BRAVE Combat Federation’s featherweight division will take the spotlight on Friday, September 19, as Omar Solomanov of Ukraine and Rauan “Shymyr” Bekbolat of Kazakhstan square off in a high-stakes rematch for the BRAVE CF Interim Featherweight World Title.

The five-round contest headlines the highly anticipated BRAVE CF 98 at Henan TV Studio 8 in Zhengzhou, China. The winner will claim a portion of the throne and earn the right to challenge reigning divisional king Nemat “Eagle” Abdrashitov of Kyrgyzstan in a unification bout, adding an extra layer of significance to one of the most anticipated rematches in the promotion’s history.

A rivalry renewed

The upcoming clash is the second meeting between Solomanov and Bekbolat. Their first encounter took place at BRAVE CF 85 in August 2024, where the Kazakh pulled off a stunning upset, submitting the Ukrainian with a guillotine choke in the third round. That victory announced Bekbolat as a legitimate contender in the division and handed Solomanov a stinging setback.

Since then, both men have positioned themselves at the top of the rankings — Solomanov as the No. 1 contender and Bekbolat as the No. 2. With their rivalry unresolved and the stakes raised, BRAVE CF 98 provides the perfect stage to settle the score.

High stakes for the division

For Solomanov, the main event in Zhengzhou is about more than interim gold. It is about erasing the memory of his loss to Bekbolat and reaffirming his place as the top challenger for the undisputed crown.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment since the day I walked out of the cage,” Solomanov said. “Bekbolat caught me once, but lightning doesn’t strike twice. This is my chance to prove who the better fighter truly is — and I won’t let it slip away.”

Bekbolat enters the rematch with the confidence of having already beaten his rival. He believes his first victory was no accident and views the showdown at BRAVE CF 98 as an opportunity to prove he is championship material.

“I finished him before, and I will finish him again,” Bekbolat said. “The first fight was no fluke. This time, the stakes are higher, and I will show the world that I am the future of the featherweight division.”

Beyond personal pride and redemption, the headliner carries major implications for the 145-pound bracket. Reigning champion Abdrashitov awaits the winner in what would be a unification bout that could define the weight class for years to come. For Solomanov, victory at BRAVE CF 98 means a second chance to secure the coveted prize he has long been chasing. For Bekbolat, another win would cement his rise from prospect to titleholder, and potentially launch a new era for Kazakh MMA under the BRAVE CF banner.