Khabib Nurmagomedov, Stephen Loman (© Brave Combat Federation)

For the second time, reigning Brave Combat Federation Bantamweight Champion Stephen “The Sniper” Loman, 23, of Baguio City, Philippines successfully defended his title. He was crowned by reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov, 30, of Dagestan, Russia.

On November 16, 2018, Nurmagomedov was one of the special guests at “Brave 18: Bahrain,” which took place at he Khalifa Sports City Arena, Isa Town, Bahrain. As a combined event with “WCFA 54” of World Fighting Championship Akhmat, the fight card featured 12 mixed martial arts bouts.

In the 11th bout of the evening, Loman defended his title from Felipe Efrain, 24, of Sao Paulo, Brazil. After five five-minute rounds, the bantamweight championship bout between Loman and Efrain was left in the hands of the judges.

In the end, the referee raised the hand of Loman, who was declared the winner via unanimous decision. It was the reigning Brave CF Bantamweight Champion’s fourth win in Brave CF, which improved his professional MMA record to 11 wins and 2 losses.

Representing Team Lakay of Baguio City, Loman is the youngest reigning champion of Brave CF. He is now the first and the only reigning champion of the promotion with two successful title defenses.

The first time Loman successfully defended his title was at “Brave 13: Europe Evolution” at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland on June 9, 2018. His challenger was Frans “The Black Mamba” Mlambo, 27, of Straight Blast Gym (SBG) Ireland of Dublin, Ireland.

It was a rematch almost two years after Loman defeated Mlambo during the inaugural Brave CF event in Bahrain. The Filipino defending champion won via unanimous decision.

In Loman’s corner at “Brave 13: Europe Evolution” was former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario, 28, of Mankayan, Benguet, Philippines. Former UFC Lightweight Champion Conor “Notorious” McGregor, 30, of Dublin was in Mlambo’s corner.

On October 6, 2018, McGregor challenged Nurmagomedov in the main event of “UFC 229,” which took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The Dagestani defending champion submitted his Irish challenger via rear-naked choke in the fourth round.

Meanwhile, here are Carlos Kremer, Kirik Jenness, Yousef Nassar and Farah Hannoun talking about the”Brave 18: Bahrain” fight card prior to the fight night: