Abou Tounkara returns at BRAVE CF 97 to reignite career and represent Mali on global stage

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After nearly four years of absence, Malian lightweight Abou Tounkara is back in the BRAVE Combat Federation cage, and he’s returning with purpose. Set to clash with Bulgaria’s Pavel Vladev at BRAVE CF 97 on Saturday, 12 July, in Burgas Arena, Tounkara’s comeback is more than a return to fighting — it’s a mission to put Malian MMA on the map.

Now based in France, Tounkara holds 12 professional wins and has previously fought under several global promotions. His BRAVE CF debut in 2020 ended with a dominant second-round finish, proving his ability to perform on the big stage. But the lightweight division has evolved since then, with Kyrgyzstan’s Abdisalam Kubanychbek now reigning over a deeply competitive weight class.

Abou Tounkara returns to BRAVE CF after four years, looking to make a statement at BRAVE CF 97.

Tounkara isn’t backing down. His pressure-based style and mental resilience have earned him respect, and at BRAVE CF 97, he’ll need all of it as he goes into hostile territory against hometown favorite Pavel Vladev. For Tounkara, however, this fight is not about silencing the crowd — it’s about reigniting his career and planting Mali’s flag proudly on the international MMA scene.

More than just a fight: Tounkara fights for Mali

What sets Abou Tounkara apart is not just his power or tenacity — it’s his drive to represent a nation rarely seen in elite MMA competition. In a sport where visibility matters, his presence on a global stage like BRAVE CF means something far beyond individual achievement.

A victory in Bulgaria would serve as a beacon for up-and-coming Malian fighters, showing that the path to international success is possible. Tounkara’s return is fueled not by nostalgia but by unfulfilled ambition, and BRAVE CF 97 could mark the start of a remarkable second chapter in his professional journey.

As fight night approaches, the eyes of Malian fans — and the BRAVE CF world — are on Tounkara. Can he silence the crowd in Burgas and ignite a new chapter? The answer comes July 12.