Zimbabwe’s Nicholas Hwende to fight Ukraine’s Omar Solomanov in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Nicholas Hwende, 30, of Zimbabwe and South Africa will be in Kazakhstan soon. He will fight Omar Solomanov, 33, of Odessa, Ukraine in the 105th event of BRAVE Combat Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Seef, Bahrain.

Hwende was born and raised in Gokwe North District, Midlands, Zimbabwe. He is training out of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Nicholas Hwende vs Omar Solomanov

The international spotlight for MMA will once again shine on Central Asia as BRAVE CF returns to Kazakhstan for a monumental event. On May 31, 2026, the organization will host “BRAVE CF 105” at the historic Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty.

Produced in collaboration with the Alash Pride League, this event marks the promotion’s fourth visit to the nation since 2017, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s pivotal position in the global expansion of BRAVE CF. Following the momentum of “BRAVE CF 103” in Uzbekistan, this upcoming card aims to bridge the gap between regional talent and the international stage.

The main event features a high-stakes battle for the vacant BRAVE CF featherweight world championship between Hwende and Solomanov. The latter is the promotion’s interim champion in the same division.

For Hwende, this bout represents a career-defining opportunity to become only the second athlete in the promotion’s history to capture world titles in two different weight classes. He previously made history as a bantamweight world champion before suffering a loss to Borislav Nikolic in 2025. Since that setback, he has rebounded with a dominant performance at “BRAVE CF 98” against Xie Bin.

As Hwende prepares for this five-round clash, he is focused on cementing his status in the sport. Regarding the magnitude of the upcoming title fight, he reflected, “Moments like this are what every fighter dreams of. To become a two-division World Champion in BRAVE CF would be historic, but I am not just chasing history, I am chasing proof that I belong among the very best who have ever stepped into this sport.”

Solomanov brings a professional record of 14 wins and 3 losses, including eight knockouts. Having secured interim gold in September 2025, the Ukrainian MMA champion is a formidable obstacle in Hwende’s path.

Despite acknowledging Solomanov’s credentials, Hwende remains unshakable in his resolve. The Zimbabwean MMA fighter said, “I respect what Omar Solomanov has achieved, but respect does not mean hesitation. He is just another man standing in the way of what I want, and I have never been the type to step aside for anyone.”

With a professional record of 10-2, Hwende is entering the cage with clear intent, viewing “BRAVE CF 105” as the ultimate validation of his abilities. He shared, “This is not about prediction or promise. This is a warning. I am coming to impose myself, to break resistance, and to show that no challenge is too great when I step into that cage.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YQKWJiEojI&t=4s

Zimbabwe’s Nicholas Hwende to fight for BRAVE CF featherweight title in Almaty

Nicholas Hwende, 30, is a former bantamweight world champion of BRAVE Combat Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Seef, Bahrain. Born and raised in Gokwe North District, Midlands, Zimbabwe, he is training out of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

“BRAVE CF 105”

The global MMA spotlight returns to Central Asia as BRAVE CF prepares for its highly anticipated return to Kazakhstan. Scheduled for May 31, 2026, “BRAVE CF 105” will take over the iconic Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty. Organized in partnership with the Alash Pride League, this landmark event marks BRAVE CF’s fourth venture into the country since its inaugural visit in 2017, underscoring Kazakhstan’s vital role in the organization’s international expansion.

Following the success of “BRAVE CF 103” in Uzbekistan, this upcoming extravaganza aims to further bridge the gap between regional excellence and the global stage. While full fight cards will be unveiled in the coming weeks, fans can expect a stacked lineup featuring top-tier local talent. Among the high-profile homegrown athletes expected to electrify the passionate Almaty crowd are top-ranked flyweight contender Dias “Son of the Steppes” Yerengaipov and former world title challenger Rauan “Shymyr” Bekbolat.

By blending elite international title fights with a platform for regional heroes, “BRAVE CF 105” is shaping up to be a historic night that honors Kazakhstan’s deep-rooted combat sports culture while delivering world-class action inside the cage.

Omar Solomanov vs Nicholas Hwende

Headlining “BRAVE CF 105” are Hwende and BRAVE CF Interim Featherweight World Champion Omar Solomanov, 33, of Odessa, Ukraine. They will compete for the vacant featherweight championship title.

This is Hwende’s second chance to be a BRAVE CF champion again. On December 13, 2024, he dethroned then BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Champion Nkosi Ndebele of Diepsloot, Gauteng, South Africa via unanimous decision at “BRAVE CF 91” at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town, Bahrain, making the winner the second African MMA fighter to become a BRAVE CF champion.

But on June 7, 2025, Hwende lost the title after losing via technical submission to Borislav Nikolic of Belgrade, Serbia at “BRAVE CF 96” at Hala Tivoli in Ljubljana, Slovenia. On September 19, 2025, the Zimbabwean MMA fighter bounced back by beating Xie Bin of Shanghai, China via unanimous decision at “BRAVE CF 98” at the Henan TV Studio 8 in Zhengzhou, Henan, China.

