BRAVE CF 78: Last-Minute Changes and Exciting Debuts Highlight Fortaleza Event

30 November 2023

The much-anticipated BRAVE CF 78 event is met with a familiar setback as the Flyweight title remains elusive due to unforeseen circumstances. Flavio Queiroz, originally set to face Edilceu Alves for the inaugural 125-pound title, has unfortunately fallen ill, marking the 11th instance of last-minute changes related to the coveted Flyweight belt. Consequently, the organization has adjusted its plans, with Alves now taking on newcomer Marciano Ferreira in a non-title bout.

Despite the setback, fans can still expect an exhilarating main event featuring the Super Lightweight clash between former world champion Luan Santiago and top contender Joilton Lutterbach. The event is scheduled for December 7 and is organized in association with Victorious Fight and Entertainment, marking BRAVE Combat Federation's return to Fortaleza, the North-Eastern hub of Brazil and its second home. Brazil has the distinction of being the first country to host BRAVE CF shows in three different cities, with Curitiba and Belo Horizonte as the other venues.

The complete fight card for BRAVE CF 78 promises a mix of thrilling matchups, including the return of Super Welterweight powerhouse Luiz Cado, who faces Vernon Ramos. Notably, this bout was initially slated for BRAVE CF 73 in Colombia. The main card showcases the debuts of Brazilian standouts Arlen 'Benks' Ribeiro and Marcelo Marques, who are set to take on Yabna Ferreira Ntchalá and Manuel Mena, respectively. Of particular interest is Ntchalá, who will make history as the first fighter from Guinea-Bissau to feature in BRAVE CF, and Mena, who becomes the first male Venezuelan athlete after Yasmeli Araque.

The Victorious segment of the fight card promises two compelling matchups, with Junior Melo and Danilo Santos facing off in a Lightweight bout, while a Brazil vs Argentina showdown unfolds as Ricardo de Almeida takes on Roberto Benítez in a Catchweight bout at 68kg.

BRAVE CF 78: Victorious is set to take place at the Centro de Formação Olímpica stadium in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará state in Brazil. This event marks BRAVE CF's fifth overall show in Brazil and the first in four years, reinforcing the organization's commitment to the vibrant Brazilian MMA scene. Over the years, Brazil has seen five world champions emerge from BRAVE CF, with a roster that boasts more than 90 fighters signed in seven years. The event promises to be a celebration of the nation's rich MMA heritage and a showcase of the organization's enduring global appeal.

BRAVE CF 78 Full Fight Card

• Super Lightweight: Joilton Lutterbach vs Luan Santiago
• Flyweight: Edilceu Alves vs Marciano Ferreira
• Super Welterweight: Luiz Cado vs Vernon Ramos
• Lightweight: Arlen Benks vs Yabna Ferreira Ntchalá
• Lightweight: Marcelo Marques vs Manuel Mena

Victorious Fight Card

• Lightweight: Junior Melo vs Danillo Santos
• Catchweight 68kg: Ricardo de Almeida vs Roberto Benítez
• Light Heavyweight: Jhonatan Azevedo vs Raffael Cerqueira
• Bantamweight: Tiago Caboclo vs Lazaro Mascarenhas
• Strawweight: Gracy Maia vs Ada Leticia
• Featherweight: Israel Figueira vs Wilker Nsamo