship in the co-main event of BRAVE 100, set to take place on Friday, November 7, at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town, Bahrain.
Ever since making his way to BRAVE Combat Federation in 2023, Burns’ mission has been focused on earning a crack at Mokaev and the opportunity to crown himself the promotion’s first-ever flyweight king.
“This is the fight I’ve wanted from the moment I signed with BRAVE CF,” he declared. “I’ve watched Mokaev dominate, but now it’s my turn to put my hands on him and see how he handles me.”
No one can fault Burns for setting his sights on Mokaev. The Dagestan-born Englishman has long been considered the No. 1-ranked flyweight in the world, boasting an unblemished 15-0 record built on seven submission wins and two knockouts.
A two-time IMMAF World Champion, Mokaev’s rise from amateur standout to elite professional has been seamless.
Mokaev first captured attention under the BRAVE CF banner, where he went 4-0 during his initial run — turning heads with his pace, precision, and relentless grappling.
After extending his unbeaten streak outside the organization, he made a triumphant return to the BRAVE CF cage in December 2024, dispatching short-notice Filipino opponent Joevincent So via a devastating first-round D’Arce choke.
But if Mokaev’s dominance has intimidated others, Burns remains unfazed.
“The Animal” has bulldozed his way up the ladder, announcing himself as one of BRAVE CF’s most electrifying new faces.
Since debuting in 2023, he has collected four consecutive wins, including back-to-back first-round finishes that made fans take notice.
His most recent outing — a unanimous decision victory over Alinson “El Chompiras” Ochoa at BRAVE CF 97 this past July — solidified his claim as a legitimate World Title contender.
Even before his World Title shot was confirmed, Burns’ determination was unmistakable.
In one of his earlier bouts, mid-fight against Santhiago “Galo Doido” Paiva at BRAVE CF 89 in October 2024, Burns fearlessly called out Mokaev while controlling his opponent’s back — a bold statement that echoed his confidence and hunger.
Now, with the biggest opportunity of his career finally in front of him, Burns insists he’s ready for the challenge.
“I’ve worked for this moment. I’ve climbed the ranks, fought whoever they put in front of me, and earned my spot,” he said. “Mokaev’s a phenomenal fighter, no doubt. But I’m coming to give him the toughest test of his life. I’m not here just to compete; I’m here to take that belt.”
The 29-year-old believes that at BRAVE 100, the world will see that the seemingly untouchable Mokaev is far from invincible.
“People act like he can’t be beaten,” Burns stated with conviction. “But at the end of the day, he’s human. He can bleed, he can make mistakes, and he can lose. I plan to be the man who proves it."
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