BRAVE CF 89 delivered a night to remember as Irish sensation Gerard Burns proved himself as a dual-division threat, defeating Santiago Paiva in dominant fashion at 135 pounds and remaining undefeated in the promotion. While his grappling masterclass impressed fans, it was Burns’ bold callout that stole the show, potentially reigniting an Ireland vs. Dagestan rivalry by challenging the undefeated Muhammad Mokaev.
Entering BRAVE CF 89, Burns had already racked up two consecutive first-round knockout wins in the Flyweight division. This time, stepping up to Bantamweight, Burns showcased his superior grappling against Paiva, a BJJ black belt and submission specialist, extending his winning streak to five with another statement victory.
In a move rarely seen inside the cage, Burns boldly called out Mokaev while controlling Paiva on the ground, saying, "I only know one guy, and it's the little bald guy who has no respect for himself—Muhammad Mokaev. You are being handed to me on a plate, bro, and I am going to eat it. Let's go!"
Burns had promised pre-fight to "humble" Mokaev and called him "easy work." With victories in both Flyweight and Bantamweight divisions, Burns is now positioning himself as a prime contender to face Mokaev upon his return to the BRAVE CF cage.
BRAVE CF 89, held in Spain on October 19, made history as the first event to host an MMA world title fight on Spanish soil. It also marked the conclusion of BRAVE CF's "Around the World in 70 Days" tour, which spanned six events across six countries and two continents.
Will this bold challenge ignite the next big rivalry between Ireland and Dagestan in the MMA world? Fans are eagerly waiting for an official response from Mokaev and BRAVE CF.