Brave CF’s debut in the Philippines will be a night to remember for famed stable Team Lakay.
All but one fighter out of Baguio ended the night with their hands raised. The highlight, of course, was Brave CF Bantamweight Champion Stephen Loman (13-2) defending his title against Elias Boudegzdame (15-6) via fourth-round knockout, Friday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After using push kicks and straight lefts to the body throughout the first three rounds, Loman stepped up and started connecting with uppercuts, and ending those with overhands – one of which sent Boudegzdame to the canvas.
The champion then swarmed in, and the referee stopped the bout with just a second to spare in the penultimate round.
The victory was dedicated to his uncle, who was gunned down during the final stages of his training camp.
“I would like to dedicate this fight to my family and teammates. But was also to my uncle, who passed away this month. This was for him, definitely,” he expressed trying to fight off tears.
Loman’s teammates also came out on top with bantamweight Jeremy Pacatiw (9-3) submitted Mark Alcoba (6-2) in the third round with an armbar; bantamweight Harold Banario (5-1) tapping Ariel Oliveros (3-4) with an armbar as well in the first round; and flyweight Jomar Pa-ac (6-4) eking out a unanimous decision win over Sataya Behuria (1-1).
Flyweight John Cris Corton (6-4) was the sole Team Lakay member who suffered defeat, falling to a ninja choke in the first round against Abdul Hussein (6-1)
UFC veteran Rolando Dy (11-7) also had a sensational homecoming, knocking Mehmosh Raza (9-4) out with a powerful right just 59 seconds into the bout.
In the co-main event, a very even match saw John Brewin (5-1) take a razor-thin decision over Cian Cowley (2-2).
