BRAVE Combat Federation will make its highly anticipated debut in the Netherlands with BRAVE CF 83 on May 25. Held in association with Enfusion’s ECE MMA brand and headlined by the Super Welterweight showdown between former champion Marcin Bandel and European superstar Alex Lohoré, the event promises to be an exciting one for the fans. Here is the Full Fight Card: Main Event Super Welterweight: Marcin Bandel (79.5kg) vs. Alex Lohoré (79.5kg) Co-Main Event Middleweight: Noach Blyden (83.7kg) vs. Oskar Herczyk (84kg) Catchweight (72kg): Youssef Boughanem (72kg) vs. Saad Touijar (71.7kg) Catchweight (63kg): Muhammad Idrisov (62.8kg) vs.  Zaka Fatullazade (66.7kg)* Super Welterweight: Chequina Noso Pedro (79.45kg) vs. Ali Isajew (79.5kg) *Didn't make weight, will forfeit 20% of his purse to Idrisov Where To Watch / How to Watch & More BRAVE CF 83: Bandel vs Lohoré Where:  Alkmaar, Netherlands When:  Saturday, May 25th Event Date / Timing: May 25, 2024 - 11:30 AM Pacific Time / 2:30 PM Eastern Time. Watch BRAVE CF 83 Live Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1zbSe57t7U Watch BRAVE CF 83 Live Stream on BRAVE TV App: https://watch.bravecftv.com/video/brave-cf-83 Where to Watch BRAVE CF TV App, Youtube.com/bravemmaf – Worldwide (except for Russia, France, Belgium and Netherlands) DAZN – Worldwide except for Russia and exclusive for France, Belgium, and Netherlands OKKO Sport –  exclusive for Russia Unbeaten – USA, Canada, United Kingdom JIO TV - India StarTimes – Africa VOYO - Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Serbia SPORT+ - Kazakhstan VIDIO - Indonesia ARENA Sport - Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Slovenia, Croatia & North Macedonia Bahrain TV – Bahrain, MENA AirTel TV - Africa NEW WORLD TV – French-speaking Africa Sport+ - Kazakhstan

and showed why martial arts is always a must-see experience. The main event delivered a rare knockout win as Parham Gheirati finished Jordan Godtfredsen by push kick. The push kick came right up the center and connected, and Godtfredsen could not answer the referee’s count. The impressive win kept Gheirati moving forward as a possible future contender. Petninmungkorn Captainkaneboxing breezed past Akkaradet Guaybangkorlaem with a first-round knockout. After a huge knockdown, Akkaradet somehow managed to beat the count and get to his feet. But a second later, Petninmungkorn finished him off for good with another huge punch. The end came at 1:37 of the first round. Teeyai PK Saenchai showed off his power in a 48-second win. A glancing shot behind the ear was all it took to take away Shuto Sato’s equilibrium. The Japanese star couldn’t regain his footing, so the referee stopped the match, leaving Teeyai as a huge winner inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. Johan Estupinan could not have had a better debut. The Colombian athlete cracked Kouta Omori with an uppercut that rocked Omori and then finished the job with a head kick followed by a bout-ending left hand in just 27 seconds. Satoshi Katashima focused on the body of Jiang Lumin from the opening bell, and his game plan paid off with a second-round KO. After an effective first round, Katashima darted out and immediately threw rib-roasting shots. Jiang couldn’t handle the heat and dropped to the mat, and the referee waved the match off. Shoya Ishiguro got the first win of the evening when he heel-hooked Bruno Azevedo in their submission grappling showdown. Throughout the match, Ishiguro was the more active athlete, and it paid off just seconds before the final bell. Relive any action you may have missed on-demand via ONE’s official YouTube channel . ONE Friday Fights 64 Recap Parham Gheirati def. Jordan Godtfredsen by KO at 0:40 of the second round Petmuangsri Wankhongohm MBK def. Denphutai Superlek Muaythai by TKO at 1:19 of the 1st round Petmorakot Sitnayoktaweeptapthong def. Dieselnoi Liamthanawat by unanimous decision Lamsing Sor Dechapan def. Dabdam Por Tor Tor Thongtawee by unanimous decision Got Taipetburi def. Robocop Radgoldgym by split decision Petninmungkorn Captainkaneboxing def. Akkaradet Guaybangkorlaem by KO at 1:37 of the first round Teeyai PK Saenchai def. Shuto Sato by KO at 0:48 of the first round Johan Estupinan def. Kouta Omori by KO at 0:27 of the first round Noppadet Chor Hapayak def. Nawaaek Sor Sommai by split decision Isfak Seyid def. Felipe Negochadle by unanimous decision Satoshi Katashima def. Jiang Lumin by KO at 0:43 of the second round Shoya Ishiguro def. Bruno Azevedo via submission (heel hook) at 9:17 of the first round

