On December 5th, 2023, Khalifa Sports City in Bahrain will be electrified with the pulse-pounding excitement of BRAVE CF 77. This premier event marks the first of four action-packed showcases during the BRAVE International Combat Week, culminating the year with unparalleled martial arts prowess. The fight card for BRAVE CF 77 features five bouts, each promising a blend of skill, strength, and strategy. The main event and co-main event are set to be explosive championship clashes, showcasing some of the finest talents in MMA today. The Main Event: Lightweight Championship Battle Kubanychbek Abdisalam Uulu, a formidable contender with a record of impressive victories, will be challenged by the Brazilian MMA star Lucas Martins for the prestigious BRAVE CF Lightweight Championship belt. This bout is more than a contest for the title; it's a clash of styles and wills, with both fighters known for their aggressive tactics and indomitable spirits. Co-Main Event: Welterweight Championship Showdown In the co-main event, Kamal Magomedov steps into the cage to challenge Marcin Bandel for the BRAVE CF Welterweight Championship belt. Both fighters have carved their paths to this title shot with determination and skill, promising a fight that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. The Supporting Bouts Beyond the title fights, the main card features a trio of equally compelling matchups: Lightweight Bout : Olzhas Eskaraev vs. Ruslan Tedeev – A battle of rising stars in the lightweight division, where technique and agility will be key. Flyweight Bout : Egyptian sensation Maysara Mohamed takes on Vitaliy Yakimenko. This fight is expected to be a fast-paced display of striking and grappling prowess. Bantamweight Opening Bout : Nicholas Hwende faces Mutolibsho Akobirov, setting the stage for the night with what promises to be a dynamic and engaging contest. BRAVE CF 77 is more than just a series of fights; it's a celebration of martial arts, bringing together athletes, fans, and enthusiasts from around the world. As part of the BRAVE International Combat Week, this event serves as a testament to the growing global appeal of mixed martial arts and the unifying power of sport. With a lineup featuring some of the best fighters from around the globe, BRAVE CF 77 at Khalifa Sports City promises to be an unforgettable night of high-octane MMA action. Whether you're a die-hard MMA fan or a newcomer to the sport, this event is not to be missed. As these warriors prepare to step into the cage, the anticipation and excitement continue to build for what is sure to be one of the most thrilling events of the year.

Bahraini icon has earmarked Alsameea as a future hero of the sport and has hailed him as ‘’a fighter with heart and no fear’’ As the number one fighter in Bahrain’s history, Hamza Kooheji is in the best position to analyze the future of the sport of MMA in the Kingdom. And as he’s currently sidelined with injury and unable to represent his beloved country and the Arab world at the Arab Legends vs UK & Ireland duel that will take place during BRAVE CF 80, December 15, at the Khalifa Sports City Arena, Hamza is putting his hopes on young Mohammed ‘’Zuhair’’ Alsameaa. The 20-year-old has recently turned professional following a victorious run in the amateur scene, and a world silver medal in the IMMAF Championships. And ‘’Zuhair’’ will be in action at BRAVE CF 80, when he will face Yehia Ashraf, and Hamza has spoken of his beginnings, and hailed the young man from KHK as one to watch out in the future – and now. They trained together since Alsameea was beginning. ‘’ Zuhair came to the gym when he was young. He trained with Yousif (Kooheji) much more than with me. I wasn’t always available at that time because I would train around the world. When I used to see him, he was 12 or 13 and really motivated. The good thing about him is that he has a heart, he’s not afraid. He is a really good fighter and is not afraid to give his 100% all the time’’. Mohammed Alsameea is now earmarked as the next man to take over the sport in Bahrain and, as a Flyweight, he will be hoping to make a similar impact worldwide as the one made by Hamza Kooheji, one of his idols. His next step towards reaching that goal will be on December 15, at BRAVE CF 80.

In an electrifying night of mixed martial arts, Combate Global 's December 2nd event showcased a series of compelling bouts with fighters delivering memorable performances. The main event saw Cristian "Puas" Perez secure a stunning victory over Sebastian "Pitbull" Piedranhita with a technical knockout only 17 seconds into the second round. Perez's swift strikes proved too much for Piedranhita, demonstrating his prowess in the cage. Co-main event action featured Anastasia Nikolakakos against Ana "La Guerrera" Palacios, with Nikolakakos triumphing via a technical knockout at the 3:20 mark of the third round. Her relentless pressure and striking accuracy earned her the win in a hard-fought battle. Kayla "Kayrock" Hracho claimed a unanimous decision over Andrea "Kali" Meneses in a bout that showcased Hracho's superior technique and stamina. Michel Martinez emerged victorious against Carlo "El Bambino" Ricci, securing a technical knockout 1 minute and 25 seconds into their match, proving his dominant striking capabilities. In a closely contested match, Janet Garcia won by unanimous decision over Katie "Maquina Asesina" Perez, displaying impressive grappling and control throughout the fight. The featured bout of the evening saw Ernesto “The Stallion” Ibarra win by unanimous decision against Javier "El Pantera" Valdebenito. Ibarra's comprehensive skill set and adaptability shone through, earning him a well-deserved victory. Fans won't have to wait long for more action as Combate Global's next event is slated for December 9, 2023. Be sure to follow all the excitement and updates on Combate Global's official social media pages on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Here are the social media links for Combate Global: Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/CombateGlobal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CombateGlobalOfficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CombateGlobal​​.

Judo in the United States continues to take a back burner to major sports like Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, Swimming, Track & Field and Soccer. It’s interesting that Soccer like Judo has a huge international following and was able to catch on in popularity in the US. In terms of the martial arts in the United States; Boxing and Wrestling were always popular, but Karate, Taekwondo, and BJJ all have also become well know. Yet Judo still lags behind with rare exceptions such as Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison. In the article The Established Order , by Pedro Lasuen; photos by Gabriela Sabau, Emanuele Di Feliciantonio, & Tamara Kulumbegashvili which appeared on the International Judo Federation’s (IJF) website recently, it focuses on 3 countries where judo has done extremely well. I wanted to share it this week in my Black Belt Judo Blog . If constancy were a country , this would be Japan and if it had friends, they would be France and Georgia. The podium of medals by nations shows an encouraging balance for the traditionalists, with an overwhelming Japan and some princes faithful to their reputation. The favorites have not disappointed in this 2022 that is ending, but to think that the result is easy to obtain would be to make a mistake. Japan has dominated the international scene for a decade. It has a lot of raw material and an abundance of talent but that is where the danger lies. You have to know how to manage a fortune so as not to go bankrupt and the secret of Japan is work and competition at the highest level before going abroad. It's a bit like the United States in swimming or Kenya and Ethiopia in distance running. There are so many candidates for everything that the most difficult thing is to reserve a place in the starting team and keep it. Then, once your national status is established, at least for a while, you have to go out and beat everyone with a different passport. No, being a Japanese judoka is not easy and it is not a guarantee of gold either. With more than a hundred accumulated medals, more than fifty gold, Japan far exceeds any hint of adversity. Their athletes have been the best, especially at important moments, and the substitutes, the members of the second and third rows, have had notable roles. It can be said that, until Paris 2024, Japan is assured of a calm and non-turbulent trip, although it would be advisable not to be overconfident to avoid an emergency landing, as happened in London 2012. France is the eternal contender, which means perseverance and frustration. It is the country with the most graduates in the world and has a solid tradition in our sport. In recent years, the competitive capacity of the French has been kept up thanks to a prodigious women's team, while the men were going through an evident stage of decline. Overreliance on Teddy Riner, injuries, bad luck and a few mistakes have relegated the men to supporting roles while the women shone in the hands of Clarisse Agbégnénou, Madeleine Malonga and Amandine Buchard. However, France has managed to make a generational transition with the appearance of some youngsters hungry for glory. Their names are Dicko, Boukli, Djalo, Cysique and Fontaine, to name just a few. They are young, some already champions and with many years ahead of them. Being second in a row, like Raymond Poulidor in the Tour de France, can generate frustration but it is also a source of pride, especially when you have to say goodbye to the representatives of so many glorious afternoons and carefully polish the new diamonds. France has added, more or less, half the medals of Japan, which indicates the gap between them but since everything is relative in life, you can have a glass half empty or half full. The difference is, for the moment, considerable, but less than a few years ago. Let everyone draw their own conclusions. The small one closes the march, by extension and size of the budget. It is no longer a baby but an adult, a robust and fearsome country in judo matters and for that it has even more merit because its population does not reach six million. Georgia has signed off on an exceptional season with a dozen medals less than France. Georgians are that neighborhood that nobody wants to go through. Regardless of the results, the most resounding success of the federation has been to strengthen a women's team, which was the weak point of the Georgian school. The figurehead is Eteri Liparteliani and her example has helped her teammates understand that it is possible to win. There is still a long way to go but the foundations have been laid and are solid. This trio is the image of judo. There is work, talent and hardness, there is a desire to excel, to do better, to take nothing for granted. This trio should be a source of inspiration for those countries eager to upend the established order. They have travelled the path to the top and do not want to go down because things look better from above. It is the others who have to escalate, perform the same tasks and evict them from there. We know that there are ambitions and the desire to do it, which is why 2023 promises to be a very interesting year. Updates: The Return of Teddy Riner at the WJC, Controversial Match & IJF Post Match Statement Survey Request My friend Leandro Lorenco of Milestone Martial Arts in Las Vegas is pursuing a PhD in Psychology. As such is researching and developing and validating a scale to access the degree of mental strength in combat sports practitioners. Here is the link to the simple and anonymous Google Form that should take less than 5 minutes to complete for those over 18 years old. Leandro appreciates your participation! San Gabriel Judo Student Maddie Tamanaha featured on CHLA TV News Story Our Visit to LA Judo Club I’ve watched Justin Cho, 6th Dan