BRAVE CF 97 wrapped up in Burgas with a wild headliner that left fans fired up — and scorecards split. Kaloyan Kolev and Mohamed Said Maalem threw down in a gritty light heavyweight battle, going the full three rounds without a clear winner. After 15 punishing minutes, the judges called it a majority draw.
Kolev started fast with relentless takedowns, setting the pace early and keeping Maalem guessing. But Maalem stayed calm and fought back with power shots that slowed the momentum. The third round turned into a slugfest — both fighters bleeding, both refusing to fold. Two judges scored it even, while one gave it narrowly to Maalem. A draw felt fair, but unfinished.
Earlier in the night, the co-main shuffled after Abou Tounkara was scratched for medical reasons, canceling his fight with Pavel Vladev. Taking their spot: Lascha Abramishvili vs. Brice Picaud. The Georgian got it done with a slick rear-naked choke in the second round, keeping the energy high.
Local favorite Plamen Penchev gave the Burgas crowd a highlight-reel moment, putting Sofiane Bouafia to sleep with a monster right hand in just 54 seconds.
The BRAVE prelims had no shortage of drama either. Gerard Burns ate an illegal knee from Alinson Ochoa but kept going and cruised to a dominant decision. Deyan Galinov shocked the crowd with a second-round KO over Abdoul Sow. Meanwhile, Murad Guseinov stayed undefeated, smashing Gabriel Bula with ground-and-pound for a first-round finish.
Also on the card: Anton Yanchev tapped out Johan Van de Hel with an arm-triangle choke, and England’s Mim Grubb swept the scorecards against Germany’s Songul Karatorak.
BRAVE Combat Federation brought serious heat to Bulgaria. From walkout to final bell, BRAVE CF 97 was one of the promotion’s most chaotic and entertaining cards in recent memory.
