Manama : BRAVE Combat Federation (BRAVE CF) is set to reach another milestone in its international expansion with the launch of BRAVE CF 108 in the Republic of Croatia on September 5, marking the organisation’s first event in the country and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a global hub for the development of mixed martial arts.
The event will be held at the historic Pula Arena, making Croatia the 18th European nation and the 39th country worldwide to host a BRAVE CF event. The milestone further strengthens the promotion’s presence across Europe, where it has established itself as a leading force in mixed martial arts while continuing its rapid international growth.
In less than a decade, BRAVE CF has evolved into one of the sport’s most influential organisations. Headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain, it now holds the largest share of the European mixed martial arts market, providing athletes from around the world with a global platform to showcase their talent and compete at the highest level.
The event will feature two career-defining contests involving elite athletes from Croatia, France, the Philippines and Georgia.
Croatian star Andi Vrtacic will headline the event against France’s Sofiane Bouafia in a three-round middleweight contest.
Vrtacic enters the bout after building impressive momentum on the regional circuit, recording six knockout victories in nine professional wins. The explosive Croatian is set to make his long-awaited BRAVE CF debut and will look to make an immediate impact in front of his home crowd.
Bouafia, meanwhile, brings extensive experience to the contest. Since turning professional in 2012, the French veteran has competed in 12 professional bouts, capturing regional titles along the way. Seven of his victories have come by stoppage, and he will aim to spoil Vrtacic’s homecoming.
The co-main event will see former BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Champion Stephen Loman of the Philippines face Georgia’s Lasha Abramishvili in a pivotal contest, with the winner expected to move into contention for the vacant BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Championship.
Loman returns to competition after several years away from the cage. A member of BRAVE CF’s inaugural event in September 2016, he compiled a perfect 6-0 promotional record to establish himself as one of the organisation’s pioneering stars.
His defining moment came at BRAVE CF 9: *The Kingdom of Champions* in November 2017, when he defeated Gurdarshan Mangat by first-round technical knockout to become the inaugural BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Champion. He went on to hold the title for a record 1,179 days, the longest reign in the division’s history, while successfully defending the belt four times.
Standing opposite him will be one of the division’s fastest-rising contenders.
Abramishvili enters the contest with a professional record of 12 wins, two losses and one draw, alongside an unbeaten 4-0 record in BRAVE CF. Three of those victories have come inside the distance, while his most recent appearance saw him earn a unanimous decision over Brice Picaud at BRAVE CF 106 in June.
BRAVE CF 108 represents another landmark in the organisation’s global journey and reflects Bahrain’s continued commitment to promoting sport as a platform for connecting cultures, empowering athletes and shaping the future of mixed martial arts through a globally recognised Bahraini vision.
