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BRAVE CF 97: Bulgaria Delivers Fireworks as Kolev and Said Maalem Battle to a Draw in Thrilling Main Event
Jul 13, 2025
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BRAVE Combat Federation’s much-anticipated return to Bulgaria for BRAVE CF 97 did not disappoint, as fans at the packed Arena Burgas witnessed a night filled with explosive knockouts, slick submissions, and hard-fought decisions—culminating in a gripping main event that ended in a rare draw.
In the main event, Bulgaria’s own Kaloyan Kolev and Algerian powerhouse Mohamed Said Maalem collided in a light heavyweight war. Both fighters had their moments in a back-and-forth contest, with Kolev aiming to avenge his teammate Djambazov’s previous loss to Maalem. After three tightly contested rounds, the judges were unable to determine a clear winner, declaring the bout a draw, leaving fans hungry for a potential rematch.
The co-main event featured a pivotal bantamweight clash between Brice Picaud and Georgia’s Lasha Abramishvili. Lasha wasted no time asserting dominance, securing a rear-naked choke just 2:14 into the first round. With this emphatic win, Lasha may have punched his ticket to a potential title eliminator.
In a thrilling lightweight showdown, Bulgarian fan-favorite Plamen Penchev made a statement with a devastating 42-second knockout over France’s Sofiane Bouafia, igniting the crowd with one of the fastest finishes of the night.
Gerard Burns returned to the BRAVE CF cage with poise and maturity, outpointing Alinson Ochoa over three rounds to earn a unanimous decision and continue his flyweight ascent.
Lightweight warrior Anton Yanchev kept the momentum alive for Bulgaria with a dominant performance, locking in an arm triangle to submit Johan Van de Hel, solidifying his status as one of the division’s top rising stars.
In a catchweight bout, Murad Guseinov displayed precision and power, finishing Gabriel Bula with a stunning TKO at 4:42 of Round 1, adding another highlight to his growing resume.
The night also saw a highlight-reel performance from Deyan Galinov, who delivered a brutal KO at 2:46 of Round 2 against Abdou Kadirr Sowe in their welterweight bout, electrifying the Burgas crowd with his power.
Opening the night, Mimm Grubb shocked the Bulgarian crowd by earning a unanimous decision win over hopeful Songül Karatorak in a high-paced strawweight battle, handing Karatorak her first BRAVE CF loss.
With BRAVE CF 97, the promotion once again showcased its commitment to elevating European MMA while delivering world-class competition. As the “Year of the BRAVE” continues, the road to BRAVE CF 100 is heating up with unforgettable action and rising stars emerging from every corner of the globe.
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