After a deadly earthquake turns Seoul into a lawless badland, a fearless huntsman springs into action to rescue a teenager abducted by a mad doctor. For those as unaware as I was, Badland Hunters is a sequel to the 2023 film  Concrete Utopia .  Despite missing out on the context from Concrete Utopia , Badland Hunters is a fun ride with Mad Max vibes! Set in a world ravaged by mega-earthquakes, it presents a barren dystopian world, filled with settlements overrun by bandits.  The story follows a formidable hunter who combats these threats alongside encounters with a mad scientist conducting bizarre experiments on humans, resulting in an army of super soldiers. Our lead, played by Don Lee ( Train to Busan, The Eternals) provides comic relief and  impressive hand-to-hand combat, while fighting everyone and everything you could imagine in a zombie-filled wasteland.   Directed by Heo Myung, with a screenplay by Kim Bo-tong & Kwak Jae-min.   Starring: Don Lee , Lee Hee-jun, Lee Jun-young

Every week, Black Belt Magazine  keeps you updated with the best martial arts movies, events, and fights from around the world. This is the Black Belt Watch List . Saturday, May 25, 2024 Fight Night Puebla Mexico live on TrillerTV+ straight from Teatro Explanada Puebla! In the main event of the evening Luis Rey Gallegos takes on Rodolfo Rubio. Saturday, May 25, 2024 BRAVE Combat Federation in partnership with ECE hosts BRAVE CF 83, live from Alkmaar, Netherlands. In the main event Marcin Bandel from Poland faces English MMA Artist Alex Lohoré. Watch the event for FREE on YouTube and BRAVE TV App. Watch Sixty Minutes the new German martial arts film, now on Netflix. Watch the OG of all martial arts films, The One Armed Boxer streaming on free in the USA and Canada on Tubi. Watch Jet Li in Fearless streaming on Amazon Prime . Watch Jungle Wolf starring Karate Champion Ron Marchini on Black Belt YouTube. Watch BloodFist II starring Don "the Dragon" Wilson free on Pluto

Denice Zamboanga won’t get her shot at the ONE Atomweight MMA World Championship at ONE 167. However, the talented Filipina will remain on the June 7 card with a new opponent, Noelle Grandjean. Grandjean replaces the injured Stamp Fairtex, and the match will give her a massive opportunity to rebound after a tough loss to Chihiro Sawada in May. The quick turnaround against the division’s Number 2-ranked contender could thrust “Lil’ Monkey” right into the title chase. Grandjean has a decorated judo background and came into ONE Championship as an undefeated prospect. However, the level of competition has made it difficult to find consistency on the global stage. Zamboanga will be out to retain her spot in the division. The atomweight contender will also want to send a message to Stamp with an empathetic performance and set the stage for their title tilt later this year. “The Menace” won back-to-back matches against Lin Heqin and Julie Mezabarba to earn her shot at the gold. Now, she will need to make it three straight wins to keep that hope alive. Zamboanga will also be pushing herself to earn her first finish since 2020. The pressure will be on the 27-year-old, who could drop back to the end of the line with a loss. If there is any lack of motivation from Zamboanga, Grandjean could pull off a stunning upset in Bangkok at the Impact Arena. ONE 167 airs live on Friday, June 7, on Prime Video. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is free for all Amazon Prime members in the U.S. and Canada.

The UFC packed a variety of fights into May 2024, catering to every fan's taste with an exciting line-up. From a thrilling championship match to quick knockouts and standout performances by rising stars, the month was a complete entertainment package spread across three events. Breakout Star: Steve Erceg Steve Erceg again grabbed the spotlight with a standout performance. After a striking win in March, Erceg challenged for the flyweight title in Rio de Janeiro, elevating his status significantly. Despite losing, his resilient performance against Alexandre Pantoja highlighted his potential and marked him as a future contender at only 27 years old. Submission Highlight: Angela Hill Triumphs Angela Hill made headlines by securing her first submission victory against Luana Pinheiro at UFC Vegas 92. The veteran fighter showcased her evolving grappling skills by executing a flawless guillotine choke, confirming her continuous improvement even late in her career. Knockout of the Month: Esteban Ribovics Esteban Ribovics delivered the most spectacular knockout of the month by defeating Terrance McKinney in just 34 seconds at UFC St. Louis. His precise high kick showcased devastating power and timing, making it a memorable finish. Fight of the Month: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg The title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg at UFC 301 was a competitive and intense match, deserving of its main event status. Despite Pantoja retaining his title, the fight was closely contested, with Erceg proving his mettle as a worthy challenger.

