BRAVE CF returns to Bulgaria on August 1 with Explosive Fight Night in BurgasBRAVE CF makes a massive return to Bulgaria with an event on August 1 in Burgas
Burgas, Bulgaria — The BRAVE Combat Federation is preparing for another significant European presentation, during which the organization officially announces its return to Bulgaria Saturday, August 1.
The rapidly growing global MMA promotion will host the event at the Burgas Arena, once again partnering with the Bulgarian Fighting Agency to deliver what promises to be an electrifying evening of fights.
Mohammed Shahid emphasizes the growing importance of Bulgaria
BRAVE CF President Mohammed Shahid emphasized the importance of the promotion’s continued presence in the region:
“Bulgaria has become a key destination for BRAVE CF in Europe and we are excited to return for another spectacular event. The passion of the fans, the professionalism of our partners at the Bulgarian Fighting Agency and the incredible talent emerging from this region continue to inspire us. We are committed to providing a global platform for Bulgarian athletes, while discovering the next generation of mixed martial arts stars.”
Strengthening the key European partnership
This means third year in a row that BRAVE CF has collaborated with the Bulgarian Fighting Agency, further strengthening a partnership that has played a key role in the development of MMA in Eastern Europe.
Each visit contributed to the rapid development of the sport in Bulgaria, raising both the level of competition and the international visibility of local athletes.
Build rate: from BRAVE CF 86 to 97
BRAVE CF first made its presence known in Bulgaria with BRAVE CF 86 in August 2024. The historic debut featured a high-stakes delicate heavyweight bout between Mohamed Said Maalem and Bulgarian standout Atanas Djambazov.
Said Maalem put in an impressive performance, earning a third-round TKO victory in front of an enthusiastic hometown crowd. The event also highlighted local talents such as Rusi Minev and Pavel Vladev, who helped ignite the vivid atmosphere in the Burgas Arena.
Momentum picked up at BRAVE CF 97 in July 2025, which saw Said Maalem return to action against Kaloyan Kolev in another compelling main event.
The continued success of these events has established Bulgaria as a key stop on BRAVE CF’s European tours.
The August 1 event promises elite action
As anticipation builds, the August 1 card is expected to feature a mix of emerging prospects and established contenders from across Europe and beyond.
BRAVE CF’s commitment to showcasing global talent while elevating local fighters remains central to its mission, and this upcoming event aims to further strengthen Bulgaria’s position on the international MMA scene.
Fight announcements on this card are expected in the coming weeks, adding to the excitement surrounding one of the most anticipated combat sports events of the summer.
Why this event matters
BRAVE CF’s return to Burgas is not just another night of fights – it is a continuation of its long-term investment in European MMA. With sturdy local partnerships, growing fan support and consistently competitive fight cards, Bulgaria is quickly becoming a cornerstone of the promotions market.
As August 1 approaches, all signs point to another unforgettable night in the cage – one that could once again draw the attention of the next wave of MMA stars.
Terence “Bud†Crawford has addressed Conor
McGregor's anticlimactic return to action in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
McGregor's return to the Octagon ended in just 69 seconds at
UFC 329. The former two-division champion seemingly injured his
right knee in the opening sequence of the fight, leading to a
stoppage from the referee as he was unable to continue.
UFC CEO Dana
White subsequently speculated that it could be an ACL-related
issue, an unfortunate occurrence considering McGregor's last bout
before UFC 329 also ended in a leg injury.
Terence Crawford says Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 injury was ‘God
punish them’ after the former champion’s 69-second loss.
Crawford, who has gone back and forth with McGregor previously,
believes the Irishman got what was coming his way. The unbeaten
boxer and the MMA superstar were once rumored to be squaring off in
a two-fight crossover series across both combat sports, and
McGregor claimed Crawford turned down a $200 million deal, which
the latter has since dismissed.
“It's crazy when they talk sh*t to me God punish them,†Crawford
wrote on X.
This isn't the first time Crawford has addressed an MMA result.
After Ilia
Topuria suffered the first defeat of his professional career at
UFC Freedom 250 to Justin
Gaethje, “Bud†questioned the hype behind “El Matador†going
into the historic White House event. Notably, Topuria had
previously claimed he could beat Crawford in boxing.
