Brave 8: The Rise of Champions wrapped up last Saturday, in Curitiba, Brazil, with a lot of winners and two new titleholders joining Elias Boudegzdame in the gallery of Brave Combat Federation’s champions. Light Heavyweight Klidson de Abreu submitted Timo Feucht to become Brazil’s first ever Brazilian Brave champ. On the co-main event, Carlston Harris put on a wrestling clinic to deny Carl Booth and claim Welterweight gold. But there were other big winners in a night full of finishes and excitement.
In 12 bouts, the 24 athletes involved in an historic night in Curitiba left everything inside the cage and were praised for their willingness to put everything on the line. However, only half of them had their hands raised. But who impressed the most?
Brave 8 post-fight analysis: biggest winners from Curitiba
Read about the biggest winners from Curitiba.
1 – Klidson de Abreu
Abreu’s performance against a tough prospect in Timo Feucht couldn’t be more perfect. Before the bout, analysts predicted that Klidson’s best chances were on the ground and, theoretically, “Teddy” would have an advantage in striking. However, “The Brazilian Hope” showed his training with the legendary André Dida at Evolução Thai has been paying dividends and the new champion was superior to his counterpart on the feet as well.
And, of course, once the fight hit the mat, Klidson put on a clinic, passing Feucht’s guard at will and proving his jiu-jitsu game is up there with the best in the Light Heavyweight division. Abreu walked away with the belt, but he also left a message to future challengers: he’s as dangerous on the feet as he is on the ground.
2 – Killys Mota
Opening up the main card in his Brave debut, Killys Mota had high expectations surrounding him, especially after beating a legendary Akihiro Gono in his last fight. But Mota seemed unfazed as he put on the most dominant performance in the night, sweeping aside a tough Alan Moziel in the grappling and striking departments. The judges’ scorecards told the story of the fight better than anyone: triple 29×25, and the only point Killys lost was after throwing an illegal knee.
Even though Moziel hung on for all 15 minutes, Mota seemed to be always one step ahead and dominated throughout, making sure CM System had a clean sweep, as Luan “Miau” Santiago and Marcel Adur also won their bouts at Brave 8: The Rise of Champions. The future looks brighter than ever for the now 10-0 undefeated Lightweight.
3 – Marcel Adur
Flyweight is a division known for its fast-paced bouts and submissions instead of knockouts. Don’t tell that to Marcel Adur, though. The CM System product has been on a tear since joining Brave Combat Federation and has knocked out his two opponents in the organization. After debuting against Ivan Lopez in Brave’s first trip to Brazil last March, Adur continued his streak of violence against Rodrigo Melonio. After a back and forth first round, with a close advantage to Marcel, he stepped up in round two and knocked down “Bad Boy” before watching referee Osiris Maia stop the bout on the advice of doctors. Melonio had a broken nose and was unable to continue.
After two knockouts in two bouts at Flyweight, Marcel Adur has positioned himself nicely for a title shot once the organization puts the 125 lbs. belt on the line. If it’s up to him and his heavy hands, Brave fans can expect another knockout soon. This time, in a title fight.
4 – Jeremy Pacatiw
Even though Pacatiw is only 21, he has been able to absorb different experiences since debuting for Brave in December of last year at Brave 2: Dynasty, in Bahrain. He lost that bout but has since bounced back with a win over local fighters in both India and Brazil. The Filippino sensation was able to get the first finish of his career against Thiago Dela Coleta, at Brave 8. After a first round where he almost submitted the Brazilian with a rear-naked choke, Pacatiw was able to land at will during the second frame and eventually, his right hand found a home in the body and Dela Coleta finally had enough, as referee Fernando Portella stepped in to stop the bout.
Wtih the TKO victory, Pacatiw positioned himself with a winning record inside the Brave cage and is one of four fighters with three promotional fights. The others are: Kevin Koldobsky, Gadzhimusa Gadzhiev and Carl Booth, who lost the co-main event last Saturday. His fight also made waves in the Philippines as the young Bantamweight’s fighting future looks promising in and outside the Brave cage.
Life-changing performance
Carlston “Moçambique” Harris had been campaigning for a title shot since he TKO’d prospect Thiago Vieira at Brave 3: Battle in Brazil. After hearing he had been passed over by Mohammad Fakhreddine and Carl Booth, who would fight for the Welterweight belt, Harris made sure he was on the same card.
Initially scheduled to face Carlos Leal, Carlston agreed to fight tough veteran Rodrigo Cavalheiro instead. But destiny had other plans for the Guianese…
Hours before the official weigh-in, Brave officials contacted Harris, asking him if he would take the title fight against Carl Booth, since Fakhreddine fell ill and would be unable to compete. Carlston jumped at the chance, and, little more than 24 hours later, found himself as a world champion.
Knowing that Booth was a very dangerous striker, Harris chose to use his wrestling and luta livre background to avoid the hands of “Bomber”. The game plan worked perfectly, as “Moçambique” put on a hardworking performance and became Brave’s first Welterweight champion, less than two days after learning that he would be in contention.