Currently, Hwende holds a professional MMA record of 10 wins and 2 losses. Solomanov has 14 wins and 3 losses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YQKWJiEojI

Odessa’s Omar Solomanov to fight for BRAVE CF featherweight title in Almaty

Omar Solomanov, 33, of Odessa, Ukraine is the reigning interim featherweight world champion of BRAVE Combat Federation, which is based in Seef, Bahrain. His next bout will be in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1288436740127984&set=pb.100068850106530.-2207520000&type=3

“BRAVE CF 105”

BRAVE CF will hold its 105th event at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty on May 31, 2026. It is the promotion’s fourth event held in Kazakhstan since its inaugural visit in 2017, underscoring the country’s vital role in the organization’s international expansion.

“BRAVE CF 105” is organized in partnership with the Alash Pride League. Following the success of “BRAVE CF 103” in Uzbekistan, this upcoming extravaganza aims to further bridge the gap between regional excellence and the global stage.

The complete “BRAVE CF 105” card has yet to be announced. Dias “Son of the Steppes” Yerengaipov and Rauan “Shymyr” Bekbolat are among the hometown fighters expected to compete.

Omar Solomanov vs Nicholas Hwende

Headlining “BRAVE CF 105” is a pivotal main event that promises to redefine the featherweight division. Solomanov will face off against former BRAVE CF bantamweight titleholder Nicholas Hwende, 30, of Zimbabwe and South Africa for the vacant, undisputed 145-pound crown.

For Solomanov, this bout is the ultimate culmination of a grueling, experience-driven journey. The Ukrainian standout solidified his position at the top of the division in September 2025 at “BRAVE CF 98” where he captured the interim title via a dominant five-round, unanimous decision victory over local rival Rauan Bekbolat.

Now holding an impressive 14-3 professional record—boasting eight knockouts and three submissions—Solomanov has won five of his last six bouts using a signature blend of calculated aggression, surgical precision and cool composure under pressure. Rather than viewing this fight as just another accolade, he sees it as a definitive moment of validation. He is driven by a desire to shed his interim status and establish absolute clarity at the top of the weight class.

“Every fight at this level strips away illusion,” Solomanov stated. “I have carried the interim designation long enough. On May 31, I intend to leave no ambiguity and take my place as the true champion of this division. I have proven myself repeatedly against elite opposition. I am here to erase any perception that I am anything less than the man who rules this division.”

Mohammed Shahid

The significance of the event extends far beyond the main event. BRAVE CF president Mohammed Shahid emphasized the organization’s deep enthusiasm for returning to a nation with such a rich martial arts heritage.

“Returning to Kazakhstan is something we are truly excited about,” Shahid said. “This country has consistently produced elite-level mixed martial artists with incredible potential. Our goal is to continue exploring that talent pool and provide a platform where deserving athletes can shine and establish themselves on the global stage. Kazakhstan remains a key destination in our vision for the sport.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjGKz511CMg

Get ready for a historic MMA event in Austria! BRAVE CF 90 features a blockbuster main event and co-main event with Austria's Muslim Danaev taking on Chequina Noso Pedro of the Netherlands.

#mma #bravecf #bravecombatfederation

https://www.fightbookmma.com/brave-cf-90-blockbuster-main-event-revealed-for-austria-debut/

Discover the captivating voice of Phil Campbell, the commentator for Brave Combat Federation. Explore his journey and unique ability to connect with fans and fighters.

#mma #bravecf #CombatSportsNews ##bravecombat #bravecombatfederation

https://www.fightbookmma.com/an-inside-look-at-phil-campbell-the-commentator-of-brave-combat-federation/

Experience the excitement of BRAVE CF 89 in Spain, featuring an epic battle between Anuar Bensayid and Sino Sabzaliev, a potential Fight of the Year contender.

#mma #bravecf #combatsportsnews

https://www.fightbookmma.com/brave-cf-89-bensayid-vs-sabzaliev-a-legendary-fight-of-the-year-candidate/

The New Brazilian Storm is here! Luiz Cado becomes sixth BRAVE CF world champion from Brazil

#mma #ufc #CombatSportsNews ##bravecf #bravecombatfederation

https://www.fightbookmma.com/the-new-brazilian-storm-is-here-luiz-cado-becomes-sixth-brave-cf-world-champion-from-brazil/

Read all about the historic fight card at BRAVE CF 89. Luiz Cado emerges as the new champion in a dramatic fashion.

#bravecf #bravecombatfederation #mma #CombatSportsNews

https://www.fightbookmma.com/brave-cf-89-results/

Get ready for an action-packed night of MMA as BRAVE CF returns to Spain with BRAVE CF 89. Witness the first-ever world title fight on Spanish soil!

#bravecf #bravecombatfederation #mma

https://www.fightbookmma.com/brave-cf-89-start-time-where-to-watch-and-more/

Discover the inspiring journey of Carlos Kremer: from military service to becoming a successful MMA ring announcer.

#mma #theroaringlioncarloskremer #CombatSportsNews #bravecf #bravecombatfederation

https://www.fightbookmma.com/carlos-kremer-the-journey-of-a-veteran-and-mma-ring-announcer/