MMA – Serbian mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Borislav ‘Zombee’ Nikolic has officially relinquished the BRAVE CF bantamweight world title as he embarks on a new chapter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
BRAVE Combat Federation (BRAVE CF) proudly congratulated Nikolic on his signing with UFC and on his memorable reign in BRAVE CF, where he helped usher in a new era for one of the promotion’s most competitive divisions.
Since joining BRAVE CF in 2021, Nikolic established himself as one of its premier athletes. Across eight appearances, he earned six victories, consistently proving himself against elite international opposition before reaching the summit of the bantamweight ranks.
His defining moment came at BRAVE CF 96 in June of 2025, where he submitted Nicholas ‘The Saint’ Hwende with a spectacular fourth-round ninja choke to capture the division’s most coveted prize.
Five months later, ‘Zombee’ further cemented his legacy by successfully defending the crown in the main event of the historic BRAVE 100 extravaganza, stopping Hamza ‘The Pride of Bahrain’ Kooheji via fourth-round technical knockout.
His final appearance under the BRAVE CF banner came this past February at BRAVE CF 104, where he once again showcased his finishing instincts by stopping Matheus Malta in a 64kg catchweight contest.
BRAVE CF president Mohammed Shahid praised Nikolic for his remarkable contributions while wishing him success in the next stage of his career.
“Borislav’s story is one that everyone at BRAVE Combat Federation is immensely proud of,” said Shahid.
“He embraced every challenge, became a world champion, and represented our promotion with honour throughout his time here.”
“We congratulate him on this opportunity and thank him for the unforgettable moments he created inside our cage.
“While this chapter comes to a close, he should always know that BRAVE CF will forever be his home. We wish him nothing but success.”
Meanwhile, Nikolic expressed his gratitude to the promotion that helped shape his impressive rise in the sport.
“My time with BRAVE CF has been nothing short of incredible,” he said.
“Winning the bantamweight world title is something I will always cherish, and I would not be in this position without the opportunities this organisation gave me.”
“I am thankful to everyone at BRAVE CF and the fans who supported me throughout the years. This promotion will always have a special place in my heart.”
Nikolic’s success further reflects BRAVE CF’s commitment to showcasing world-class athletes and delivering high-level competition across the globe.
Throughout its history, BRAVE CF has scouted and featured some of MMA’s biggest names, including Ilia ‘El Matador’ Topuria, Khamzat ‘Borz’ Chimaev, Benoit ‘God of War’ Saint Denis, Jarrah ‘Jordanian Lion’ Al Silawi, Bubba ‘Bad Man’ Jenkins, and Brad ‘Superman’ Katona.
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