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| (Image Source: FightBookMMA.com/BRAVE Combat Federation) |
Slovenia hosted one of the biggest mixed martial arts (MMA) events in Europe last September 28, 2024 as BRAVE Combat Federation presented BRAVE CF 88. In association with Slovenia’s top MMA promotion WFC, the event became a major milestone in European MMA and marked a new chapter in its history books with two new world champions crowned. Bosnia’s Erko Jun secured the vacant Light Heavyweight World title by stopping Germany’s Alexander Wesner in the main event while Lithuanian heavyweight Pavel Dailidko claimed the inaugural BRAVE CF Heavyweight title by defeating Patryk Dubiela in the first round of the co-main event.
In the main event, Jun controlled the first round by landing multiple kicks to Wesner’s lead leg, slowing down his opponent. A cut opened on Jun’s head during a second-round scramble, leading to the fight going to the ground, where it stayed until the round ended. In the third round, Jun pushed for a finish, dropping Wesner midway through, but was unable to secure the finish. However, in the fourth round, Jun’s earlier leg kicks proved decisive as he finished Wesner with a low leg kick to become the new Light Heavyweight champion. In the co-main event, Dubiela attempted to use his grappling skills, but Dailidko defended successfully and landed powerful ground-and-pound strikes, leading to a first-round stoppage. Dailidko’s victory, which is his fifth consecutive finish in BRAVE CF, earned him a place in the history books as the first-ever BRAVE CF Heavyweight champion, realizing his dreams throughout his MMA career. In addition to these championship bouts, the fight card featured top MMA talent from around the world including a thrilling match between Monika Kučinič and Fabiola Pidroni which was hailed as a Fight of the Year contender.
The card also showcased Slovenia’s best MMA athletes including Kirill Negru, Luka Podkrajšek, and Miha Frlic and with a sold-out arena, BRAVE CF 88 recorded the highest gate revenue in Slovenian MMA, building on the success of BRAVE CF 81 earlier this year. The event further strengthened Slovenia’s position as a premier destination for MMA fans in the region. The event was the first in Slovenian MMA history to be covered by Kanal A, the country’s iconic TV station and it was also broadcast globally through BRAVE CF’s partners such as DAZN, CAZE TV, and Jio TV, reaching millions of viewers worldwide; making it the largest broadcasting in Slovenian MMA history. BRAVE will next head to Spain for BRAVE CF 89 on October 19th, continuing its mission to grow MMA across Europe.
BRAVE CF 88 Results:
• Light Heavyweight: Erko Jun def. Alexander Wesner via TKO (leg kicks) – 1m27s – Round 4
• Heavyweight: Pavel Dailidko def. Patryk Dubiela via TKO (punches) – 4m33s – Round 1
• Strawweight: Monika Kucinic def. Fabiola Pidroni via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Heavyweight: Luka Podkrajsek def. Michele Mirabella via TKO (punches) – 3m24s – Round 1
• Heavyweight: Miha Frlic def. Samuele Di Guardo via TKO (punches) – 37s – Round 1
• Super Lightweight: Kristjan Toniste def. Domen Drnovsek via unanimous decision (3x 30-27)
• Strawweight: Marina Spasič def. Maristela Alves via TKO (punches) – 2m11s – Round 3
• Amateur Welterweight: Kirill Negru def. Ilian Sinani via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
