Srinagar, Aug. 2: Kashmiri mixed martial artist Owais Yaqoob delivered the biggest victory of his professional career by knocking out previously unbeaten Bulgarian fighter Delyan Georgiev in the first round at BRAVE CF 107 in Burgas, Bulgaria. The emphatic victory extended Yaqoob’s winning run and further established him as one of India’s rising MMA stars.
Competing in the lightweight division, the Pulwama-born fighter dominated the contest from the opening bell, overwhelming Georgiev with a barrage of punches before the referee stopped the bout late in the opening round, handing the Bulgarian his first professional defeat. Official records list the result as a first-round TKO by punches.
Yaqoob, who trains at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) under renowned coaches Javier Mendez and former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, improved his professional record to 6-1 with the win. The victory also marked his third straight stoppage in BRAVE Combat Federation after impressive performances in previous outings.
The bout had been billed as one of the featured attractions of BRAVE CF 107, with Georgiev entering the contest undefeated on home soil. However, Yaqoob silenced the local crowd with a dominant striking display, showcasing his speed and power against the former IMMAF world champion.
The victory is another milestone for the 27-year-old from Murran village in south Kashmir, who has emerged as one of India’s leading mixed martial artists on the international circuit. His recent performances have strengthened his reputation as a serious contender in the BRAVE CF lightweight division.
