Irish standout Gerard Burns is fired as much as carve his identify in combined martial arts historical past within the co-main occasion 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 extremely anticipated five-round encounter that can emanate stay from Khalifa Sports activities Metropolis in Isa City, Bahrain.
This isn’t simply one other struggle for “The Animal” Burns — it’s private. The Dublin native carries the burden of a whole nation desperate to see Eire lastly triumph in its long-standing MMA rivalry with Dagestan.
From the notorious conflict between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor in 2018 to the 2 current battles pitting Paul Hughes towards Usman Nurmagomedov, the Irish have come up quick of their bids to topple Dagestan’s elite.
At BRAVE 100 subsequent week, Burns is set to finish that drought.
“No Irishman has overwhelmed a Dagestani fighter in a World Title struggle, and that’s been consuming at me,” he declared. “That ends with me. I’m bringing that win dwelling for Eire, no query about it.”
For 2 years, one identify has been etched in Burns’ thoughts — Mokaev.
The undefeated Dagestani-born sensation, who was raised in England, has lengthy been seen as an unstoppable power within the flyweight division.
Nonetheless, “The Animal” has been plotting his path to this second, even making his intentions clear mid-fight throughout his dominant victory over Santhiago “Galo Doido” Paiva at BRAVE CF 89 final yr — calling out Mokaev whereas sustaining again management.
“I’ve wished Mokaev for the longest time,” Burns stated. “He’s the man everybody says can’t be overwhelmed, and I need to show that mistaken. This struggle isn’t simply one other matchup; it’s the one I’ve been making ready for my complete profession.”
BRAVE CF President Mohammed Shahid believes that if Burns can prevail over an unbeaten phenom like Mokaev, it will ship shockwaves by means of the worldwide MMA scene and redefine Irish illustration within the sport.
“No Irishman has overcome and overwhelmed a Dagestani fighter in a World Title struggle at this caliber,” Shahid stated in a current podcast.
“If Gerard Burns involves the Kingdom of Bahrain and will get that win in entrance of his associates and family members, I believe Gerard Burns goes to be the brand new face of Irish combined martial arts.”
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