Even though many combat sports now incorporate grappling, it’s the rare martial artist who can navigate them all and put his skills to use regardless of the setting. But from judo to sambo and from mixed martial arts to nogi grappling — and, most recently, Brazilian jiu-jitsu — Gokor Chivichyan has shown a unique aptitude for making his game work regardless of the rules. His Latest success, a division title at the World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship, came after more than a decade away from competition. “To be honest, most of the reason I came out of retirement was to lose weight,” said Chivichyan, 56. “It was good motivation to train harder, and I ended up dropping 25 pounds to make my division.” Prior to competing in 2019, Chivichyan had been out of the combat sports since 2008, when he jumped into a judo event on a lark and won his division. Before that, he’d been laid off for 10 years. That’s a far cry from his youth when he competed twice a month. GROWING UP in Armenia, then part of the Soviet Union, Chivichyan started wrestling when he was a child and later took up judo and sambo. He came to the United States with his family in 1981 and continued his training in Los Angeles with legend- ary grappler “Judo” Gene LeBell. “Gene kept calling it ‘grappling’ and would tell everyone, ‘Gokor does grappling,’ so I would always say I did grappling. I think we were really the first ones in martial arts to call it that. Now everyone says they do grappling,” Chivichyan said. There were both positives and negatives for the Armenian in America. He recalled that in general, the training he received in Armenia and the old Soviet Union was more professional. There were always coaches monitoring athletes’ work- outs, diet and pretty much every facet of their martial arts life. In contrast, he noted, in America all that is up to the individual.  “You could progress faster over there,” he said. “But the bad part was they would only let you go so high. Even if you became a world cham- pion, they wouldn’t let you move on and grow. In America, they give you a lot more opportunities to grow. And now, with things like MMA, the train- ing here is much more professional.” CHIVICHYAN’S BIGGEST regret in his martial arts career is never getting the opportunity to go to the Olym- pics as a judoka. During his prime competitive years in the 1980s, he was stuck in citizenship limbo. No longer living in Armenia, he couldn’t compete for the Soviet Union. But not having achieved his U.S. citizen- ship yet, he was ineligible to join the American team. He finally got his American citizenship in 1988, but it was too late to qualify for that year’s Olympic squad, he said. Rather than wait around for another four years, Chivichyan stepped back from competition and considered the future. Recently married, he needed to earn money, so he opened his own school in 1991. It came at just the right time because the UFC and the grappling craze were about to hit full force. “In the 1980s, I was telling people it’s not all about striking,” Chivichyan said. “I’d say, ‘You have to grapple, you have to be able to wrestle.’ But the martial arts magazines were only showing karate and kung fu, and no one wanted to hear about grappling. Then the UFC came along and a lot of strikers wanted to compete, but they saw the grapplers had more chances to beat the strikers, so they started coming down to my academy to train.” With his teaching expertise — and his old coach LeBell frequently in residence — Chivichyan built his Hayastan MMA Academy into a Southern California mecca for all manner of grapplers, from aspiring judo champs to would-be MMA fight- ers. UFC great Ronda Rousey got her start in MMA there. And several of Chivichyan’s younger students like Karo Parisyan and Manny Gamburyan grew up onsite and made it all the way to the UFC, as well. ALTHOUGH HE’D sporadically venture back into competition, winning a national judo title in 1994 and an MMA fight in 1997, Chivichyan had been absent from that world for a decade when he attended a judo event in 2008. He jokingly mentioned to his friends that he might compete. When someone took him seriously and it was announced that he was entering, he was forced to step up. Wearing a bor- rowed gi, Chivichyan emerged victorious. But this last time around, for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu debut, he was a little better prepared. After trying a preliminary event earlier in the year, Chivichyan began preparing in earnest for the World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Champion- ship in August. Having to compete under a rule set he wasn’t completely familiar with — one that didn’t allow some of his favorite leg-lock techniques — he decided to stick with the basics and rely on his go-to judo moves. After hitting his first opponent with a textbook judo sweep and landing inside control before clinching victory, Chivichyan made it through to the finals. “I didn’t need to impress people,” he said. “I just decided to keep things simple and not try to submit to everyone. In the championship fight, as soon as we locked up on our feet, my opponent felt the strength in my grip and immediately went to the ground. But I’m pretty good there, too.” Easily passing his opponent’s guard, Chivichyan scored the only points of the match to take home the gold. He admitted that it felt good to be back on the podium again after all these years. “When I was young, I didn’t say I was going to compete; I’d say I was going to go win,” he said. “After years of not competing, I didn’t have that confidence anymore. But as soon as I grabbed the first guy and saw he was worried about my grip, I got more confident.” Whatever the rules, as long as there’s grappling involved, Chivichyan has proved over and over that his confidence is justified. The only question is, Will martial artists have to wait another 10 years to see him compete again? “You never know,” he said. “I’ve got a no-gi tournament I’m going to with some students coming up. Maybe I’ll jump in there.” This article originally appeared in a 2020 issue of Black Belt Magazine.

