Stephen Loman has firmly established himself as one of the Philippines’ premier mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters, building a reputation as a dominant bantamweight contender through successful runs in both ONE Championship and BRAVE Combat Federation.
The 27-year-old Filipino star is now set to begin a new chapter in his career after returning to BRAVE CF, the promotion where he first made a name for himself on the international stage. After ending 2025 by re-signing with the organization, Loman is preparing for his first bout since his return, facing Georgia’s Lasha Abramishvili in a three-round bantamweight showdown at BRAVE CF 108 on September 5 at the historic Pula Arena in Croatia.
The matchup carries significant implications for the division, with the vacant BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Championship potentially awaiting the winner. Former champion Nikolic recently vacated the title after securing an opportunity to continue his career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), opening the door for a new contender to emerge.
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While BRAVE CF has yet to officially confirm whether the vacant bantamweight championship will be at stake at BRAVE CF 108, Loman believes a victory over Abramishvili should position him as the leading candidate for the title opportunity.
“With the championship vacant, I believe the winner of this fight should be next in line. Beating an opponent like Lasha should leave no doubt about who deserves that opportunity,” Loman said in a media interaction.
Stephen Loman sees a much clearer path back to the top after Borislav Nikolić relinquished the BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Championship following his move to the UFC.
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For Loman, however, the possibility of fighting for the belt is only part of a larger goal. The Baguio native made it clear that his motivation for returning to BRAVE CF is to reclaim championship glory and once again establish himself as the best bantamweight fighter in the promotion.
“I came back to BRAVE CF because I want to be champion again. That is the goal. I want to prove I still belong at the top and earn the chance to fight for the belt once more,” he said.
Loman returns to competition after spending more than two years away from active fighting while seeking his release from ONE Championship. Despite the lengthy layoff, the Filipino contender remains confident that he has maintained the discipline and preparation required to compete at the highest level.
He believes his experience, championship pedigree, and familiarity with elite competition will give him an advantage against Abramishvili.
“I respect Lasha because he has earned his place, but I also know what I bring into this fight. I have stayed disciplined, I have never stopped preparing, and I believe my experience will make the difference. I am ready to win,” Loman said.
The Filipino fighter also reflected on his previous championship reign, emphasizing that he never lost the title inside the cage and is determined to earn another opportunity to hold championship gold.
“I never lost that championship in a fight. I had to give up because I moved on. Now, I have the chance to win it back, and I will do everything it takes to make sure it is around my waist again,” Loman added.
With a potential title shot on the line, Loman’s return at BRAVE CF 108 represents a major moment in his career. A victory in Croatia would not only mark a successful comeback but could also place the Filipino star one step closer to reclaiming the championship that helped define his rise in international MMA.
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