and Henry Jeong, 5th Dan on their development of this dojo in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles for over a decade. My interest was sparked by having had two of the top Korean Judo competitors of all time; Kyu Ha Kim and later, Kiel Soon Park as my original Sensei. It’s good to see the success LA Judo Club is having. They have become a powerhouse at Nanka tournaments and most recently the Golden State Open. My good friend Joon Chi the Referee Member of USA Judo’s Board of Directors and I had the opportunity to visit LA Judo Club recently followed by dinner at a terrific Korean restaurant. Here are some photos from the visit… Calendar: May - 2023 27th Saturday – Olymp’s Tournament – North Hollywood, CA 27th Saturday - 7th Annual Nagase Cup Tournament , Piano, TX June - 2023 4th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA 16th Friday to 18th Sunday - USA Judo Junior Olympics , Shreveport, LA 25th Sunday - U.S. Adaptive Judo Championships , Riverside, CA July - 2023 16th Sunday - CA State Games , San Diego, CA August - 2023 6th Sunday - Nikkei Games Budo Tournament , Cypress, CA September - 2023 17th Sunday - Nevada State Judo Championship , Las Vegas, NV 24th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2023 1st Sunday - Capitol Open Judo Championships , Sacramento, CA 22nd Sunday - Fresno Invitational Tournament , Fresno, CA 29th Sunday - Fight for a Cure Women's Tournament & Clinic , Riverside, CA November - 2023 1st Wednesday to 3rd Friday - IJF World Veterans Championships , Abu Dhabi, UAE 5th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA 19th Sunday - Presidents Cup National Championships , Irving, TX December - 2023 8th Friday to 10th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA April - 2024 7th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA May - 2024 5th Sunday - Nanka West Coast Invitational , Westminster, CA June - 2024 28th Friday to 30th Sunday - USJF & USJA Summer Nationals , Tacoma. WA September - 2024 29th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2024 20th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA December - 2024 6th Friday to 8th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA I'm always looking for new subjects to write about regarding judo as well as contributions from my readers. Please send them to gary@garygoltz.com , thanks.

Rizal Zulmi knocks out Weerasak Phromsakha in 15 Seconds, Nearly Breaking BRAVE CF's Fastest KO Record In a stunning display of striking prowess, Indonesian standout Rizal Zulmi defeated Thai veteran Weerasak Phromsakha in a mere 15 seconds at BRAVE CF 76, held in Jakarta, Indonesia on November 25th, 2023. The victory not only marked Zulmi's impressive dominance but also brought him tantalizingly close to breaking the fastest knockout record in BRAVE CF history. From the opening bell, Zulmi wasted no time, charging forward with a powerful flying knee that sent Phromsakha crashing to the canvas. Zulmi seized the opportunity and unleashed a relentless barrage of punches, forcing the referee to stop the contest just 15 seconds into the first round. BRAVE CF 76, saw a 15 second KO!! This remarkable victory solidified Zulmi's reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the BRAVE CF featherweight division. His aggressive style and knockout power have made him a fan favorite, and his recent performance has only heightened expectations for his future. Zulmi's victory also came within striking distance of the fastest knockout record in BRAVE CF history, currently held by Swedish fighter Anton Turkalj, who achieved a 13-second knockout at BRAVE CF 50. While Zulmi fell just short of breaking the record, his 15-second finish remains an impressive feat and a testament to his exceptional skills. With his latest victory, Zulmi has firmly established himself as a top contender in the featherweight division. His knockout power, combined with his aggressive fighting style, makes him a dangerous opponent for any fighter. As he continues his journey in BRAVE CF, Zulmi is undoubtedly poised for even greater success. Watch the video here

Beneil Dariush, a seasoned mixed martial artist, has made a significant impact in the UFC since his debut in 2009 and his entry into the UFC in 2014. With a record of 22 victories, 4 losses, and 1 no-contest, he is known for his impressive streak of consecutive wins. Among his top victories in the UFC are: Beneil Dariush vs. Scott Holtzman : At UFC on ESPN+ 32, Dariush executed a stunning spinning back fist 4 minutes and 38 seconds into the first round, knocking out Holtzman. This finish is remembered as one of the most spectacular in UFC history. Beneil Dariush vs. Drakkar Klose : At UFC 248, Dariush showcased his striking skills by knocking out Klose in the second round, demonstrating his versatility beyond his reputed ground game. Beneil Dariush vs. Drew Dober : In this UFC on ESPN+ 4 bout, Dariush clinched a submission victory over Dober, highlighting his well-rounded fighting skills. Beneil Dariush vs. Frank Camacho : At UFC Singapore, Dariush secured a first-round submission victory over Camacho just over two minutes into the fight, underscoring his dominant performance. Beneil Dariush vs. Mateusz Gamrot : At UFC 280, Dariush added a significant win by securing a unanimous decision victory over Gamrot, a highly regarded lightweight contender​​. In addition to these remarkable victories, Dariush is scheduled to face Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC Fight Night on December 2, 2023. This event will take place at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, and is eagerly anticipated by MMA fans. The fight against Tsarukyan promises to be a significant moment in Dariush's career as he continues to solidify his position in the UFC lightweight division.

