Battle for Bantamweight Gold: Hwende vs. Nikolic Set for BRAVE CF Slovenia
TDT | Manama
The stage is set for a thrilling night of MMA action as BRAVE Combat Federation makes its highly anticipated return to Slovenia on June 7, 2025. In a blockbuster co-main event, reigning Bantamweight World Champion Nicholas Hwende will put his title on the line against surging Serbian contender Borislav Nikolic in what promises to be an explosive showdown.
Hwende's Redemption Arc Leads to Championship Glory
Nicholas Hwende's journey to the top has been nothing short of inspiring. The Zimbabwean warrior dethroned Nkosi Ndebele at BRAVE CF 91, capturing the Bantamweight title after a relentless pursuit of gold. Now, he faces the challenge of his first title defense, carrying the momentum of a three-fight winning streak.
Hwende's BRAVE CF debut in 2023 was met with adversity when he suffered his first professional loss to Velimurad Alkhasov at BRAVE CF 71. But true champions rise from setbacks, and Hwende did just that—rebounding with three consecutive victories, including his championship triumph, to establish himself as the king of the division.
Nikolic's Knockout Power Looms Large
Standing in his way is Borislav Nikolic, a relentless finisher on a mission to claim gold. The Serbian powerhouse has been on a tear, boasting an equally impressive three-fight win streak. Most recently, he delivered a first-round knockout of Chinese sensation Eqiyuebu at BRAVE CF 84 in China, proving he's a force to be reckoned with.
Nikolic's path of destruction also includes a dominant first-round stoppage of Ali Guliev at BRAVE CF 74, followed by a second-round submission win outside the promotion. Now, he returns to the BRAVE CF cage with one goal—to shock the world and dethrone Hwende.
A Night of High-Stakes Action in Slovenia
BRAVE CF's return to Slovenia is set to be a landmark event, held in partnership with WFC (World Freefight Challenge) as part of the organization's 'Year of the BRAVE' campaign. Following two record-breaking events in the country in 2024, the upcoming card in Ljubljana promises to deliver fireworks, featuring elite global talent alongside Slovenia's finest fighters.
With Hwende vs. Nikolic locked in as the co-main event, fight fans can expect an all-out war for Bantamweight supremacy. Will Hwende solidify his reign, or will Nikolic pull off the upset? The answers will be revealed in Slovenia on June 7.
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