BRAVE CF 60: Top Super Lightweights collide as Luan Santiago fights Cotruta

03 June 2022

On July 30th, two Super Lightweights (165lbs) will aim to get their BRAVE CF campaigns back on track when they square off at Brave CF 60 in Goiânia, Brazil.

For Brazil’s Luan Santiago (16-6) - post winning the BRAVE CF 155lbs belt in 2019 when he knocked out Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady - it has been a disappointing road. Four months after winning gold, he suffered a shocking rear-naked choke loss to fellow countryman Cleiton Silva (15-3) at BRAVE CF 25. Brazil’s 2016 Fighter of the Year then took a quick turnaround fight and got back on the horse to earn a hard-fought split decision win over Russia’s Gadzhimusa Gadzhiev (10-6) at BRAVE CF 29.

Santiago then returned in 2021, in a disappointing manner as the popular Brazilian lost to France’s star Benoit St. Denis (8-1)  on his return in 2021 at BRAVE CF 49.

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Santiago then tested other promotional waters, where he came home with a mixed bag which included two wins, one loss and two cancellations to boot. Following a variety of disappointments, next month could be a big test of character and resolve when he returns to one of the world's biggest MMA platforms as he comes face to face with a tough opponent in BRAVE CF newbie, Moldova’s Mihail Cotruta (13-2) who endured a loss in his debut for the promotion.

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The 32-year-old Cotruta was unstoppable prior to joining BRAVE CF, racking up seven straight wins in the local circuit. He hit only his second speed bump in 15 fights when he lost to Germany’s Marcel Grabinski (22-6) during a catchweight bout at BRAVE CF 54.

Cotruta will be keen to silence the Brazilian crowd and get back to winning ways by overcoming the renowned home country hero who trains out of Curitiba, Brazil.

The winner of this fight will take one step closer to title conversations and the chance to don Super Lightweight champion, Eldar Eldarov’s (13-1) 165lbs gold. Eldarov has been relentless in his pursuit of greatness since stepping into the BRAVE CF cage and is yet to be beaten.