Kirik Jenness, Luan Santiago, João Vitor Xavier (© Brave Combat Federation)

Luan “Miau” Santiago, 24, was one of the three new Brave Combat Federation champions crowned at “Brave 23: Pride and Honor” at the Martyr Rashid Al-Ziyoud Hall Boxing Arena in Amman, Jordan on April 19, 2019. Fighting out of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, he became the new lightweight champion of the Bahrain-based mixed martial arts promotion.

“I always say that Bahrain is my second home and now I think I have a third home,” Santiago in his post-fight cage interview with Kirik Jenness through João Vitor Xavier as the translator. “From the moment I stepped in Jordan, everyone has been so nice and welcoming and I’ve been blown away by the support you guys give your fighters. I would like to fight here one day again but this time, I will want you all behind me!”.

Santiago fulfilled his promise to become the new Brave CF Lightweight World Champion with a stunning first-round knockout of former titleholder Abdul-Kareem “Pride of Palestine” Al-Selwady, 23, of Jordan at “Brave 23: Pride and Honor.” He made true on his prediction to finish the bout in the first  4 minutes by knocking out the defending champion with a vicious spinning elbow that went viral on social media.

It only took the Santiago 2 minutes and 54 seconds to snatch the belt from the hometown favorite. After the bout, the Brazilian challenger expressed his admiration for his fallen foe and talked about the great experience he had in Jordan, which received some applause from the disappointed crowd.

“This fight, I tried to not do so much trash talking as I normally do due to the fact that I consider Al-Selwady to be a great competitor,” Santiago said. “It was the first time that I fought someone with such immense support. Practically all of Jordan supports him.”

“I’d like everyone to give him a round of applause,” the new Brave CF Lightweight World Champion continued. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. He’s done a great job with Brave.”

Moreover, Santiago praised the Jordanian fans for their support for MMA. He now has 4 wins and 1 loss in Brave CF with the only loss coming from his fellow Brazilian fighter Lucas “Mineiro” Martins, 30, on April 13, 2018 at “Brave 11” in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. They were fighting for the Interim Brave CF Lightweight Championship title.

At the time, Santiago was winning the fight on the judges’ scorecards. However, Martins scored a late takedown and his opponent ended up injuring his elbow and losing the bout and the belt.

Meanwhile, here is Santiago and his crowning as the new Brave CF Lightweight World Champion: