Inside the historic Aleksandar Nikolić Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, Genadi Jorjoliani walked toward the cage on Friday, February 14, with little hype and even fewer believers. The Georgian veteran entered as the clear underdog in one of the most anticipated heavyweight bouts on the card.

Standing across from him at BRAVE CF 104 was the highly touted Danylo Voievodki, an unbeaten Russian powerhouse who carried a pristine 7-0 record, all by finish. With major promotions already monitoring his rise, the matchup appeared heavily tilted in his favor.

On paper, the outcome seemed predictable, with many expecting Jorjoliani to serve as the stepping stone. By the end of the night, however, that narrative had been completely dismantled.

The 37-year-old Georgian produced a stunning upset, knocking out Voievodki in the opening round and sending shockwaves through the heavyweight division. It was the kind of performance that instantly changes a fighter’s career trajectory.

“I still feel like I am dreaming,” Jorjoliani said after the bout. “It was an unbelievable night for my career. I have worked for years for one moment like this, and to have it happen on this stage is something I will never forget.”

Veteran turns the tide early

From the opening bell, tension filled the arena as both heavyweights cautiously measured distance. Voievodki attempted to impose his will early, but Jorjoliani refused to give ground and instead pushed forward with confidence.

The Georgian’s relentless pressure gradually forced the previously unbeaten Russian onto the back foot. Murmurs inside the arena grew louder as the underdog began dictating the pace of the fight.

Sensing hesitation, Jorjoliani unleashed a punishing combination that changed everything. A crushing right hook landed cleanly on Voievodki’s jaw, sending the Russian crashing to the canvas.

Jorjoliani immediately followed with a barrage of elbows that removed any remaining doubt about the outcome. At the 4:15 mark of round one, the referee stepped in, sealing one of the biggest upsets in recent BRAVE history.

“I came into this matchup with one goal, and that was to make a statement,” Jorjoliani said. “People saw his record and forgot about me. I wanted them to remember my name.”

Heavyweight picture suddenly shifts

The victory improved Jorjoliani’s professional record to 11-6 and handed Voievodki the first defeat of his mixed martial arts career. It also instantly elevated the Georgian’s standing in a crowded heavyweight field.

For a fighter who turned professional in 2019 and spent years grinding in search of a breakthrough, the moment felt surreal. The emphatic finish proved he can compete with the division’s most dangerous contenders.

Jorjoliani now finds himself in the conversation within a loaded heavyweight division led by Pavel “The Experiment” Dailidko. While the climb toward title contention remains steep, his statement win ensured he will no longer be overlooked.

“I know this is only the beginning,” Jorjoliani said. “I will go back to work, improve every day, and see where this road takes me. If I keep pushing, who knows how far I can go.”