Walter Goncalves began his ONE Championship career with a three-round war with Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Proving he could hang with the best in the world, the Brazilian has been hopeful of returning to the title picture. His next attempt will come at ONE Fight Night 17 on Friday, December 8. The flyweight Muay Thai bout with Jacob Smith will also mark Goncalves’ return to Muay Thai. The Brazilian tried his hand at MMA in his last outing in July. While he still plans to compete in the sport, he remains positive after reflecting on his unanimous decision loss to Banma Duoji. “As it was my first MMA fight, it was an incredible feeling. There’s no way to describe it. I just know that I want to fight MMA more often, and I’m going to train a lot more for that. One day, I want to be an MMA World Champion,” Goncalves told ONE . “I don’t think anything went wrong [in the fight]. He was better than me that day because in MMA he is much more experienced than me. But that didn’t frustrate me at all. It just made me want to pursue my dream more.” “Iron Hands” may be hopeful of a future MMA career, but his focus now is solely on Muay Thai. Goncalves remains steadfast in his pursuit of his ultimate dream, a dream that is still the picture of his Thai rival holding the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship. “I want to achieve my goal of becoming a Muay Thai World Champion. I feel like it’s something that’s closest to me as it’s where I feel most confident and comfortable,” the Brazilian said. “I hope to be able to fulfill my dream of becoming a ONE Championship World Champion and then being able to buy a house for my family.” To make his first step back into the title picture, he must defeat the crafty Brit. Smith has his own three-round bout with Rodtang, and Goncalves was impressed by what the English star brings to the table. “I watched Jacob Smith’s fight against Rodtang, and I saw that he is a strong guy, that he moves forward all the time, that wherever he hits, he hurts his opponent, and that he also takes hits well,” Goncalves remarked. “I believe that his strong points are his kicks and punches.” However, for all the positives, Goncalves also sees holes in his opponent’s game. The Brazilian striker is adamant that the speed of this matchup could be the deciding factor if he can dictate the pace once the bell rings. “I think his weak point is his speed. I think he fights a lot standing still, and I’m faster than him. So, I think this could be a good path to explore in this fight. I believe it will be a good game for me,” Goncalves said. “In addition to my agility, I believe that the strength of my blows will make a difference in this fight in my favor.” “I’ll try to explore the gaps in his game. I don’t know how it will play out, but I really hope that I can get a knockout victory.” ONE Fight Night 17 airs live on Prime Video at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on Friday, December 8. The event is free for all Amazon Prime members based in the U.S. and Canada.

