Brave CF 97 in Burgas highlights promotion’s European ambitions
Brave Combat Federation ventured to Bulgaria on 26 Aug 2025 for Brave CF 97, marking the promotion’s first event in the Balkan nation and a clear statement of its European ambitions. The card at Burgas Arena featured local talent alongside international names and delivered a mix of drama and controversy that will resonate long after the final bell.
In the main event, Bulgarian light heavyweight Kaloyan Kolev battled Algerian veteran Mohamed Said Maalem to a majority draw after three back‑and‑forth rounds. Kolev looked to press the action with takedowns and ground control while Maalem landed the cleaner boxing combinations on the feet. Two judges saw the fight even, while a third awarded it to Kolev. The result left both men frustrated, but fans were treated to a spirited showcase of heart and endurance.
The card’s standout performance belonged to Georgian featherweight Lasha Abramishvili, who latched onto Brice Picaud’s back in round 2 and secured a rear‑naked choke with 2:50 elapsed. The submission win moved Abramishvili to 14–2 and likely earned him a future title shot. Bulgarian middleweight Plamen Penchev ignited the crowd by knocking out Frenchman Sofiane Bouafia in just 54 seconds, blasting him with an overhand right that sent the visitor crashing to the canvas. The emphatic finish announced Penchev as a contender and underscored the danger of taking fights behind enemy lines.
Elsewhere on the card, Scottish striker Gerard Burns scored a decision over Moroccan kickboxer Sabri Fouadi, and national wrestling champion Anton Yanchev dominated Loic Nyamuhinga with top control en route to a unanimous decision. Undefeated Russian prospect Murad Guseinov rag‑dolled Don Asparuhov and tapped him with a keylock in round 1. Bantamweight standout Deyan Galinov worked past a rough start to stop Jerry Kallimanis with ground‑and‑pound, while Mim Grubb edged Ivan Khakhutashvili by decision. The event closed with quick finishes by Viktor Grigorov, Blagoy Lachev and Delian Alishahi on the prelims, sending the fans home happy.
Brave CF’s decision to host an event in Bulgaria highlights its strategy of expanding across Europe, a region rich with combat sports heritage yet underserved by major promotions. The mix of local heroes and international prospects at Brave CF 97 created a festival atmosphere and demonstrated that Bulgaria can support high‑level MMA. With rumours of future shows in Romania and Greece, Brave may soon become a major player in Europe’s non‑UFC scene.
