Team Lakay’s Stephen Loman. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Filipinos have long since become a staple in mixed martial arts appearing in different promotions and five more are once again expected to deliver big bouts in the BRAVE CF promotion.
The promotion is set to stage its first Russian event in Sochi on January 16, 2021 and even though there was no confirmation on who would be on the card, BRAVE CF President Mohammed Shahid hinted at the possibility of Filipinos appearing in the show.
“The Philippines has been a focus for BRAVE Combat Federation from the very beginning,” said Shahid. “From time to time, warriors from the Philippines prove that they have not only the skill to compete at the international level but also the heart that matters when it comes to combat sports.”
The likes of Stephen Loman, Rolando Dy, Jeremy Pacatiw, Harold Banario, and Jomar Pa-ac could appear in the Sochi card in what is considered a landmark event for the promotion.
Team Lakay’s Loman (14-2), the reigning World bantamweight champion, already established his position in the company headlining three of the promotion’s cards including BRAVE CF’s first event in the Philippines in March 2019.
Loman is on an eight-fight winning streak and hasn’t been defeated since 2016.
Shahid also has high hopes for the 25-year-old martial artist, even envisioning the Baguio City native as the future of Philippine combat sports.
“I really believe that he (Loman) will take the sport of MMA to another level in the Philippines. He keeps on proving that he is a deserving champion,” said Shahid. “He is the biggest combat athlete in the Philippine along with Manny Pacquiao. I said it before and I’ll say it again.”
“People say we gave him the opportunity, but it’s actually the opposite. He gave us the honor of fighting in our organization. I was sad that not a lot of Filipinos knew him, but now I’m the happiest man because the country found a new hero, a fighter who proudly represents the country.”
Dy, the son of Filipino boxer Rolando Navarrete, already has a gentleman’s agreement with lightweight champion Amin Ayoub after his unanimous decision win over John Brewin.