Two Years in the Making
For two long years, Irish MMA powerhouse Gerard “The Animal” Burns has had one name etched in his mind — Muhammad “The Punisher” Mokaev.
Now, that long-awaited moment has arrived.
On Friday, November 7, inside Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town, Bahrain, Burns will finally step into the cage with the undefeated phenom in the co-main event of BRAVE 100, where the inaugural BRAVE CF Flyweight World Championship will be on the line.
The Dream Fight Burns Has Been Chasing
When Burns joined BRAVE Combat Federation in 2023, he made his mission clear — it wasn’t just about chasing gold.
His goal was personal: to test himself against the best flyweight in the world, Muhammad Mokaev.
“This is the fight I’ve wanted from the moment I signed with BRAVE CF,” Burns said. “I’ve watched Mokaev dominate, but now it’s my turn to put my hands on him and see how he handles me.”
The Rise of “The Punisher”
Born in Dagestan and raised in England, Mokaev carries an aura of invincibility.
With a flawless 15-0 professional record, he’s built a reputation as a relentless grappler with a suffocating pace and clinical precision.
His résumé includes seven submission wins and two knockouts, proof of his ability to finish fights in any position.
Before turning pro, he dominated the amateur scene as a two-time IMMAF World Champion (2019 & 2020) — a feat that set the stage for his meteoric rise.
Mokaev’s first BRAVE CF run saw him win four of five fights, immediately marking him as the man to beat in the division.
After a short stint outside the promotion, he returned with a bang in December 2024, submitting Joevincent So in the first round with a nasty D’Arce choke — a chilling reminder of why many call him one of the most complete mixed martial artists alive.
“The Animal” on the Hunt
But Burns is no stranger to the grind.
Since his BRAVE CF debut, the 29-year-old Irishman has bulldozed his way up the rankings with a blend of aggression, grit, and heart. masturbate RedQueen
He opened his run with back-to-back first-round finishes, followed by two more dominant victories.
His latest, a unanimous decision win over Alinson “El Chompiras” Ochoa at BRAVE CF 97, cemented his place among the elite.
And Burns has never been shy about his intentions. During his fight with Santhiago “Galo Doido” Paiva at BRAVE CF 89, he called out Mokaev mid-fight — while controlling his opponent’s back. That kind of confidence has become his signature.
“I’ve worked for this moment,” Burns said. “I’ve climbed the ranks, fought whoever they put in front of me, and earned my spot. Mokaev’s a phenomenal fighter, no doubt. But I’m coming to give him the toughest test of his life. I’m not here just to compete; I’m here to take that belt.”
Can Burns Shock the World?
While the odds clearly favor Mokaev, Burns believes he has the tools — and the mindset — to pull off the biggest upset in BRAVE CF history.
“People act like he can’t be beaten,” he said. “But at the end of the day, he’s human. He can bleed, he can make mistakes, and he can lose. I plan to be the man who proves it.”
BRAVE 100 promises fireworks — a clash of styles, stories, and destinies.
On November 7, the cage won’t just decide who becomes the first-ever BRAVE CF Flyweight World Champion — it’ll reveal whether “The Animal” can tame “The Punisher.”
