BRAVE Combat Federation heads back to Bulgaria with BRAVE CF 97 on July 12, and the spotlight is firmly on a thrilling co-main event between Bulgaria’s own Pavel Vladev and Mali’s Abou Tounkara, who represents France on the global stage. Both men enter the lightweight bout undefeated under the BRAVE CF banner, setting the stage for a true clash of styles and egos.

After a dominant TKO victory at BRAVE CF 86, Vladev returns to the Burgas Arena eager to thrill his home crowd once more. Known for his aggressive stand-up and finishing instinct, Vladev has become a rising favorite in BRAVE CF’s European roster. The lightweight standout believes his striking power will once again carry him to victory in front of his countrymen.

On the other side of the cage is Abou Tounkara, who made a memorable BRAVE CF debut at BRAVE CF 35. With his strong grappling background and tactical approach, Tounkara presents a major threat. At the pre-fight media day, he added fuel to the fire by saying, “He’s crazy. I’m smart. We’ll see.” That statement didn’t sit well with Vladev, who issued a chilling response: “If you come into my house thinking you can beat me, I’ll take your soul.”

Clash of styles raises stakes for BRAVE CF lightweight division

Beyond the personal animosity and national pride, Vladev vs Tounkara has major implications for the lightweight rankings within BRAVE Combat Federation. It’s a textbook striker versus grappler matchup, and fans are expecting a tactical chess match laced with explosive action.

BRAVE CF 97 continues the promotion’s tradition of showcasing international talent while offering local heroes a chance to shine on a global platform. With two undefeated fighters looking to preserve their records and move up the lightweight ladder, this bout could steal the show in Burgas.

Don’t miss the action live on July 12 as BRAVE CF 97 delivers another night of elite MMA to Europe.