BRAVE CF 82 face offs: Nkosi Ndebele showcases star power, Prince Lolia brings pillow

11 May 2024

Less than 24 hours before BRAVE CF 82 in Mauritius, anticipation is soaring as fighters brought intensity and thrilled the crowd during the staredowns.

In anticipation of their main event clash on Saturday night, Bantamweight world champion Nkosi Ndebele and former champion Jose ‘Shorty’ Torres engaged in a tense staredown. Ndebele and Torres are set to battle for the title in BRAVE Combat Federation's first-ever trilogy fight, marking a pivotal moment in African MMA history.

Following the face-off with his rival, Torres expressed confidence in his readiness for the fight.

“I assembled a team specifically for this bout and I am prepared like never before. If Nkosi wins tomorrow, he will have defeated the best Jose Torres ever,” Torres remarked after the staredown.

Ndebele, surrounded by supporters after the staredowns, spent an extra hour posing for photos with fans who came to show their support. Once the excitement settled, the South African affirmed his focus on closing the chapter with Torres in the cage on Saturday.

“There’s no more talk. Tomorrow, I conclude this chapter. The king is here and I am home,” Nkosi declared.

Adding a touch of flair to the pre-fight rituals, Prince Lolia brought a pillow labeled 'sleep time' to his staredown with Ramazan Gitinov. Lolia's playful yet bold gesture set the tone for their intense face-off, culminating in a clash where Ramazan pushed Lolia.

BRAVE CF 82, taking place in Mauritius on Saturday, May 11, marks the second event of the year for BRAVE Combat Federation following BRAVE CF 81 in Slovenia in April. This event also signifies BRAVE CF's debut in Mauritius, making it the 31st country to host a BRAVE CF event—a world record unmatched by any other organization.