Indian MMA fighter Owais Yaqoob made history on August 1 after stopping previously unbeaten Bulgarian Delyan Georgiev via first-round technical knockout (TKO) at BRAVE CF 107 in Burgas, Bulgaria. The victory made him the first professional MMA fighter from Jammu & Kashmir to win under the BRAVE Combat Federation banner and marked the biggest win of his career.
Owais Yaqoob’s BRAVE CF 107 Victory
Indian mixed martial artist Owais Yaqoob delivered a statement performance at BRAVE CF 107 on August 1, 2026, defeating Bulgaria’s Delyan Georgiev via first-round TKO at Burgas Arena in Burgas, Bulgaria.
Yaqoob needed only around four minutes to overwhelm Georgiev with relentless pressure and precise striking before the referee stopped the contest. The win was particularly significant as Georgiev entered the fight unbeaten and was a two-time IMMAF Amateur World Champion. He is also known as a regular training partner of UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria, making him one of the toughest opponents Yaqoob has faced.
The victory improved Yaqoob’s professional record to 6-1 and is widely regarded as the defining performance of his career.
Why This BRAVE CF Win Matters
Yaqoob’s victory carries significance beyond the result itself.
He became the first professional MMA fighter from Jammu & Kashmir to win under the globally recognised BRAVE Combat Federation, one of the world’s leading MMA promotions.
Defeating an undefeated European prospect with an elite amateur résumé has also strengthened his reputation as one of India’s most promising MMA athletes and placed him firmly on the radar of major international promotions.
The achievement sparked celebrations across Jammu & Kashmir, with leaders and sports enthusiasts congratulating the Pulwama-born fighter for putting the region on the global MMA map.
BRAVE CF 107 itself featured dramatic moments, including late changes to the main event after Nemanja Kovač withdrew, while replacement fighter Salim El Ouassaidi upset hometown favourite Kaloyan Kolev despite missing weight.
For hardcore MMA fans, Yaqoob’s bout also represented a fascinating clash between two celebrated training systems. Georgiev came from the camp surrounding Ilia Topuria, while Yaqoob entered after extensive training in Dagestan alongside fighters linked to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.
From Pulwama To Professional MMA
Born in Murran village in Pulwama district of South Kashmir, Yaqoob began his martial arts journey around 2012-13. He initially trained in Thang Ta, before moving to taekwondo and kickboxing, eventually finding his passion in mixed martial arts after watching Khabib Nurmagomedov compete in the UFC.
Before turning professional, he built an impressive amateur résumé, winning 11 national gold medals, six silver medals, and a bronze medal at the 2022 WEKAF World Championships in the Philippines.
Despite growing up in a region with limited MMA infrastructure, coaching and recognition, Yaqoob remained determined to compete internationally. His journey reflects years of persistence rather than overnight success.
Dagestan Training Fueled Rise
Seeking to improve his wrestling and grappling, Yaqoob travelled to Dagestan, Russia, one of the world’s most respected MMA training hubs. There, he trained at the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School of MMA and within the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) network, sharpening the skills that would elevate his professional career.
His rise has been steady. In March 2024, he defeated Afghanistan’s Mohammad Azam Mokhlis at Matrix Fight Night 14. In September 2025, he handed previously unbeaten Filipino fighter Ian Paul “Choco” Lora his first professional loss at BRAVE CF 98. His dominant victory over Georgiev at BRAVE CF 107 now stands as the biggest win of his career.
Away from competition, Yaqoob has also established the Lion’s Den Martial Arts Academy in Pulwama, aiming to help young athletes access the opportunities he lacked while growing up.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While many reports have focused on the knockout and Georgiev’s unbeaten record, Yaqoob’s story is equally about building opportunity where none existed.
Coming from a region with little MMA infrastructure, he sought world-class training abroad before returning to inspire the next generation through his academy in Pulwama. His journey highlights how determination, access to quality coaching and global exposure can transform talent into international success.
As Indian MMA continues to grow, Yaqoob’s BRAVE CF 107 victory is more than a personal milestone. It shows that athletes from smaller towns and underrepresented regions can compete with the world’s best—and, through mentorship, create pathways for many others to follow.
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