Jean Claude Van Damme appeared on the 1993 cover shot by Doug Churchill. Showing off the "muscles from Brussels." The feature story centered around the dangers in movie stunts. Read more in the Black Belt Magazine section https://www.blackbeltmag.com/free-magazines

For traditional martial artists, the line between styles can seem concrete: Hard styles strike, and soft styles grapple. But anyone who’s studied the history and applications of traditional styles knows better. Most hard styles like karate have many grappling techniques in their curricula. And styles like judo and aikido (if taught correctly) have basic strikes and even kicks. Trouble can arise when the applications of such techniques are confused. Sticking with the example of karate and judo, both arts have similar basic techniques when it comes to striking and grappling, but the applications of said techniques are far from the same. And they shouldn’t be. Hard styles use grappling to set up strikes, and soft styles use strikes to set up grappling. Traditional martial arts in the modern era rarely emphasize these elements even though they’re embedded deeply within every style. For judo and karate, sport competition has eroded much of the practice of the hard-soft aspects of the arts. And aikido in most of its modern incarnations has lost its effective striking fundamentals. In the introduction to his instructional-cum-critique Atemi: The Thunder and Lightning of Aikido, Walther G. Von Krenner laments the current state of the art: “His [O-Sensei’s] ideals of peace and harmony seem to have supplanted modern practitioners’ desire for effective techniques and fighting skills. They view the founder’s spiritual goals as more important than the art’s physical techniques.” Even though aikido has been an easy target for criticism, karate isn’t above reproach, either. There are grappling techniques (and defenses against grappling techniques) in the kata of every karate style, but walk into any dojo in America and there’s a good chance not even the sensei will know the bunkai (applications) of the forms, let alone how to apply them in a real fight. Blame it on sport martial arts, lazy instruction or the prevalence of McDojos — whatever the cause, bunkai is becoming a lost art in its own right. Two Skill Sets As with so many things in the martial arts world, everyone has his or her own ideas of what works, what doesn’t and what should be left on the cutting-room floor of a bad kung fu movie. But they aren’t always correct. These days, we take for granted the need to be a well-rounded fighter, but when I started martial arts, I remember many so-called masters dismissing the need for grappling altogether. “Just don’t go to the ground,” they would say when someone broached the subject. Decades of that sort of thinking are why so many traditional styles find themselves playing catch-up with the realities of self-defense and fighting. Another problem crops up when a traditional stylist who’s spent 20 years training on one end of the hard-soft spectrum thinks he can close the gap after a year or two of cross-training. You can’t. Even someone who’s done both hard and soft styles since the beginning very often leans one way or the other as a matter of preference or aptitude. This distinction isn’t meant to harden the lines between traditional styles, only to ensure you’re playing to your style’s strengths. In his seminal work Karate-Do Kyohan, Gichin Funakoshi sums up his view on karate’s throwing techniques: “Softness is necessary to become hard, and hardness is necessary to become soft. To begin with, both softness and hardness are one.” He expands on this premise in Karate Jutsu: The Original Teachings of Gichin Funakoshi: “‘Hard’ exists only because ‘soft’ exists, and so a combination of the two is certainly advantageous.” Done Differently In application, there are differences. A throw in karate isn’t the same as a throw in judo or aikido. The same is true of strikes in soft styles. Hard and soft styles have different methodologies, so it stands to reason that their application of similar techniques would be different, as well. In Karate Jutsu, Funakoshi says, “In contrast to jujutsu, karate might be considered a ‘hard’ art, and throwing and taking down an opponent are not fundamental aims.” It’s important to note this distinction. Someone trained primarily in karate, taekwondo, boxing or any art that relies mostly on striking will never be as good at effecting a throw or a grappling move as someone trained primarily in judo, aikido or Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The same is true of a soft stylist using strikes. There are certainly grapplers who have the physical strength to throw a punch that would knock out anyone unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of it — take a look at any high-level wrestler or judoka — but strength and skill are two different things. And a strong grappler would lose in the boxing ring just as quickly as a strong boxer would lose on the wrestling mat. As Funakoshi said, you must know the fundamental aim of your style in order to add techniques that will suit it. Both karate and judo have versions of osoto gari, or major outer reap. In the classical judo version of this throw, you off-balance your opponent to the rear before swinging your leg high, hooking your opponent’s calf and reaping his leg into the air. The follow-through is important here. Your body is like a pendulum: As your leg reaps into the air, lifting your opponent’s leg, your head goes down, driving his body hard into the ground. The throw alone is meant to injure the attacker. If it doesn’t, the judoka can follow up with an immobilization or joint lock. In karate, this throw looks closer to osoto otoshi. This version of the throw, also known as major outer drop, is used in judo when osoto gari is resisted. When the opponent tries to stiffen his leg to resist the throw, you slide your calf across the back of his thigh, slicing downward and using your leg like a fulcrum to drop him to the ground. In karate, maintaining one’s balance is paramount, so the fully committed version of the throw is not optimal. After the initial exchange, in which the karateka takes the opponent down, the aim is not to initiate grappling but to put the opponent in a position primed for a strike. At the end of the technique, you end up in a position similar to zenkutsu dachi, ready to add a finishing punch or stomp to the face or ribs. Executed Effectively In aikido, one of the first throws taught is shomen irimi nage. When your opponent attacks, you spin on your body’s vertical axis andredirect the attack downward. Then, as he is overextended forward, your arm cuts circularly upward under his chin and, following a forward step diagonally behind him, you drop your hips and take him to the ground. In karate, a similar technique starts almost the same. The attacker punches, and you step back and redirect the punch downward. This time, however, you step forward and simultaneously attack his chin with a palm strike, continuing forward to force his head and body backward and to the ground. Even something as simple as a sweep can be drastically different in hard and soft styles. In judo’s de ashi barai, the basic sweep is gentle and depends on timing and finesse. In contrast, a sweep from shotokan karate is little more than a roundhouse kick to the calf that knocks the opponent off his feet. This isn’t to say that karate lacks finesse — far from it — but in application, it’s advantageous to make one technique similar to another that has already been mastered. The primary tool of hard styles is striking, and it makes sense that practitioners would use grappling techniques to set up strikesand kicks. Using grappling in this way supports the hard stylist’s primary weapon. To try to use grappling the same way as a soft stylist is a mistake, and a dangerous one. Grappling is a supplement, not a replacement. With an Open Mind The same is true for soft stylists. Since arts like judo, aikido and Brazilian jiu-jitsu emphasize throws and grappling techniques, strikes are best used to off-balance the opponent. Take the simple front kick. The most basic leg technique, a front kick to the groin distracts and off-balances the opponent in front, whereas the judoka can effect a throw such as harai goshi or koshi guruma. Again, following the goal of doing the most damage possible with the throw, once the defender has rotated the opponent over his hips, he can follow the momentum, continuing to the ground and landing on the attacker’s rib cage with all his weight. The kick is just as useful in aikido. After receiving an overhead strike and continuing into ikkajo, the attacker often resists. This could be a result of bad timing on the defender’s part or an experienced attacker anticipating the technique. Either way, when the attacker resists a well-placed front kick to the ribs, it can make all the difference, allowing the defender to complete the immobilization. Another technique for setting up throws is the elbow strike. After blocking an opponent’s attack, the judoka can slam a horizontal elbow into the jaw, sending the opponent backward. Then it would be a simple matter of continuing forward and sending him flying with osoto gari or a double-leg takedown. As mentioned before, aikido has been an easy and regular target for ridicule and debate for its seeming lack of realistic fighting techniques. One of the major criticisms is the almost complete lack of strikes and kicks in the art. This is untrue. Aikido has a rich cache of striking techniques to complement its throws and immobilizations. These elements have been ingrained in the art from the beginning. In Budo: Teachings of the Founder of Aikido, which collects some of the earliest photos from Morihei Ueshiba’s development of aikido, the evidence supports this. Taken at the infamous Noma Dojo, at first glance many of the techniques look like run-of-the-mill aikido that you’d see at any modern school. Until you look closer. O-Sensei’s descriptions of the techniques paint a different picture than one sees in the modern-day variants. A technique like sokumen irimi nage (a version of shomen irimi nage in which the defender throws the attacker from the side), for example, is more than what it  seems. When the defender in the modern version executes the throw, one arm slides to the base of the attacker’s throat and the other to just in front of his torso. From here, the defender extends forward, drops his weight and throws the attacker. In Budo, the photos show much the same, but the text describes the defender using both arms to strike the attacker’s throat and ribs. To Achieve the Goal When you focus on these aspects of your traditional style, whether hard or soft, it will only strengthen your technique. Furthermore, it will make transitioning to the other end of the spectrum smoother. The lines between hard and soft begin to meld together when you fine-tune those parts of your traditional practice. Thanks to the rise of the mixed martial arts, traditional stylists often feel obligated to cross-train. This is generally a good thing. It’s important to remember, however, that the rudiments of both hard and soft techniques can be found in your own traditional art. Master those techniques, and a world of possibilities will open for you. Marcus Day has practiced martial arts for 24 years. A fourth-degree black belt in the pagoda ryu karate system, he teaches at Beverly Pagoda Martial Arts Academy in Chicago. For more information, visit beverlypagodamartialartsacademy.com or marcusday.org . This article originally appeared in a 2021 edition of Black Belt Magazine.

The Accor Arena in Paris, France was once again the host of an incredible night of mixed martial arts (MMA) action, as the Bellator Champions Series delivered with an exciting championship main event, as well as the return of a hometown hero.  Let’s take a quick look back at the most exciting moments from Bellator Champions Series: Paris. Cédric Doumbé’s Explosive Bellator Debut While he was competing in the co-main event at Bellator,  Cédric Doumbé (6-1) was no doubt the man that everyone in the arena wanted to see. The French striking standout made an explosive entrance to the Bellator scene, thrilling the Parisian crowd with a first-round TKO victory over Jaleel Willis (16-6). Doumbé’s striking power was on full display, ending the fight at 3:33 of round one and sending the audience into a frenzy.  It was a fitting conclusion to weeks of verbal back-and-forth between Doumbe and Willis.  A New Challenger Steps Up to “The Best.”  The excitement didn't end after the bell for Doumbe, as former UFC and Bellator champion Anthony Pettis entered the cage post-fight, declaring his intention to face the hometown favorite in Paris. The potential matchup promises another spectacular showdown, further elevating Doumbé’s already impressive debut. Pettis, meanwhile, last fought in the PFL in 2022, but has remained active in combat sports through boxing and Karate Combat.  Patchy Mix Retains Bantamweight Title in Epic Rematch Patchy Mix (20-1) reaffirmed his status as one of the top fighters in the world with a hard-fought victory over Magomed Magomedov (16-2) to retain his Bellator Bantamweight Championship. The main event was a closely contested battle that went the distance, with both fighters having their moments over the 25-minute bout. Mix ultimately secured the split decision win (48-47, 46-49, 48-47), marking his seventh consecutive victory and second title defense. The rematch proved Mix's resilience and tactical prowess, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final bell. Costello Van Steenis Silences the Home Crowd Costello Van Steenis (15-3) delivered a stunning performance, silencing the home crowd by defeating France's Gregory Babene (23-12) via Von Flue Choke at 2:16 of round two. "The Spaniard" showcased his grappling skills, earning a submission victory and securing a future shot at the Bellator Middleweight World Championship. With this win, Van Steenis sets his sights on the undefeated champion Johnny Eblen, adding another layer of intrigue to the middleweight division. With the thrilling culmination of the Paris event, anticipation now builds for Bellator Champion Series Dublin on June 22 at the 3Arena. The event will be headlined by Welterweight Champion Jason Jackson (18-4), who is on an impressive eight-fight win streak, defending his title against the undefeated Ramazan Kuramagomedov (12-0).  Additionally, Irish prospect Paul Hughes (11-1) will make his promotional debut against Bellator veteran Bobby King (12-6), promising an exciting night for MMA fans. The Bellator Champions Series: Paris has set a high bar for excitement and competition, leaving fans eager for more as the series continues in Dublin.