Old-School Martial Artists Offer Advice for All Who Plan to Train for Life! Part 1: Ernie Cates by Terry L. Wilson In the United States alone, millions of people practice the martial arts. Each discipline — there are several hundred around the world — comes with a specific skill set that requires regular reinforcement. Unfortunately, life can get in the way and prevent us from training as often as we want in pursuit of that reinforcement. One of the most common reasons we miss workouts is an injury incurred during training. This is readily apparent to anyone older than 40. Eventually, the human body pays a price for the concussions, tweaked joints and broken bones that often accumulate over time. Black Belt wanted to know how veteran martial artists deal with careers filled with such damage. More important, we wanted to know how they have adjusted their training and teaching to account for those impediments. To that end, we spoke with four respected masters. Take a Good Technique and Make It Better! Expert: Ernie Cates Arts: judo, jujitsu, neko-ryu Black Belt Archives: April 2008 issue When he was just 14 years old, Ernie Cates bowed in for the first time. Now 88, he’s still on the mat, passing on five decades’ worth of hard-earned knowledge to students of all ages. The style he teaches is neko-ryu jujitsu, a system of self-defense based on the way of the Cat. What has enabled Cates to continue to practice and teach is the way his style replaces power with a focus using simple and natural movements like those that felines use. To illustrate the logic of his path, Cates said that controlling an opponent using his art’s version of tai-sabaki saves a lot of wear and tear on the joints, muscles and knees — in stark contrast to styles that rely on brute force. “I don’t do pull-push systems anymore like I did when I was competing,” Cates said. “Everything in martial arts that works is a push. Pulling actions injure joints. If you depend on a pull to break your opponent’s balance, at the end of the pull, your opponent is against your body, forcing you to use more force to execute the throw.” He continued, referencing judo’s one-point back-carry throw: “In ippon seoi nage, if you turn as the leg comes around, by pushing, not pulling the opponent’s arm, you have directed the connecting limb into a pushing instrument, not a pulling instrument. Now your body is in perfect alignment; you aren’t separating anything or running the chance of a dislocation. This is the difference between how we used to train and how we train now in neko-ryu.” Cates is adamant about smart training because of the toll his early years took on him. As a national judo champion who won more than 300 matches, he found that his knees were the first to feel the effects of endless throws and breakfalls. “Both of my knees have been totally replaced,” Cates said. “My left one is stainless, and my right one is titanium. I’ve had 19 corrective surgeries, and I had those surgeries because I made mistakes. But from those mistakes, I eventually learned a safer and more effective way to control and drop my opponents. “A good coach or sensei will take what he or she has learned over the years and remove whatever it was that made that technique difficult by creating shortcuts, and that’s what we’ve accomplished with neko-ryu.” As an example, he noted how much effort is needed to set up the judo technique known as osoto gari: “First, you’re using power to pull your opponent in as you drive your leg past his. You do this a few thousand times, and it puts stress on the knee and elbow that may require surgery as you get older. “In neko-ryu, there is no pulling. You rest your hands on the opponent — don’t pull at all — and step in a semicircle [instead of driving your leg through] and then merely step behind the opponent. He will go down because his arm will provide all the leverage Take a Good Technique and Make It Better! needed for the throw. “Once you learn how to align your entire body into the push — regardless if it’s for a lock, a throw or mat work — it will increase your power a hundredfold. That’s how I take a good technique and make it better.” Inevitably, however, a time comes when the number of candles on a martial artist’s birthday cake reminds the ego that some things have to be given up so practice can continue. Fortunately, any worthy art will offer plenty of other things to allow the person to stay in the game. Often, that entails passing along acquired knowledge to the next generation. “I’m 88 years old,” Cates said. “Standing up, I can move well enough to explain tai-sabaki, breakfalls, centering and other techniques. I can’t do them, but I can still teach them!” To assist you in staying in fighting shape decades into your career, Black Belt Wellness & Performance Store has been intentionally curated by top experts in the field of medicine, health, and fitness along with key insights from former professional athletes and martial arts champions. Check it out here!

The UFC Fight Night held on December 2nd in Austin, Texas, was a night of electrifying battles and stunning surprises, particularly in the lightweight division. Headlined by the much-anticipated clash between Arman Tsarukyan and Beneil Dariush, the event delivered a series of memorable moments that left fans and analysts alike in awe. From breathtaking knockouts to tactical masterclasses, this fight night underscored the unpredictable and thrilling nature of mixed martial arts. Here's a detailed breakdown of the main card fights, including the show-stopping performances in both the main and co-main events. Main Event: Arman Tsarukyan vs Beneil Dariush In a lightning-fast showcase of skill, Arman Tsarukyan emerged victorious over Beneil Dariush with a jaw-dropping knockout at just 1:04 minutes into the first round. This stunning outcome at the UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas, has sent ripples through the lightweight division. Tsarukyan's precision and power were on full display, marking him as a formidable force in the UFC. Co-Main Event: Jalin Turner vs Bobby Green The co-main event mirrored the intensity of the night with Jalin Turner securing a knockout against Bobby Green at 2:49 minutes of the opening round. Turner's explosive performance further cemented his reputation as a rising star in the lightweight division. Main Card Highlights Deiveson Figueiredo vs Rob Font : In a battle of technique and endurance, Deiveson Figueiredo claimed victory over Rob Font via unanimous decision. This fight showcased Figueiredo's strategic prowess and resilience in the octagon. Sean Brady vs Kelvin Gastelum : Sean Brady's grappling skills were on full display as he subdued Kelvin Gastelum with a kimura at 1:43 minutes of the third round. This win solidifies Brady's standing as a serious contender in the welterweight division. Joaquim Silva vs Clay Guida : Silva's tactical approach earned him a unanimous decision win over the veteran Clay Guida. This match was a testament to Silva's evolving skill set and determination. Dustin Stoltzfus vs Punahele Soriano : In a gripping middleweight bout, Dustin Stoltzfus triumphed over Punahele Soriano with a rear-naked choke at 4:10 minutes of the second round, demonstrating his grappling expertise. Preliminary Card Standouts Miesha Tate vs Julia Avila : Miesha Tate showcased her veteran skills, defeating Julia Avila with a rear-naked choke in the third round. Cody Brundage vs Zach Reese : Cody Brundage delivered an impressive first-round knockout against Zach Reese, proving his striking power. Drakkar Klose vs Joe Solecki : Klose earned a swift victory with a knockout over Solecki early in the first round. Rodolfo Bellato vs Ihor Potieria : Bellato's striking prowess was evident in his second-round knockout win against Potieria. Jared Gooden vs Wellington Turman : Gooden secured a win with a rear-naked choke against Turman, demonstrating his submission skills. Veronica Hardy vs Jamey-Lyn Horth : In a closely contested bout, Hardy emerged victorious with a split decision over Horth. Looking Ahead: UFC Fight Night - Song vs Gutierrez As the dust settles on the exhilarating UFC Fight Night in Austin, attention now turns to the upcoming event on December 9, 2023, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. This event, headlined by Song vs Gutierrez, promises to keep the momentum going with another lineup of exciting matchups. Fans and fighters alike are eagerly anticipating what's next in the world of UFC.

