MMA – BRAVE Combat Federation (BRAVE CF), the world’s fastest-growing and most international mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation, returns to Italy this May with another electrifying installment of its acclaimed ‘Road to Brave’ series, delivering a stacked line-up that promises intensity, international flair, and career-defining opportunities.
In collaboration with Power Nation Fighting Championship, the upcoming spectacle is set for May 2 at Auditorium Theatre Concordia in the commune of Pordenone. Building on the resounding success of its previous editions in 2024 and 2025, which drew a sold-out audience, this year’s showcase raises the bar even higher with a deeper roster and heightened stakes.
Headlining the event, Moldovan standout and BRAVE CF veteran Andrian ‘The Lion’ Murug collides with Tunisian champion Saif Eddin Riahi in a compelling welterweight encounter, with both athletes aiming to capture the attention of the BRAVE CF front office.
On the other hand, the co-main event features Italy’s Cristian Brinzan squaring off against Senegalese wrestler Sane ‘Insane’ Nithiya in another welterweight clash.
Meanwhile, Italian strawweight titleholder Riccardo ‘Shardana’ Pala meets Tunisia’s Laabidi Bechir in a pivotal contest.
The card also showcases a dynamic mix of styles and rising prospects. Italian contenders Maja De Luca and Maura Brunello collide in a bout with major implications for the BRAVE CF women’s rankings.
Tiziano Casalino brings his Muay Thai arsenal against Piersanto Paderno, while India’s Anuj Dejat tests his wrestling against the striking precision of Ala Ben Whida.
In the middleweight division, former judo champions Daniele De Luca and Massimiliano Pedrini go head-to-head in a clash of grappling pedigree.
Adding further depth are two high-level amateur matchups featuring future stars. IMMAF junior middleweight world champion Daniel Bucur faces Slovenian kickboxing champion Jovic Petar, while Ukrainian standout Hiorhii Dudka meets Tunisian amateur champion Ajili Mohamed Amine in a lightweight showdown.
As of 2025, BRAVE CF has cemented its status as the most-hosted MMA organisation in Europe, having staged events across 17 nations. This milestone was achieved through its ambitious ‘Year of the BRAVE’ campaign, which saw the promotion expand its footprint with landmark events across the continent.
The Bahrain-based combat sports promotion made its debut in Switzerland with BRAVE CF 94 in Geneva, marking its 17th European host nation, before returning to Spain for BRAVE CF 95 in Tenerife. Its continued investment in Eastern Europe included events in Bulgaria and Slovenia, while a historic card in Georgia, further extended its reach by connecting Europe with Asia.
BRAVE CF’s expansive European presence now spans key regions, with England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Northern Ireland, and Switzerland in the west and north; Austria, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain in central and southern Europe; and Belarus, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Serbia across Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
With its return to Italy, BRAVE CF carries its momentum into 2026, reaffirming its mission to provide a global platform for elite talent and to elevate the sport to unprecedented heights.
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