REIGNING Brave Combat Federation (CF) bantamweight world champion Stephen Loman is all fired up for his first title defense in the country.
Loman finally gets to showcase his skills later this month as he takes on challenger and former Brave featherweight champ Elias Boudegzdame.
Coach Mark Sangiao remains optimistic Loman will be able to perform even under pressure in front of an expected mammoth Filipino crowd next week at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“We cannot see pressure on him. But I see in his eyes the determination. His ready to defend his title,” added Sangiao.
Leading to his third title defense, Loman was named the fighter of the year by Brave CF.
The bantamweight king became the first champ to defend his crown twice in a row with dominant wins over Frans Mlambo and Felipe Efrain, after capturing the title in late 2017.
In a fan vote throughout Brave’s social media accounts, Loman took the crown over lightweight champion Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady, welterweight titleholder Jarrah Al-Selawe, middleweight contender Ikram Aliskerov and featherweight star Jeremy Kennedy.
Four other Team Lakay fighters will see action in the Bahrain-based promotion’s inaugural Manila fight-card, dubbed Brave 22: Storm of Warriors, which takes place on March 15 at the more than 20,000-seater MOA Arena.
Jeremy Pacatiw, with a win loss record of 5-3, returns to the cage again eyeing his third straight win as he takes on fellow Filipino fighter Marc Alcoba (5-1) who is on a four fight win streak.
Harold Banario (4-1) finally makes his Brave CF debut who was initially scheduled to take on Gamzat Magomedov will take on replacement fighter Ariel Oliveros.
Another Team Lakay making his way in Brave’s Manila card is John Cris Corton (5-3) looking for a follow – up win against Abdul Hussein.
Jomar Pa-ac completes the Team Lakay cast as he seeks to get back to the winning circle when he takes on Sataya Behuria.
“The boys are excited, no pressure. Hopefully the training we had will yield good result,” adds Sangiao.
Other notable Filipinos fighting in Brave’s first Philippine event is former UFC fighter Rolando Dy who will take on Mehmosh Raza with Rex de Lara and Jayson Margallo facing each other in a flyweight clash.