BRAVE Combat Federation’s Super Welterweight champion Marcin Bandel has wasted no time making an impact in the most global MMA promotion.Since his debut fight, the Pole has produced performances of such a high standard that he earned his way to BRAVE CF gold in just three fights - one of the fastest routes to a BRAVE CF Championship. His opening fight at BRAVE CF 54 saw him make a huge statement - living up to his stage name “Bomba” with an explosive performance against Switzerland’s Magomed Ayskhanov, whom he submitted by rear-naked choke within two minutes of the first round. Impressing the BRAVE CF matchmakers, Bandel was given a more challenging task and thrown in at the deeper end against the Brazilian veteran Luis Felipe Dias. But the former GMC Middleweight Champion reiterated his dominance within the 175-pound division, proving that a new BRAVE CF star and potential future champion was on the rise after he dominated the experienced Diaz over three rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory at BRAVE CF 58. Backed by his motherland and beloved fans, Bandel was hungry to continue flying Poland’s flag in the most global MMA promotion, as he was now 2-0 in BRAVE CF. With 21 wins, a jiu-jitsu black belt under ADCC Open-Weight champion Robert Drysdale, and 18 submissions to his name, Bandel was now officially the new threat in the division. But another rising star was quickly making his mark as the “Austrian Wonderboy” Ismail Naurdiev had plans to secure the title. Bandel and Naurdiev were matched up for the vacant BRAVE CF Super Welterweight title. With Naurdiev being the showman that he is, loved by thousands of BRAVE Nation fans, he was naturally dubbed the favorite. It was a spectacular main event for an incredible show as the two stars headlined Kombat Kingdom’s BRAVE CF 63 show in Bahrain. Bandel proved just too much for his opponent as he knocked down Naurdiev before dominating him on the grappling side, silencing the “Austrian Wonderboy" fans with a frightening armbar early in the first round, securing yet another scalp on his long list of submission wins. It was official, Poland had secured a BRAVE CF Super Welterweight champion, and the nation celebrated their new hero with a beautiful homecoming. Soon after, Bandel was honored in his home country, receiving the 2022 Herakles Submission of the Year Award following his incredible submission win over the world-renowned Naurdiev. The prestigious Herakles - regarded as the “Oscar” of Polish MMA awards - is the highest honor a Polish combat sports athlete can receive from the National Sporting Council. The ceremony - which took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Warsaw - consists of different categories and honored a who's who of the mixed martial arts scene in Poland, including the likes of Jan Blachowicz, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Mateusz Gamrot. It was not the only recognition Bandel received as his emphatic win also earned him a Submission of the Year nomination at the 2022 BRAVE CF Awards. Bandel now had the world at his feet, and everybody had started to pay attention to the man. Eight months later, the dangerous unbeaten Russian in Kamal Magomedov desperately wanted what Bandel had and looked to secure BRAVE CF gold in the same period as the Pole. Magomedov had entered BRAVE CF on an eight-fight win streak and secured two convincing wins over Vitaly Tverdokhlebov and Olli Santalahti at BRAVE CF 55 and 63, respectively. Magomedov had proven himself a worthy adversary and was then lined up to compete for Bandel’s throne. The two gladiators were set to meet in BRAVE CF’s return to the Kingdom of Bahrain this year at BRAVE CF 71 in what would have been Bandel’s first title defense, however, the fight fell through due to unforeseen circumstances. With that said, a new meet is in the works between these two elite athletes, and BRAVE Nations fans could potentially find out who the real king of the division is before the end of this year.

