After nearly four years away from the BRAVE Combat Federation cage, Abou "Yondaime" Tounkara is set to make his highly anticipated return at BRAVE CF 97 on Saturday, July 12, where he will face Bulgaria’s Pavel Vladev on the main card at the Burgas Arena.
The Malian lightweight, now based in France, views his return not just as a comeback but as a mission to place Mali firmly back on the international MMA map.
Tounkara, who holds a professional record of 12 victories, has built a reputation competing against high-level opponents across several global promotions. He made his BRAVE CF debut in July 2020 with an emphatic second-round finish.
In his absence, the BRAVE CF lightweight division has evolved significantly. Now headlined by Kyrgyzstan’s Abdisalam Kubanychbek, the 155-pound class is considered one of the most competitive divisions in the organization. Tounkara is determined to make his mark once again, beginning with his bout at BRAVE CF 97.
His opponent, Vladev, will enter the cage backed by a hometown crowd, but Tounkara has never been intimidated by hostile territory. Known for his relentless pressure and aggressive style, he remains a formidable presence in the division.
Beyond personal success, Tounkara fights for representation. With few Malian athletes competing at this level, his return to BRAVE CF symbolizes a broader goal — to spotlight Malian talent on the global MMA stage.
A win in Burgas would mark a strong step forward in revitalizing his career and elevating his nation’s presence in the sport.
BRAVE CF 97 takes place Saturday, July 12, live from Burgas, Bulgaria. All eyes will be on Abou Tounkara as he looks to silence the home crowd and reignite his journey in the lightweight division.
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