Camille Naredo

Stephen Loman and Nicholas Hwende. Handout/BRAVE CF

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BRAVE CF

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765352127516image.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Stephen Loman and Nicholas Hwende. Handout/BRAVE CF" width="960"/>Stephen Loman and Nicholas Hwende. Handout/BRAVE CF</div>MANILA -- A former champion has stepped up to challenge Stephen Loman, who is set to make his return to BRAVE Combat Federation after four years away from the promotion.Nicholas Hwende, a former BRAVE CF bantamweight world champion, is already calling for a showdown with Loman after the Filipino signed a multi-fight deal with the fast-growing organization.&quot;He&#x27;s a veteran in the business, and I would love to welcome him with open arms and also share the cage with him one day,&quot; Hwende said.Loman, 30, is one of the promotion&#x27;s celebrated pioneers, having debuted at its inaugural event in September 2016.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/12/3/mma-stephen-loman-set-for-brave-cf-comeback-1200">READ: Stephen Loman set for BRAVE CF comeback</a></div>&quot;The Sniper&quot; holds a perfect 6-0 record in BRAVE CF.One of the defining moments of Loman&#x27;s career came at BRAVE CF 9: THE KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS in November 2017 when he claimed the inaugural BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Title with a first-round technical knockout of Gurdarshan &quot;Saint Lion&quot; Mangat.He went on to occupy the throne for an extraordinary 1,179 days, successfully defending it four times. His reign included a memorable fourth-round knockout of former BRAVE CF Featherweight World Champion Elias &quot;Smile&quot; Boudegzdame at the Mall of Asia Arena in March 2019.Now representing Lions Nation MMA, Loman begins a new chapter with the Bahrain-based outfit as he sets his sights on reclaiming the bantamweight crown.His return bout is expected in 2026, where a path toward reigning divisional king Borislav Nikolić awaits.However, Hwende also has unfinished business with Nikolić, who defeated him for the intricately crafted belt at BRAVE CF 96 this past June.Currently ranked as the No. 1 contender in the division, the Zimbabwean sensation believes that a win over Loman would put him in pole position for a rematch.&quot;To fight someone like him will raise my status. So yeah, I want to be the one to welcome him,&quot; Hwende said.&quot;With me, he&#x27;s just another boy that I just need to beat up. I don&#x27;t see him like anyone different. It&#x27;s nothing big about it. He&#x27;s just another guy,&quot; he added.With that said, Hwende delivered a parting message to Loman, making it clear he hopes their paths cross early next year.&quot;As a former bantamweight world champion, I welcome you, Stephen. I can&#x27;t wait to share the cage with you. And also, it will be an honor to share the cage with you,&quot; Hwende declared.

A former champion has stepped up to challenge Stephen Loman, who is set to make his return to BRAVE Combat Federation after four years away from the promotion.

A former champion has stepped up to challenge Stephen Loman, who is set to make his return to BRAVE Combat Federation after four years away from the promotion.

MMA: Former champ issues challenge to comebacking Stephen Loman

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MMA: Former champ issues challenge to comebacking Stephen Loman

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 10, 2025 03:36 PM PHT

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abssports

mixed martial arts

MMA

BRAVE CF

Stephen Loman

Nicholas Hwende

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