"Puas" faces off with Colombian Knockout artist Sebastian "Pitbull" Piedrahita in the 5 bout Main Card. This Event will be the first of the 4 Combate Global Live Fight cards taking place in December 2023 Combate Global Pre Show begins at 8 PM ET this Saturday, Dec 2, 2023 COMBATE GLOBAL today announced the return of Mexican lightweight (155 pounds) superstar, Cristian “Puas” Perez (12-1), who will square off with Colombian finisher Sebastian “Pitbull” Piedrahita , in the main event of a stacked, five-bout Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card in Miami on Saturday, Dec. 2, live on Paramount+. The live Paramount+ stream of COMBATE GLOBAL’s event will begin with a 30-minute pre-show, hosted by Jimmy Smith and Rodolfo Roman at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT, and will continue with the first preliminary card bout at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. The event will be the first of four COMBATE GLOBAL live fight cards that will take place in December to close out what has been the Hispanic-focused MMA organization’s best year to date. Recently re-signed to a new, exclusive, multi-fight promotional agreement with COMBATE GLOBAL, the 24-year-old Puas of Mexicali, B.C. will is seeking his fifth consecutive victory after obliterating former world champion Bruno “Aquiles” Cannetti in the first round (1:26) of battle with a barrage of punches on June 18. To date, Puas, who made his professional debut under the promotion of COMBATE GLOBAL as a 20-year-old in 2019 and who has been competing for the Hispanic-focused promotion since then, has notched 75 percent of his professional career wins by way of (T)KO or submission. The 31-year-old Piedrahita of Medellin holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and, to date, has earned a spectacular 91 percent of his wins via (T)KO or submission. Piedrahita, a newcomer to the ranks of COMBATE GLOBAL, secured his career-best victory, thus far, in his last effort by scoring a fourth round (:15) TKO (strikes) on Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Alexander “Rolo” Torres on July 8. In a featured women’s atomweight (105 pounds) contest, Ana “La Guerrera” Palacios (7-2-1) will collide with undefeated Anastasia Nikolakakos (4-0). Hailing from Mexico City, Mexico where she trains with one of her country’s finest MMA teams, Bonebreakers, the 25-year-old Palacios, has earned 70 percent of her wins via (T)KO or submission and is regarded as one of the best 105-pound competitors in the world. Palacios is looking to rebound from a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Japan’s Chihiro Sawada on May 13. Prior to the loss, Palacios was in the midst of a five-fight win streak and had only sustained one career defeat while fighting above her weight class. Nikolakakos is a 34-year-old resident of Toronto, Canada and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, making her COMBATE GLOBAL promotional debut. Prior to turning professional in 2017, Nikolakakos was unbeaten (3-0) as an amateur competitor. In a second featured fight on the card, flyweight (125 pounds) sensation Ernesto “The Stallion” Ibarra (8-1) will collide with knockout artist Javier Valdebenito (5-3) at the 125-pound limit. The 27-year-old Ibarra of Ensenada, B.C., Mexico is riding a three-fight win streak after defeating Martin Davila in La Jaula on April 28. Ibarra is a member of Team Blacxicans that has produced the likes of Puas and undefeated, fellow COMBATE GLOBAL athlete, Ramiro “El Cachanilla” Jimenez. At just 20 years of age, Valdebenito has already put eight professional fights under his belt after a busy 2022 in which he competed six times. A member of Team Jaula Bahamondes, the native camp of MMA star and COMBATE GLOBAL veteran Ignacio “Nacho” Bahamondes, Valdebenito has earned 80 percent of his career wins by way of (T)KO. In preliminary bout action, a second women’s atomweight affair will see Kayla “Kayrock” Hracho (5-4) of Coconut Creek, Fla. face off with Andrea “Kali” Meneses (5-1) of Gava, Spain. Leading off the undercard will be a lightweight clash between unbeaten Michel Martinez (2-0) of Tudela, Spain and Carlo “El Bambino” Ricci (3-2) of Caracas, Venezuela. The three-bout main card will also air on UNIVISION at 12 a.m. ET (9 p.m. PT). Additional information about COMBATE GLOBAL and its athletes can be found on www.CombateGlobal.com as well as on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and YouTube . Here is the FULL Fight Card for Combate Global on Dec 2, 2023 Sebastian "Pitbull" Piedranhita vs. Cristian "Puas" Perez [Main Event] Anastasia Nikolakakos vs. Ana "La Guerrera" Palacios [Co-Main Event] Andrea "Kali" Meneses vs. Kayla "Kayrock" Hracho Carlo "El Bambino" Ricci vs. Michel Martinez Katie "Maquina Asesina" Perez vs. Janet Garcia Featured Bout: Javier "El Pantera" Valdebenito vs. Ernesto "The Stallion" Ibarra

