Many heavyweights have made their case to become the inaugural BRAVE CF Heavyweight champion, but none has a stronger claim than Lithuanian powerhouse Pavel Dailidko. And this Saturday, September 28, he will have the opportunity to do just that as he co-headlines BRAVE CF 88 for the 265 lbs world title.
Pavel made his BRAVE Combat Federation debut in 2022 at BRAVE CF 65, where he faced Shamil Gaziev. It was a tough start, as Pavel was knocked out in the second round. While this setback could have derailed many fighters, Pavel had different plans.
A few months later, he returned to BRAVE CF and knocked out Slovenian star Luka Podkrajsek in the first round at BRAVE CF 70, silencing the crowd in Slovenia. This marked the beginning of his rise. Pavel continued his momentum by securing two more first-round knockouts that year, stopping Salim El Ouassaidi at BRAVE CF 74 and Janos Csukas at BRAVE CF 79, making him the first BRAVE CF fighter to achieve three consecutive first-round finishes in a single year.
While these victories alone could have earned him a title shot, Pavel solidified his position at BRAVE CF 81 in Slovenia earlier this year by defeating the experienced Valdrin Istrefi, winning over the Slovenian crowd that once booed him.
Now, Pavel has the opportunity to complete his remarkable journey by becoming the first-ever BRAVE CF Heavyweight champion, facing Patryk Dubiela in the co-main event of BRAVE CF 88, once again in Slovenia, the country where his rise began. While he was initially scheduled to fight Azamat Nuftillaev, the last minute opponent change is bound to make the fight tougher for Pavel considering the difference in style that Dubiela brings to the table.
BRAVE CF’s Pavel Dailidko (left) with Tom Aspinall (center) and Ante Delja (right)
Pavel, as always since joining BRAVE CF, has enlisted the help of Tom Aspinall as the duo are part of the ‘’heaviest training camp in the world’’ featuring top Heavyweights from across the globe.
To complete his fairytale run, Pavel must overcome Dubiela, who comes into the fight on the back of an impressive first round finish at BRAVE CF 81. Whether BRAVE CF 88 will see the crowning of Pavel as the Heavyweight king or see Dubiela take the spotlight remains to be seen, making this a highly anticipated bout.
BRAVE CF 88 will take place on September 28 in association with WFC, featuring a Light Heavyweight title fight between Erko Jun and Alexander Wesner in the main event.
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