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Tag: BRAVE CF

  • “It was now or never for me: Filipino MMA star Stephen Loman ready to revive career after three-year layoff

    “It was now or never for me: Filipino MMA star Stephen Loman ready to revive career after three-year layoff

    Stephen Loman is determined to revive his career as he prepares to make his long-awaited return to MMA competition at BRAVE CF 108 on September 5 at the historic Pula Arena in Croatia.

     

    The former BRAVE Combat Federation bantamweight world champion will co-headline the event against Georgia’s Lasha Abramishvili in a three-round bantamweight showdown, marking Loman’s first fight in nearly three years.

     

    Loman has established himself as one of the Philippines’ most accomplished MMA fighters, making a name for himself in both BRAVE CF and ONE Championship. However, his career has been put on hold since his last appearance in September 2023, leaving the 31-year-old eager to make his comeback count.

     

     

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    “It was the most uncertain phase of my career. There were times when I did not know when I would fight again. I hope I never have to go through something like that again. Waiting is difficult. You are training and ready, but you still do not know when you will get your chance. That was really hard for me,” Loman said in a media interaction.


    The long layoff makes his return even more challenging, particularly with Abramishvili entering the matchup on a torrid eight-fight winning streak.


    The Georgian has finished six of those eight victories by stoppage and has already recorded three wins under the BRAVE CF banner, compiling a 2-1 record in the promotion. Loman, however, knows that he could not afford to be selective after spending years waiting for another opportunity to compete.


    “It was now or never for me. I had already waited long enough, and I knew I could not keep waiting. Time is no longer on my side. I know being inactive is not good for a fighter. But I do not want to keep looking back at what happened during those three years. I have this chance now, and I want to enjoy it and make the most of it,” he said.


    The upcoming fight will also mark a new chapter for Loman outside the cage. The Baguio native now represents Lions Nations MMA, a stable founded by former Team Lakay members and longtime teammates Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Honorio Banario, and Joshua Pacio.


    While the name of his team has changed, Loman remains surrounded by familiar faces who have been part of his journey throughout his career.


    “It’s a new team, but my training partners are still the same. We also have new concepts that can help me improve. I am confident with the people around me,” Loman said.


    Loman’s familiarity with his training partners and the addition of new ideas to his preparation have given him confidence heading into what could be one of the most important fights of his career.


    The former BRAVE CF bantamweight champion is also motivated by the possibility of returning to the top of the division. Having previously captured the promotion’s bantamweight world title, Loman is hoping another successful run can eventually lead him back to championship contention.


    But before thinking about another title opportunity, Loman knows he must first get past Abramishvili.


    “This is a must-win fight for me. I need this victory to change the direction of my career. I want to revive it, and I know I have to start with this fight,” he said.


    A victory at BRAVE CF 108 would give Loman an important statement win in his return while potentially putting him back on the radar of the promotion’s title picture.


    After nearly three years away from competition, Loman now has an opportunity to begin writing the next chapter of his career. A strong performance in Croatia could not only mark the successful start of his comeback but also put the Filipino veteran on the path toward another run at the BRAVE CF bantamweight championship.


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  • Filipino MMA star Stephen Loman returns to BRAVE CF eyeing bantamweight title shot

    Filipino MMA star Stephen Loman returns to BRAVE CF eyeing bantamweight title shot

    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.

    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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  • Stephen Loman set for BRAVE CF comeback, targets another championship run 

    Stephen Loman set for BRAVE CF comeback, targets another championship run 

    The Filipino MMA standout and former BRAVE CF bantamweight world champion, Stephen Loman is set to make his long-awaited return after being added to the BRAVE CF 108 card, where he will face No. 2-ranked contender Lasha Abramishvili in a crucial bantamweight showdown.


    The bout is scheduled for September 5 at the historic Pula Arena in Croatia, marking the beginning of what Loman hopes will be another run toward the championship title.

     

    For Loman, the return carries personal significance after the promotion played a major role in shaping his international career.

     

    “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, and I’m grateful that my return is happening in BRAVE CF,” said Loman.

     

    Since making his BRAVE CF debut at the promotion’s inaugural event in September 2016, Loman has remained one of its most successful fighters. He owns a perfect 6-0 record inside the BRAVE CF cage, while holding an overall professional record of 17-3, with six victories by knockout and two by submission.

     

    The Filipino fighter believes returning to familiar ground gives him the perfect opportunity to chase another championship chapter.

     

    “This organization gave me the platform to showcase my abilities to fans across the world and helped shape my career. Coming back here means everything to me, and this fight in Croatia is the first step toward reclaiming the BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Title,” he added.

     

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    At BRAVE CF 9: The Kingdom of Champions in November 2017, he defeated Gurdarshan “Saint Lion” Mangat by first-round stoppage to become the organization’s inaugural bantamweight world champion.

     

    His reign lasted 1,179 days, highlighted by four successful title defenses that established him as one of the division’s dominant forces.

     

    Among the defining moments of his championship run was his fourth-round knockout victory over former featherweight world champion Elias “Smile” Boudegzdame in March 2019 at the Mall of Asia Arena, where he delivered a memorable performance in front of Filipino fans.

     

    Now representing Lions Nation MMA, Loman returns to BRAVE CF with the same mentality that carried him to the top.

     

    Standing in his way is Abramishvili, a rising contender who has built his own reputation as one of the division’s toughest challenges.

     

    The Georgian enters BRAVE CF 108 with a 12-2-1 professional record and an impressive 4-0 mark in BRAVE CF competition. Three of those promotional victories have come by stoppage, showcasing his finishing ability and making him a dangerous opponent for Loman’s comeback fight.

     

    With a former champion looking to revive his reign and a hungry contender aiming to break into title contention, the bantamweight clash in Croatia carries major implications for the future of the division.

     

    For Loman, BRAVE CF 108 is more than a return—it is the opening step in his pursuit of another championship legacy.

     

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  • Filipino MMA star Drex Zamboanga ready for BRAVE CF debut after injury layoff

    Filipino MMA star Drex Zamboanga ready for BRAVE CF debut after injury layoff

    Filipino Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) standout Drex “T-Rex” Zamboanga is finally set to make his long-awaited debut for BRAVE Combat Federation, more than a year after signing a multi-bout contract with the Bahrain-based promotion. His arrival has been anticipated by fans and analysts alike, as Zamboanga is considered one of the most accomplished MMA fighters to emerge from the Philippines in recent years.

     

    Zamboanga initially inked his deal in 2025 and was scheduled to compete in May of that year against Ramazan Gitinow in a lightweight bout. However, just a week out from the matchup, the 32-year-old was forced to withdraw after suffering a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury that required immediate medical attention.

     

    The setback not only postponed his BRAVE CF debut but also pushed the Filipino fighter into a lengthy recovery process. Zamboanga underwent months of intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation, focusing on strengthening the affected knee and rebuilding stability. The journey back was demanding, but the veteran competitor stayed disciplined and patient throughout the process.

     

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    Now medically cleared and back to full-contact training, Zamboanga says he is more motivated than ever to step into the BRAVE CF cage and resume his career at the highest level.

    “I have been away long enough, and I am hungry to compete again. I signed with BRAVE CF to fight, and I want to maximize this contract. My body feels great now. The rehab was tough, but it worked. I am healthy, I am training at full intensity again, and I am starting to feel my groove come back every day,” Zamboanga said in a media interaction.

     

    Before joining BRAVE CF, Zamboanga built a formidable résumé in the Philippines’ premier MMA organization, the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC). Known for his explosive striking and relentless pressure, he captured the vacant bantamweight championship in 2017 by finishing countryman Rex De Lara via technical knockout. He cemented his status as one of URCC’s elite fighters two years later, successfully defending the title with a doctor’s stoppage victory against South Korea’s Seung Hyun Cho.

     

    With a professional record of 14 wins and 6 losses, including 11 finishes, Zamboanga has earned a reputation as a dynamic and dangerous competitor capable of ending fights in multiple ways. His new chapter in BRAVE CF represents not only an opportunity to compete internationally but also a chance to re-establish his presence in the global MMA scene.

     

    “This feels like a fresh start for me. I want to stay active, perform well, and rebuild momentum in 2026. BRAVE CF gives me the chance to reset, to prove myself again, and to rekindle my career in 2026. I believe my best performances are still ahead of me,” he added.

     

    With renewed health, a rejuvenated mindset, and an organization eager to showcase his talents, Zamboanga’s long-delayed debut is shaping up to be one of the most compelling storylines for Philippine MMA in 2026. As he prepares to finally enter the BRAVE CF cage, expectations are high that the fighter known as “T-Rex” will once again roar back into contention and remind the world why he has long been considered one of the Philippines’ top MMA athletes.

     

     

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  • Stephen Loman ready for 2026 comeback after re-signing with BRAVE CF

    Stephen Loman ready for 2026 comeback after re-signing with BRAVE CF

    Stephen Loman has firmly established himself as one of the Philippines’ top Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters, earning recognition in both ONE Championship and the BRAVE Combat Federation.

     

    The 26-year-old fighter, who first rose to prominence with BRAVE CF, closed out 2025 on a high note by re-signing with the organization where he made his name. The return has Loman eager to get back to the sport he loves.

     

    “I am truly excited for 2026 because it guarantees that I will finally be back doing what I love. This opportunity gives me something to look forward to every single day,” Loman said in a media interaction.

     

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    Loman’s 2025 ended even more memorably on a personal front, as he married longtime partner Sheryl in an intimate ceremony in Baguio City on December 20. A honeymoon will have to wait, however, as Loman immediately returned to training at the Landslide Martial Arts Training Center to focus on his career.

    “I am thankful that I got to end 2025 on such a hopeful note. After everything I went through, this feels like a blessing I will always cherish. My wife understands the demands of my career, and I am grateful for her support. She has been very patient and encouraging, and that means everything to me,” he added.

     

    Loman also holds the distinction of being the first Filipino fighter to win a world championship title in BRAVE CF and is the longest-reigning bantamweight world champion in the promotion’s history.

     

    Looking ahead, Loman is determined to reclaim his position at the top of the bantamweight division and prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

     

    “I am so eager to maximize every opportunity in 2026. I am ready to work, to compete, and to show that I still belong at the top,” he concluded.

     

    With his focus, determination, and a renewed contract with BRAVE CF, 2026 promises to be a defining year for Stephen Loman. Fans can expect a fighter at the peak of his skills, ready to reclaim his throne and continue building his legacy as one of the Philippines’ MMA greats.

     

     

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