ON-A-ROLL Rolando “Dy Incredible” Dy of the Philippines returns to Brave Combat Federation (CF) action and is looking to prove further his worth as a title contender in the promotion’s lightweight division.
Mr. Dy, 29, sporting a 14-9-1 record, is to take on Abdysalam Kubanychiev of Kyrgyzstan in the headlining fight for “Brave CF 47: Asian Domination” on March 11 in Bahrain.
The reigning Brave Fighter of the Year stakes his two-fight winning streak in the contest which serves as an eliminator, with the winner having a shot at the title currently held by Frenchman Amin Ayoub.
Given what is at stake, Mr. Dy, son of Filipino boxing legend Rolando Navarette, said he will do everything he can to come out on top in the fight.
“I know what’s at stake in this fight. It’s my dream, the dream of fighting for the title. That’s on the line here. I am here to fight for it. I believe I deserve that title shot, and the best way to show everyone that I am real the title contender is by winning. That’s the only option,” he said.
He acknowledged that Mr. Abdysalam (16-2) will be no easy opponent as attested by his nine-fight winning streak, making the fight all the more significant for him.
“Abdysalam, in my opinion, is the toughest fighter I will ever face in my career. He is a top-rated fighter in his country and in Russia. If you have that kind of rating as a fighter, it means you’re a monster. I consider this fight as a very important fight,” Mr. Dy said.
He went on to share that entering the fight they are confident, thanks to having a full training camp, something his team hopes to pay dividends for them.
“Unlike my last two fights, I have a full training camp this time around. I am 100% ready. I will try my best to be the more active fighter. If there’s a chance to finish the fight in the first round, I will take it. If I have to go the distance and dominate him every round, then so be it. I will give everything I have to win.”
Mr. Dy finished 2020 strong after months of limited activity because of the restrictions forced by the pandemic.
He had two straight victories in September and November en route to willing himself as one of the noteworthy fighters in Brave.
Mr. Dy first edged Polish knockout artist Maciej Gierszewski via a split decision then dominated John Brewin of New Zealand to a unanimous decision victory.
LAUSA MAKES BRAVE DEBUT
Meanwhile, also seeing action at Brave CF 47 is Iloilo native Jenel Lausa, who is making a return to mixed martial arts action after three years and is debuting with the promotion.
Thirty-two-year-old Lausa (7-5) will battle Afghanistan’s Rahmatullah Yousufzai.
Mr. Lausa, also a champion boxer, signed a multi-fight contract with the Bahrain-based promotion last month.
He last fought in MMA in 2018 and is looking to do well as he starts fresh with Brave CF. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo