BRAVE Combat Federation returns today with BRAVE CF 53, happening live from Almaty, Kazakhstan. As the organization often does, BRAVE is co-promoting this card, this time with Kazakhstan-based promotion Octagon, which will be running the preliminary card.
The main event is a featherweight matchup, as Nurzhan Akishev will take on undefeated South Korean Tae Kyun Kim on his home soil. Akishev most recently dropped a decision to Russian standout Roman Bogatov, which was his first decision in his 13-fight career. Kim has only been to a decision twice himself, so this fight has a high possibility of not going to the judges’ scorecards.
Three former UFC fighters will also be featured on the BRAVE CF 53 main card. Aleksander Doskalchuk was signed to the UFC, but never fought for the organization after a USADA drug test failure led to a two-year suspension and a subsequent release. The Ukranian flyweight and former M-1 Challenge champion will return to action for the first time in almost three years when he faces fellow former M-1 Challenge fighter Asu Almabaev.
Lucas Martins had a 4-3 run in the UFC, but has spent his last five fights with BRAVE, losing his last two fights, albeit both for the BRAVE featherweight belt. He will face short-notice replacement Olzhas Eskaraev at lightweight. TUF 27 featherweight winner “Superman” Brad Katona makes his second appearance with BRAVE after picking up a submission victory at BRAVE CF 50 back in April. He returns to take on Bair Shtepin, who lost at the aforementioned BRAVE CF 50 his last time out.
MMA Sucka has fight fans covered with BRAVE CF 53 results, with the card starting at 8am ET/5am PT live on BRAVE CF TV.
BRAVE CF 53 Results
Main Card
Tae Kyun Kim def. Nurzhan Akishev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Vasiliy Takhtay def. Roger Sampaio via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), 1:24 of Round 2
Asu Almabaev def. Aleksander Doskalchuk via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), 3:47 of Round 2
Olzhas Eskaraev def. Lucas Martins via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), 2:49 of Round 2
Brad Katona def. Bair Shtepin via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Azat Maksum def. Flavio Queiroz via KO (Overhand Right), 3:00 of Round 1
Akhmed Magomedov def. Ilyar Askhanov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Octagon Preliminary Card
Damir Tolenov def. Nurbek Bolotbekov via Submission (Americana), 3:25 of Round 1
Aktore Batyrbek def. Ernis Abdilakim Uulu via Submission (Triangle Choke), 1:02 of Round 1
Karim Ruzbakiev def. Kodirkhon Ganiev via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bauyrzhan Kuanyshbayev def. Fakhriddin Mardiev via TKO (Corner Stoppage), 5:00 of Round 2
Alisher Gabdullin def. Bekzat Saparov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Zhasur Mirzamukhamedov def. Islambek Baktybek Uulu via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Maksat Zholdosh def. Sanjarbek Erkinov via Submission (Mounted Triangle Choke), 1:30 of Round 2