“This the guy that said he would knock me out and whoop me and
Shakur at the same time?†Crawford posted after UFC Freedom
250.
It's crazy when they talk shit to me God
punish them. 🤷ðŸ¿â€â™‚ï¸
— Terence
Crawford (@terencecrawford)
July 12, 2026
This the guy that said he would knock me out
and whoop me and Shakur at the same time?😂😂😂
— Terence
Crawford (@terencecrawford)
June 15, 2026
Gable Steveson said he would welcome a fight with Josh Hokit. |
📷: Getty/UFC
After a dominant win in his
Ultimate Fighting Championship debut, Gable
Steveson has responded to Josh Hokit's
trash talk.
Steveson defeated Elisha
Ellison at
UFC 329, extending his professional record to 4-0 and recording
his fourth straight first-round finish. Hokit, who's emerged as one
of the most polarizing figures in the UFC, has issued threats to
Steveson and his mentor, Jon Jones,
drawing a reaction from the Olympian.
Gable Steveson responds to Josh Hokit after dominant UFC 329
victory
Hokit took to X to share a clip from one of Steveson's pre-fight
interviews wherein the latter questioned the former's skills. “The
Incredible Hok†listed his many athletic achievements before
suggesting that both Steveson and Jones steer clear of him.
“Remember, this ain't wrestling,†Hokit wrote on X. “If anyone
signs up to face me in a fist fight, better have a good insurance
policy. It will take your doctor time to put your face back
together, unless you quit like the last guy I fought. This includes
the guy [Jon Jones]
that trains you. I'm the baddest man on the planet.â€
Steveson responded at the UFC 329 post-fight presser, claiming that
he and Hokit have contrasting priorities.
“Like I said, I like Josh as a fighter,†Steveson said. “Josh is a
character. Josh wants to make sure people follow him on Instagram
or follow him on Twitter. I go out there and dominate. I go out
there and win. So, if the time comes with Josh, if he doesn't move
down before that, so be it, will make it happen.â€
High School: All State in Football & CA
State Champ. Ranked top 3 in nation. College: Running Back. 15-hr days with a Bowl-bound football team.
No time to train wrestling. Finished football in Jan âž¡ï¸ cut weight & prepped in 2 months âž¡ï¸
Finished Top 5 in the NCAA wrestling… https://t.co/46vHT8lqXc
— The Incredible Hok (@Josh_HokitUFC)
July 11, 2026
Chael Sonnen says you can stick a fork in Conor McGregor: He’s
done. | 📷: Jason Burgos/Sherdog
Chael
Sonnen believes Conor
McGregor's
Ultimate Fighting Championship career took a major hit
following the anticlimactic loss to Max
Holloway at
UFC 329.
McGregor suffered a knee injury seconds into his rematch with
Holloway. He then wasn't able to find stability and repeatedly fell
while attempting strikes, prompting the referee to stop the bout.
With the Irishman's last two main events ending in unfortunate
injuries, Sonnen questions whether he can headline another
card.
‘You cannot main event him': Chael Sonnen on Conor
McGregor
In McGregor's last outing prior to UFC 329, he suffered a leg break
in his trilogy fight against Dustin
Poirier in 2021. A lengthy stint on the sidelines ensued before
the Holloway rematch came together. According to Sonnen, there were
no takeaways from the former two-division champ's return.
“It was one of these things where there was nothing to take away
from it,†Sonnen told MMA Junkie after the fight. “There
was no redeemable quality. I think Conor mentally was in the right
spot, but the contest is physical.â€
Sonnen then outlined other examples of big stars on losing streaks
looking to headline upon their returns, including Chuck
Liddell, Brock
Lesnar and Anderson
Silva. He claims UFC CEO Dana
White might not be keen on another McGregor main event.
“If you were to take [a serious injury] away, if we were to say,
‘Boy, we got lucky, in fact, a step further, the [doctor]
misdiagnosed this, he’s completely fine.’ We don’t see him fight
again,†Sonnen added. “You cannot main event him. You cannot
repackage and sell this story, nor would they be interested. Chuck
Liddell was very close friends with Dana White. Brock Lesnar just
wanted to do it again. Anderson Silva said, ‘Hey, put me in one
more time.’ Dana does not give back on that.â€