Stephen “The Sniper” Loman is heading into unfamiliar territory. On September 5, he returns to BRAVE Combat Federation for the first time in five years.

He’ll do it inside a nearly 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater. Loman faces Georgian rising star Lasha Abramishvili in the co-main event of BRAVE CF 108.

The bout takes place at the iconic Pula Arena in Croatia. It marks the first time a Cordilleran fighter has ever competed inside the ancient venue.

A Fighter Forged by the Cordillera

Loman was born into the Ifugao community in the highlands of northern Luzon. Elevations there climb to nearly 2,928 meters, far from the city lights of Metro Manila.

That rugged terrain shaped him early. It instilled resilience through adversity and composure under pressure.

His career has already spanned continents. He has fought at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in India, and Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines.

He has also competed at the SSE Arena in Northern Ireland and Khalifa Sports City Arena in Bahrain. Pula Arena, though, offers something entirely new.

Now based in Baguio City, Loman has carried his Ifugao identity onto the international stage. “I’m proud to be a Cordilleran. Wherever I compete, I carry my people and my heritage with me,” he said.

He pointed to his ancestors’ resistance as the root of his mentality. “Our ancestors were fiercely independent, and they protected their land and way of life for generations,” he said.

“That determination is part of me, and I want to show the world what a Cordilleran warrior is all about,” Loman added.

The Cordillera is home to several distinct Indigenous tribes, including the Ifugao, Kalinga, Bontoc, Ibaloi, Kankanaey, and Isneg. For more than 300 years, these communities resisted Spanish colonization from their mountain strongholds.

Stepping Into an Ancient Arena’s History

Pula Arena’s story stretches back nearly two millennia. A wooden structure first stood there during the reign of Emperor Augustus.

The stone amphitheater came later, built under the Flavian dynasty during the reigns of Vespasian and Titus. It once hosted gladiatorial contests and major public gatherings.

Much of that grandeur has survived. Pula Arena is considered one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world.

Its limestone exterior, four side towers, and three classical architectural orders remain remarkably intact. That makes it one of Croatia’s most celebrated landmarks.

Loman said he’s well aware of the stage he’s stepping onto. “I know the history of Pula Arena, and that makes this fight even more meaningful,” he said.

“Warriors fought here centuries ago, and now I have the chance to compete in the same place in a different era,” he added. He said he wants to honor that legacy with his performance.

Loman became the inaugural BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Champion in 2017. He went on to defend the title four times during a 1,179-day reign atop the division.

His clash with Abramishvili marks his first appearance in Croatia. It’s also his long-awaited return to the promotion that first made him a champion.