BRAVE Combat Federation Rankings For More visit: https://bravecf.com/rankings Here are the current BRAVE CF Athlete Rankings: BRAVE CF Athlete Rankings: Bantamweight Nkosi Ndebele (8-2-0) Nkosi Ndebele's journey from the streets of Soweto, South Africa, to the upper echelons of MMA is nothing short of inspiring. Rising above his challenging circumstances, he has emerged as one of the world's top fighters. Starting his career in the tough amateur circuits of South Africa, Ndebele quickly made a name for himself. His crowning achievement came when he clinched gold in the IMMAF African championships, showcasing his exceptional skills and determination. His professional debut under the banner of BRAVE Combat Federation at BRAVE CF 19 marked a significant milestone, not just for Ndebele, but for African MMA as a whole. Matched against the formidable Ahmed Farress, with an impressive record of 14-2, Ndebele faced a daunting challenge. However, he lived up to his moniker 'The Future' by delivering a stunning TKO victory over his Egyptian opponent. This victory not only announced his arrival on the professional scene but also served as a bold statement to the entire Bantamweight division. Ndebele's journey symbolizes resilience, determination, and the power of perseverance. From the streets to the global stage, he continues to inspire aspiring fighters worldwide. Rank Name Pro MMA Record Champion Nkosi Ndebele (South Africa) 8-2-0 [W-L-D] 1 Jose Torres (USA) 12-3-1 [W-L-D] 2 Hamza Kooheji (Bahrain) 12-3-0 [W-L-D] 3 Borislav Nikolić (Serbia) 10-2-0 [W-L-D] 4 Nicholas Hwende (South Africa) 8-1-0 [W-L-D] 5 Izzeddine Al Derbani (Jordan) 14-4-0 [W-L-D] BRAVE CF Athlete Rankings: Featherweight Nemat Abdrashitov (19-8-0) Nemat Abdrashitov, often known as "The Eagle," is an accomplished mixed martial artist from Kyrgyzstan making significant strides in the MMA world. He recently clinched a world title at BRAVE Combat Federation, becoming only the second Kyrgyz fighter after his training partner Abdisalam "Omok" Kubanychbek to achieve this feat. Abdrashitov secured the championship belt with a commendable performance against Roman Bogatov at BRAVE CF 72, marking a significant milestone as it was his first fight in the competition that did not end in a knockout. Prior to this, he had a streak of knockouts, defeating his last three opponents in this manner. Abdrashitov has an impressive professional record of 19 wins and eight losses. Among his victories are notable fights against Marcos Vinícius Costa, Anzor Abdulkhozhaev, and Alikhon Khasanov. His win streak includes seven consecutive victories, and he has remained unbeaten since 2019. His achievements have not only elevated his status in the international MMA scene but have also made him a national hero in Kyrgyzstan. Upon winning the BRAVE CF world title, he received a hero's welcome back home, complete with a grand reception at the airport and meetings with government officials to celebrate and acknowledge his success in the sport. Rank Name Pro MMA Record Champion Nemat Abdrashitov (Kyrgystan) 19-8-0 [W-L-D] 1 Roman Bogatov (Russia) 13-2-0 [W-L-D] 2 Omar Solomanov (Ukraine) 12-2-0 [W-L-D] 3 Tae Kyun Kim (South Korea) 10-1-0 [W-L-D] 4 Ilyar Askhanov ( Kazakhstan) 13-6-0 [W-L-D] 5 Abdullah Al-Qahtani (Saudi Arabia) 9-1-0 [W-L-D] BRAVE CF Athlete Rankings: Lightweight Kubanychbek Abdisalam Uulu (21-3-0) Abdisalam "Omok" Uulu Kubanychbek, a prominent mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from Kyrgyzstan, made significant strides in the sport as he claimed the BRAVE CF Lightweight championship at BRAVE CF 69. His victory over Russia's Kamil Magomedov marked him as the first-ever Kyrgyzstan BRAVE CF lineal world champion, a milestone that filled his compatriots with immense pride. Beginning his athletic career in wrestling, Kubanychbek transitioned to MMA and quickly established himself on the global stage. Since his debut in 2015, he has compiled an impressive record of 20 wins, three losses, and one No Contest. Known for his relentless wrestling, exceptional cardio, and humble demeanor, Kubanychbek is often compared to MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. His success is not just personal but has significantly boosted the popularity of MMA in Kyrgyzstan, inspiring a new generation of fighters. As he continues his unbeaten streak of seven fights in the BRAVE CF cage, Kubanychbek is on a path to forge a lasting legacy, much like Nurmagomedov did for Dagestan. Rank Name Pro MMA Record Champion Kubanychbek Abdisalam Uulu 21-3-0 [W-L-D] 1 Lucas Martins (Brazil) 22-70 [W-L-D] 2 Amin Ayoub (France) 20-5-0 [W-L-D] 3 Kamil Magomedov (Russia) 16-4-0 [W-L-D] 4 Ylies Djiroun (France) 22-8-0 [W-L-D] 5 Olzhas Eskaraev ( Kazakhstan) 15-7-0 [W-L-D] BRAVE CF Athlete Rankings: Super Lightweight Eldar Eldarov (14-1-0) Eldar Eldarov is a prominent figure in the world of mixed martial arts, particularly known for his achievements with BRAVE Combat Federation. In April 2019, he made history by becoming