Last week, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) wrapped up another memorable season with their 2023 PFL World Championship event. Dubbed as “MMA’s Richest Night”, the league’s finale for the 2023 PFL Season saw six world championships crowned, and as many million-dollar purses awarded. The stacked card also saw the return of homegrown PFL stars such as Kayla Harrison and Ray Cooper III, as well as the debut of Derek Brunson. While the World Championship event was indeed a major highlight for the year, perhaps the bigger story came earlier that week, when the PFL announced that they had finally acquired Bellator MMA, a once-rival promotion that was founded in 2008, and has produced some of the biggest names in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). With the acquisition, the PFL says that they have created a ‘global MMA powerhouse’ and it’s hard to disagree. Now, the PFL also owns Bellator’s roster of fighters, which includes multiple globally-ranked competitors and world champions. Here’s a quick look at Bellator’s titleholders: Ryan Bader (Heavyweight) Vadim Nemkov (Light heavyweight) Johnny Eblen (Middleweight) Jason Jackson (Welterweight) Usman Nurmagomedov (Lightweight) Patricio “Pitbull” Friere (Featherweight) Patchy Mix (Bantamweight) Cris “Cyborg” Justino (Women’s featherweight) Liz Carmouche (Women’s flyweight). While the champions already make up an impressive list, Bellator’s roster also features the likes of Sergio Pettis, AJ McKee, Raufeon Stots, Ilima Lei-MacFarlane, Aaron Pico, Logan Storley, and more. These names are without a doubt amazing additions to the PFL’s roster, and also sets up the possibility of a number of fights that fans have been wanting to see for a long time. Here are some of the fights that fans can watch out for in the PFL in 2024: PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions Fight fans love to fantasy-book cross-promotional champion-versus-champion matches. With the PFL acquiring Bellator, these fights no longer need to be fantasy affairs. “We can’t wait to bring MMA fans what they have been asking for - best vs best with the PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions Mega-Event,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray in the official release, which means that this has indeed something in the works and will likely take place in 2024. Following the 2023 PFL World Championship event, here’s how the champion-versus-champion card could look like: Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader Impa Kasanganay vs. Vadim Nemkov Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Jason Jackson Jesus Pinedo vs. Patricio Pitbull Larissa Pacheco vs. Cris Cyborg. While the PFL doesn’t have a middleweight champion, a matchup between Derek Brunson and Bellator’s 185-pound champion Johnny Eblen could make for an intriguing fight to go along with the champ-versus-champ bouts. Biaggio Ali Walsh’s First Professional Bout Since joining the PFL, Biaggio Ali Walsh has been easily the biggest name in amateur MMA. The grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Ali Walsh has made quite the name for himself by picking up five straight knockout wins inside the PFL SmartCage, with the most recent coming against Joel Lopez at the 2023 PFL World Championship card. Before his fight against Lopez, Ali Walsh already teased the possibility of jumping to the pro ranks with a win. Whether he finally pulls the trigger remains to be seen. Francis Ngannou vs. Either of the Heavyweight Champions Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was arguably the biggest single signing that the PFL was able to pull off this year. The Cameroonian knockout artist is expected to compete in the PFL’s PPV Superfight Division, and the two heavyweight kings in the company could be intriguing matchups for “The Predator’s” first foray into the PFL SmartCage. Ngannou versus Ferreira would be an absolute barnburner, with two of the sport’s most feared strikers going head to head. Ngannou versus Bader, meanwhile, would be a classic matchup of styles, and should be an interesting fight to see for fans. Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz The PFL’s other massive signing for 2023 was none other than social media star-turned boxer Jake Paul. Paul signed with the PFL in early 2023, and is expected to make his MMA inside the SmartCage. Like Ngannou, Paul will compete in the league’s PPV Superfight Division, and he has continuously called out former UFC star Nate Diaz. Paul and Diaz have already crossed paths, duking it out inside the boxing ring, with the former winning by unanimous decision. “The Problem Child” wasted little time in offering Diaz a rematch, but this time inside the PFL SmartCage. As of writing, Diaz has yet to entertain the offer, but it could be something that comes to fruition in 2024. Kayla Harrison vs. Cris Cyborg It goes without saying that this would be the biggest match to book following the PFL-Bellator union. Harrison and Cyborg have been at odds with each other for years, and it seemed like the two were finally on a collision course when Harrison entered free agency a couple of years back. Ultimately, Harrison decided to remain with the PFL and Cyborg remained with Bellator. Now, the two are in the same company and it’s only a matter of time before we finally see two of the most dominant women in MMA share the SmartCage.