BRAVE Combat Federation returns to Ljubljana’s Hala Tivoli on June 7, 2025, for BRAVE CF 96, and the Flyweight division heats up as Georgia’s Bidzina Gavashelishvili (14-3-0) squares off with Brazil’s Marciano Ferreira (13-4-0). Both men bring contrasting styles and unshakeable belief to the cage, promising a showdown that could steal the spotlight in Slovenia’s MMA capital. The event held at the Hala Tivoli in partnership with leading regional promotion WFC marks the promotion’s fifth visit to Slovenia and its first since the record-setting BRAVE CF 88 in September 2024.
Bidzina “The Georgian Tank” Gavashelishvili (14-3-0) has bulldozed his way through the Flyweight ranks with an ironclad ground game that leaves opponents scrambling for survival. Trained in Tbilisi’s elite gyms, he’s secured six submission victories, often dragging fights to the mat within seconds of the opening bell. His relentless pressure and seamless transitions have earned him a reputation as one of Europe’s most dangerous Flyweights, and he enters this bout determined to prove that no striker can stand against his suffocating top control. Expect Gavashelishvili to target early leg takedowns, pressure Ferreira against the fence, and work toward securing his trademark rear-naked choke once the action hits the canvas.
On the opposite side stands Marciano “Onda Brasileira” Ferreira (13-4-0), a dynamite-packed striker with a cruel left hook and a flair for highlight-reel finishes. Hailing from Fortaleza’s storied fight scene, he’s blazed through his last three opponents via knockout, two inside the first round using crisp combinations and explosive angles that keep adversaries guessing. While questions remain about his takedown defense, Ferreira’s granite chin and sharp counter-punching could turn Gavashelishvili’s aggression into a one-shot path to victory. Expect Ferreira to circle out, manage distance with straight shots, and capitalize with explosive overhand rights whenever the Georgian overextends.
This isn’t just a clash of styles, it’s a crossroads for both careers. A win for Gavashelishvili cements his claim as BRAVE CF’s premier Flyweight grappler and puts him on a collision course with title contention. For Ferreira, a victory would prove that his explosive striking can withstand and even punish the division’s most feared mat artist, skyrocketing him toward a top-five ranking.
When those cage doors close on June 7, all eyes will be glued to the Flyweight scrap that could define the division’s next chapter. As BRAVE CF continues its "Year of the BRAVE" campaign, this bout epitomizes the organization's dedication to high-stakes, international matchups. Will Georgia’s ground-and-pound machine overwhelm Brazil’s knockout thunder? Or will Ferreira’s stand-up brilliance end the night in spectacular fashion? One thing’s certain: BRAVE CF 96 is about to ignite the Flyweight division in Slovenia’s MMA hotbed.