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Irish standout Gerard “The Animal” Burns is fired up to carve his name in mixed martial arts history in the co-main event of BRAVE 100 on Friday, November 7. There, the 29-year-old is penciled to collide with Muhammad “The Punisher” Mokaev for the inaugural BRAVE CF Flyweight World Championship, a highly anticipated five-round encounter that will emanate live from Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town, Bahrain. This isn’t just another fight for Burns — it’s personal. The Dublin native carries the weight of an entire nation eager to see Ireland finally triumph in its long-standing MMA rivalry with Dagestan. From the infamous clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor in 2018 to the two recent battles pitting Paul Hughes against Usman Nurmagomedov, the Irish have come up short in their bids to topple Dagestan’s elite. At next week, Burns is determined to end that drought. “No Irishman has beaten a Dagestani fighter in a World Title fight, and that’s been eating at me,” he declared. “That ends with me. I’m bringing that win home for Ireland, no question about it.” For two years, one name has been etched in Burns’ mind — Mokaev. The undefeated Dagestani-born sensation, who was raised in England, has long been seen as an unstoppable force in the flyweight division. However, “The Animal” has been plotting his path to this moment, even making his intentions clear mid-fight during his dominant victory over Santhiago “Galo Doido” Paiva at last year — calling out Mokaev while maintaining back control. “I’ve wanted Mokaev for the longest time,” Burns said. “He’s the guy everyone says can’t be beaten, and I want to prove that wrong. This fight isn’t just another matchup; it’s the one I’ve been preparing for my whole career.” BRAVE CF President Mohammed Shahid believes that if Burns can prevail over an unbeaten phenom like Mokaev, it would send shockwaves through the global MMA scene and redefine Irish representation in the sport. “No Irishman has overcome and beaten a Dagestani fighter in a World Title fight at this caliber,” Shahid said in a recent podcast. “If Gerard Burns comes to the Kingdom of Bahrain and gets that win in front of his friends and loved ones, I think Gerard Burns is going to be the new face of Irish mixed martial arts.” Stay Connected with BRAVE Combat Federation We invite you to explore, engage, and experience the world of BRAVE CF Official Website: www.bravecf.com BRAVE CF TV: Download on Android & iOS or watch.bravecftv.com/ Connect with Our Global Community Instagram: www.instagram.com/bravemmaf Facebook: www.facebook.com/bravemmaf YouTube: www.youtube.com/bravemmaf Twitter: www.twitter.com/bravemmaf TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bravemmaf Exclusive Insights and Professional Access Newsletter: bravecf.com/newsletter Media Accreditation: bravecf.com/media-accreditation ABOUT BRAVE COMBAT FEDERATION BRAVE Combat Federation, founded in 2016, is the fastest-growing MMA organization globally, dedicated to transforming mixed martial arts from an event-driven business into a comprehensive sports ecosystem. With a vision to provide fighters worldwide a platform to showcase their talents, BRAVE CF has hosted 100+ events across a record-breaking 38 countries. The organization boasts the world’s largest MMA development program, featuring over 900 fighters from 90+ nations, supporting athletes from grassroots to professional stardom. BRAVE CF actively supports efforts for SportsAccord recognition and potential Olympic inclusion of MMA.