the inaugural world champion of the Super Lightweight division, which encompasses fighters up to 165 pounds. This milestone marked a significant achievement in Eldarov's career, which began in Dagestan with a strong background in wrestling and combat sambo. Before his full transition to MMA, he secured a silver medal at the world championship in combat sambo. Eldarov is part of the distinguished first generation of athletes mentored by Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the late revered coach. He has honored his mentor's legacy by successfully imparting this rich martial arts knowledge to his students. As a fighter, Eldarov boasts an impressive professional record with 14 wins and only one defeat, the latter by the renowned Khabib Nurmagomedov. His victories include notable fights against Brian Hooi, Denis Maher, Mounir Lazzez, and Leonardo Mafra. Beyond his fighting prowess, Eldarov has also excelled as a coach. He serves as the head coach of KHK Team Bahrain and the Bahrain National MMA amateur team. Under his leadership, both teams have achieved significant success. KHK Team Bahrain is recognized as one of the top MMA teams globally, and the Bahrain National Team has topped the rankings under the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). Furthermore, his team triumphed at the inaugural MMA Super Cup in early 2022. Eldarov's dual role as a champion fighter and a visionary coach highlights his significant impact on MMA both inside and outside the cage. Rank Name Pro MMA Record Champion Eldar Eldarov (Bahrain) 14-1-0 [W-L-D] 1 Joilton Lutterbach (Brazil) 38-10-0 [W-L-D] 2 Mihail Kotruţă (Moldova) 14-3-0 [W-L-D] 3 Axel Sola (France) 7-0-0 [W-L-D] 4 Luan Santiago (Brazil) 22-7-0 [W-L-D] 5 Abbas Khan (Bahrain) 6-2-0 [W-L-D] BRAVE CF Athlete Rankings: Super Welterweight Kamal Magomedov (11-0-0) Kamal Magomedov, an undefeated powerhouse in the realm of professional mixed martial arts, maintains a flawless record of 11 wins with no losses. Originating from Moscow, Russia, Magomedov has emerged as a dominant figure in the Welterweight division. His fighting style is characterized by a meticulous blend of precision striking, resilient defense, and unwavering focus, which have all contributed to his notable successes in the ring. Each victory underscores his exceptional skills and his relentless pursuit of excellence in martial arts. Rank Name Pro MMA Record Champion Kamal Magomedov (Russia) 11-0-0 [W-L-D] 1 Marcin Bandel (Poland) 22-8-1 [W-L-D] 2 Luiz Cado (Brazil) 17-7-1 [W-L-D] 3 Jack Grant 4 Ahmad Labban (Lebanon) 13-6-0 [W-L-D] 5 Eliezer Kubanza (DR Congo) 5-0-0 [W-L-D] BRAVE CF Athlete Rankings: Middleweight BRAVE CF does not have a Middleweight World Champion, here are the current rankings. Rank Name Pro MMA Record Champion Vacant 1 Abusupyan Alikhanov (Russia) 14-3-0 [W-L-D] 2 Chad Hanekom (South Africa) 9-3-0 [W-L-D] 3 Rustam Chsiev (Russia) 5-3-0 [W-L-D] 4 Enrico Cortese (Italy) 8-3-0 [W-L-D] 5 Murtaza Talha (Bahrain) 6-1-0 [W-L-D]

ONE 167 will have a new main event after ONE Atomweight MMA World Champion Stamp Fairtex withdrew from the event due to injury. ONE Championship announced Stamp’s departure on Tuesday, citing a torn meniscus for the Thai superstar. Stamp detailed the moment the injury occurred as she trained to defend her title against Denice Zamboanga at the event. “My sparring partner was behind me, and she was going to take me down. She grabbed my body and lifted me up, but since she is smaller than me, when she lifted me up, she couldn’t lift me that high, and my leg was still touching the ground,” Stamp recalled to ONE . “Then, she twisted. When she twisted, my leg was still touching the ground, so my knee got twisted. When it twisted, it made a loud noise. So, I stopped immediately and went for an MRI after that. [And the doctor said] my meniscus was torn.” Zamboanga will remain on the card, with an opponent to be named shortly. ONE 167’s new main event will be the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship showdown between Tawanchai PK Saenchai and “Smokin” Jo Nattawut. The two met in 2023 in a wild kickboxing battle. The rematch, in four-ounce gloves, will only stand to be more exciting for the fans inside the Impact Arena. Although no longer on the card, Stamp is shining a light on the depth of the ONE 167 event and pulling for the other athletes competing on the card. “I worked hard and was very focused on this fight. Accidents happen all the time,” Stamp said. “For those who were going to watch me, I would like you to give encouragement to all Thai fighters. Tawanchai [PK Saenchai], Jo [Nattawut], Rodtang [Jitmuangnon], and Mikey [Musumeci].” Stamp has undergone surgery to repair the injury, putting her ONE 168: Denver main event in question. Although the news is unfortunate, ONE 167 remains a stacked event and will air live and free on Prime Video on Friday, June 7. ONE 167 airs at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT for all U.S. and Canadian Amazon Prime members.