Brave Combat Federation returns to Kazakhstan for the fourth time in the history of the promotion. They partner with the questionable Alash Pride to give us a lengthy card at 4 a.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, May 31st. The prelims are a bit lackluster, but the main card is sure to be fun, as not only are there prospects, there is tons of Kazakh talent for the crowd to cheer for. I will break down a few fighters and matchups to look forward to on the 105 edition of Brave CF.
Kurban Idrisov 28, 8-0, 163 – BahrainÂ
Kurban Idrisov is a former IMMAF senior world champion and now is shining on the pro scene. He boasts a 100% finish rate, with 5 wins via TKO and 3 via Submission.
Coming off a head kick TKO last time out at Brave 104 vs. Artem Buloychik on February 14th this year, Kurban is a wrestle-first power striker who uses pressure to get his opponent thinking about everything. He likes to shoot for takedowns early and look for the ground and pound TKO. He likes high-flying slams and flashy strikes – which makes his wrestling just as fun to watch, as you know he is just going to his first weapon. He is not content to wrestle his way to victory, he looks for strikes or submissions. So far to date, he has ended every fight in the 1st round.
Dias Yerengaipov 31, 17-3, 132 – KazakhstanÂ
The 31-year-old is a bit up in age for our usual cover, but currently Dias is riding a 5-year, 9-fight winning streak that includes winning and defending the belt at Naiza.
A pressure wrestler who is keen to lay on you, he wins his fights by control and grinding his opponents out. His gas tank seems to be on his side, as he is able to keep moving on the feet even later in the rounds, avoiding big strikes from oftentimes better strikers. His striking is a bit awkward and is definitely not his strong suit. Despite his wins coming from an even 6, 6, 6 for TKOs, Subs, and Decisions, in recent times he has only won by Decision. This proves to me that he is able to win on the judges’ score cards at the higher levels, but not find a finish on the tougher guys.
Since his last loss in 2019, Dias has been a man on a mission. He’s someone I wouldn’t mind seeing in a major organization like Rizin at some point. This fight though should be pretty easy, as instead of a massive test in Ismail Khan (who is quite the prospect himself) he is fighting the 23-21-1 Ryskulbek Ibraimov from Kyrgystan. Currently on an 8-fight skid, Ibraimov should not cause Yerengaipov many issues.
Zhanibek Tynyshtyk 8-0 vs. Asylbek Rustambek Uulu 6-1 – 135Â
Before I talk about the matchup, I watched both Zhanibek fights that were flagged by Tapology, and both are definitely legit.
This Kazakhstan vs. Kyrgyzstan matchup is sure to be fun, as I believe each guy is in their late to mid 20’s and have some really good wins and styles. Despite being a wrestle-heavy guy, Zhanibek is always looking for a finish, and he proves this with only one win coming by decision in just his 2nd pro fight. Zhanibek also had a decent amateur career, securing an IMMAF title and ending on a 7-fight win streak. This, though, will be his first fight outside of Naiza and Alash Pride.
On the other side of the equation, Asylbek Rustambek Uulu is coming off a loss to surging prospect Anis Yoqubov by flying knee in just 32 seconds. This, though, was all the way back in 2023, meaning he has been out for almost 3 years! Asylbek actually started his pro career back in 2017, where he would go 6-0 with 5 of those wins by TKO.
Like his opponent, he would only stay in regional shows, and Rustambek did fall short in his major organization debut, which was the Flying Knee KO at ACA 161. Asylbek is a striker first and likes to throw an array of strikes. His wrestling isn’t bad and shows that he can improve even after getting dominated on the ground in the first. In his title fight at OFC 20, his opponent won the first round, but Uulu came out in the 2nd to get his own takedown and then controlled the Russian for the whole round, basically saying, “Hey, I’m awake now.” Uulu trains with top-tier talent in Kyrgystan, so I doubt he will be a fish out of water in his return, but the first round will defintely be an uphill battle, especially versus a guy with 4 first-round finishes.
Honorable Mentions
Omar Solomanov (Interim Champ 14-3) vs Nicholas Hwende (11-2) – 145Â
The Ukrainian Omar Solomanov was on a long 11-fight win streak until running into Rauan Bekbolat back at Brave CF 85. Omar would lose in the 3rd round via Guillotine Choke. However, after getting a win back, he would face off against Rauan again. This time around though, the Interim Featherweight belt would be on the line, and Omar Solomanov would win via decision.
Now at 33, the Ukrainian is defending the Interim belt against the always-tough Zimbabwean, Nichola Hwende. Hwende is 1-1 in his last two with a loss to Borislav Nikolić and a unanimous decision victory last time out against Bin Xie, who just earned his ticket to the semi-finals of the 2026 Road to UFC tournament. This is a high-level fight that I expect to the go the distance, and in a close fight I think Omar will win on the judges’ scorecards.
Nizambek Abdrashitov (11-3) vs Artur Arutyunyan (11-4) – 155Â
After taking Ramazan Gitinov to close split decision, the Armenian Artur Arutyunyan faces off against Nizambek Abdrashitov out of Kyrgystan in what I assume will be a fun fight that could take place mostly on the ground, as Nizambek will probably look to take it there. However, I do think Artur has the tools to find a finish on both the feet and the ground, so I just wonder how Nizambek will fair with that.
