Score to equalise. Title on the line. And division at the turning point.
The BRAVE Combat Federation has officially kicked off a thrilling rematch as reigning delicate heavyweight champion Erko Jun defends his title against No. 3 challenger Mohamed Said Maalem.
The high-stakes fight will take place on June 6 at Hala Tivoli in Ljubljana as part of BRAVE CF’s cooperation with World Freefight Challenge.
A rematch where everything is on the line
This isn’t just another title defense – it’s a direct sequel to their first meeting at BRAVE CF 81 in April 2024, where Jun scored a quick knockout.
However, both players insist that this version will be different.
“I’ve put a lot of work into every phase of this camp, perfecting every aspect of my game, from hitting inputs to defensive transitions,” Jun said.
“I’m not just defending my world title; I’m defending the standard I set in this division. On June 6, I’m going to impose my rhythm, control the distance and show that my evolution as a fighter has only made me more threatening.”
Said Maalem promises a different outcome
For Said Maalem, it is about redemption and rewriting the narrative.
“This is more than just a rematch for me; it’s a chance to make up for the past and prove that I belong to the top,” he said.
“I have studied every detail of our previous fight, adapted my approach and strengthened my ability to handle pressure in the pocket. When I step into the cage, I will not be the same fighter I fought before. I will be sharper, more composed and fully prepared to turn the fight around.”
Jun’s journey: from dual division ambitions back to domination
Jun returns to delicate heavyweight after a bold move at BRAVE CF 96, where he challenged Mohammad Fakhreddine for the middleweight title in pursuit of dual-division glory.
Previously, “The Bounty Hunter” had been on a devastating streak, highlighted by his title win at BRAVE CF 88, where he stopped Alexander Wesner to capture the vacant belt.
Jun, who has returned to his natural division, looks to consolidate his reign with another victory.
An experienced challenger with unfinished business
Said Maalem has been consistently working under the BRAVE banner since 2019, building a reputation as a strong and threatening finisher.
With the experience of winning a world title and multiple stoppage victories, “L’Ambiance” enters this five-round fight determined to finally win gold.
Another major intrigue: the heavyweight title is also on the line
Adding even more firepower, the BRAVE CF World Heavyweight Championship will be contested as reigning champion Pavel Dailidko faces top contender Miha Frlic.
Two titles are at stake, and the event in Slovenia is becoming one of the promotion’s most critical cards of the year.
Overall picture: a decisive evening for BRAVE CF
With international talent, a championship at stake and a sizzling rematch on June 6, he could change the shape of the delicate heavyweight division.
For Jun, it’s about proving dominance. For Said Maalem, it’s about redemption.
Kurtis
Campbell can't see his opponents clearly inside the
Octagon.
Campbell wears considerably thick-lensed glasses when out of
competition. The Liverpool native seems to be heavily dependent on
them, putting them back on immediately after his fights. Campbell
recently revealed that his eyesight is poor and that his opponents
appear blurry to him until they get close.
Kurtis Campbell explains why his UFC opponents appear blurry
across the Octagon
While Campbell tried contact lenses when he was young, he was too
nervous to put them in. The
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight eventually got
used to fighting without contact lenses and prefers it this way
now.
“My eyesight is really bad, but at the same time I love my
glasses,†Campbell told Ariel Helwani. “I would never change them…
I tried contacts when I was younger, but I was always too nervous;
I couldn't put them in. So, I got used to fighting without them and
I don't think I've ever gone back since. I've always preferred it
that way… Because of how big the UFC cage is, [my opponent] is
blurry and then once we get closer, it gets a little better.â€
Campbell (9-1) earned his UFC contract with a first-round technical
knockout win on
Dana White's Contender Series last year. He then suffered a
knockout loss to Danny Silva
in his UFC debut in London this past March. “The Pink Pantherâ€
rebounded with a dominant submission win over Trevor Peek
at
UFC Paris.
Kurtis
Campbell reveals just how bad his eyesight is and why he still
refuses to wear contacts during fights despite struggling to see
his opponent clearly:
“My eyesight is really bad, but at the same time I love my
glasses… Because of how big the UFC cage is, [my opponent] is…
pic.twitter.com/xK8YqrzWkM
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
September 9, 2026
One of the more anticipated fights of Noche UFC almost went down three days early.
In the featured bout of Saturday's fight card in Glendale, Ariz., Tommy McMillen takes on fellow undefeated featherweight prospect Marwan Rahiki. The two fighters have gone back and forth in interviews about each other, and during a run-in at the fighter hotel, the two fighters ran into each other, and things got heated very quickly.
Check out the video, captured by JTMedia on Instagram.
McMillen and Rahiki both were able to get a shove or two off during the exchange, which was separated by multiple different people on the scene, along with UFC security.
The 28-year-old McMillen has burst onto the scene in a big way with two finishes and two bonuses, including a show-stealing performance at UFC Oklahoma City in July where he put up record-breaking striking numbers in his victory over Alberto Montes.
Rahiki has also finished both of his UFC opponents as he prepares for a massive opportunity against Rahiki.
NSAC doubles down on punishment for UFC 329 fighters, fines Paddy Pimblett and two other big names
Credit: Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
It sounds like Professional Fighters League lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov's tenure is coming to an imminent conclusion.
Usman Nurmagomedov remains the top free agent in Mixed Martial Arts after his Professional Fighters League contract expired following a win over Archie Colgan earlier this year. The PFL lightweight champion recently turned down the league's reported $2 million initial offer to re-sign with the promotion, hinting at a potential move to the UFC.
Usman, the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, could potentially sign with the UFC after PFL contract talks have stalled out. If he signed with the UFC, he'll be a top threat in the stacked lightweight division.
Despite a potential UFC signing, the PFL could still offer Nurmagomedov a top-end deal to return to the league. But UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, Nurmagomedov's teammate, recently expressed little chance of that coming to fruition.
Islam Makhachev hints at imminent Usman Nurmagomedov UFC signing
In a recent interview with Match TV, Makhachev was asked about the chances of Nurmagomedov signing with the UFC, and claimed there was a 90 percent chance of it coming to fruition.
“It's the perfect move for him; he needs to prove he's the best in the world. He could face a top-10 rival and soon earn a title shot,†Makhachev said of Nurmagomedov.
“He grew up alongside Khabib and me, has trained with the best from the start of his career and has extensive experience working with champions; now is the best time for him to join the UFC.†(h/t Bloody Elbow)
As of this writing, Nurmagomedov remains a free agent, but could potentially join the UFC in the coming weeks. Usman was in Umar Nurmagomedov's corner at UFC Shanghai last month.
Will Usman Nurmagomedov eventually win a UFC lightweight title? Share your thoughts in the comments!