Last year, Filipino superstar Rolando Dy put BRAVE Combat Federation’s talent-filled lightweight division on notice by clinching stellar victories over two of the division’s top contenders.
While those conquests led his recognition as the promotion’s 2020 Fighter of the Year, Dy is not resting on his laurels. His goal this year is to bring home the intricately-crafted BRAVE CF Lightweight World Championship and put it beside the said prestigious award in his trophy room.
Although the 29-year-old Dasmariñas, Cavite resident made a case for a cage encounter with Amin Ayoub, the French titleholder has an elite queue of potential challengers who wish to take away the silverware that he earned from stopping Cleiton Silva this past November.
One of the highly-motivated competitors in the lightweight shark tank is Ahmed Amir. “The Butcher” holds an 11-3-1 professional record with an 82 percent finishing rate, and has been a mainstay of the organization since its inaugural event in 2016.
Amir reinserted himself in the weight class’ world title picture by winning two bouts in a row against the likes of Yousef Wehbe and Cian Cowley. The Egyptian stalwart made a public declaration of his intent to share the stage with the champion when he crashed the BRAVE CF 44 official weigh-ins.
Aside from Amir, Kyrgyzstan’s very own Abdisalam Kubanychbek also has his sights on the belt wrapped around Ayoub’s waist.
“Omok” is on a tear, knocking out both Joao Paulo Rodrigues and Vagif Askerov before pulling off a second-round submission of Jahongir Saidjamolov at BRAVE CF 46 in Sochi, Russia last January.
Most recently, Kubanychbek revealed that he has Dy on his wish list of opponents as the Kyrgyz juggernaut plans for a quick turnaround.
The other lightweight on the list is English spitfire Sam Patterson, who owns a 6-1-1 slate as a pro and is currently riding high on a five-match winning streak. The Team Crossface standout accomplished the biggest win of his young career when he knocked out UFC veteran Felipe Silva in the first round of their September 2020 clash.
For Dy, he does not mind if he has to take on one of the aforementioned fighters to stake his claim as the No. 1 contender for Ayoub’s lightweight crown.
“If BRAVE CF thinks I have to prove it again, then so be it. I am a fighter, and my job is to fight and win fights. Like I said in the past, line them up and I will keep knocking them down. It’s that simple.”
The organization is expected to announce its next live event in the coming days, and Dy hints at the probability of him returning to action soon.
“I’m excited for 2021. I know this year has a lot in store for me and my team. I can’t wait to get back inside the cage,” he said.
