Pakistani Fighter Ismail Khan Set for BRAVE CF 85 Debut Against Kazakh Champion

LockerRoom Team

18 Aug 2024

Pakistani MMA star Ismail Khan is set to make his BRAVE Combat Federation debut at BRAVE CF 85 on August 18, facing Kazakh wrestling champion Bagylan Zahakansha in Lahore.

Khan, who has been a standout since his amateur career, is excited about this homecoming fight. He made history by earning Pakistan’s first world medal in IMMAF and secured local titles upon turning professional.

Known as "The Volcano," Khan’s journey into MMA was unexpected. Initially a football hopeful, Khan’s path shifted when his coach moved to the UAE in 2016. With no coaching available, he stumbled upon a neighbor practicing shadow boxing, which led him to join KAK’s Fight Club in Rawalpindi. Under head coach Nasir Khan, he began his martial arts training.

Khan’s potential became apparent after his first kickboxing match in 2017. Despite initial skepticism from friends and family, Khan earned their support with a knockout win in just three seconds during his professional debut.

“I didn’t have support until I turned pro and knocked out my opponent in three seconds of the first round,” Khan recalls.

Transitioning to MMA in 2018, Khan went undefeated in the amateur circuit for four years. He represented Pakistan at the 2021 IMMAF World Championships, winning three matches before suffering his first amateur loss. Despite this setback, he secured a bronze medal, marking a historic achievement for Pakistan.

Khan's professional career began with a strong winning streak, though it was not always smooth. In 2022, facing difficulties finding opponents, he considered leaving the sport due to family pressure. However, after discussions with his coaches and family, he received a final opportunity to prove himself. Now, he is set to fight in one of the world’s leading MMA promotions.

BRAVE CF 85 will also feature a Featherweight showdown between Omar Solomanov and Rauan Bekbolat and highlight the historic India vs. Pakistan rivalry. This will be the second BRAVE CF event held in Pakistan.