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BRAVE CF 98 Serves As Historic Stage For Kashmir’s Owais Yaqoob
Sep 10, 2025
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When BRAVE Combat Federation touches down in Zhengzhou, China, for BRAVE CF 98 on Friday, September 19, at Henan TV Studio 8, all eyes will not only be on the stacked card but also on the historic debut of one of the promotion’s newest recruits — Owais Yaqoob
The 27-year-old lightweight from Pulwama, South Kashmir, will face undefeated Filipino prospect Ian Paul Lora in a three-round showdown.
On paper, it’s a classic battle of two hungry up-and-comers. But for Yaqoob, the moment carries weight far beyond the result. He steps into the BRAVE CF cage as the first-ever professional mixed martial artist out of Kashmir, a Himalayan region more known for its snow-capped mountains and serene lakes than combat sports.
From Village Roots To National Spotlight
Raised in the humble Murran village, Yaqoob’s martial arts journey began with taekwondo in 2013. Over the next decade, he built a resume few could match: 11 national gold medals, six silvers, and 17 state-level titles.
He also earned recognition as “Best Fighter Boy” across 28 states and was crowned “Champion of Champions” in 2018.
His competitive spirit didn’t stop there. Yaqoob proudly represented India in Eskrima, the Filipino martial art of stick fighting, where he claimed a bronze medal at the 2022 WEKAF World Championship in the Philippines.
Still, it was a televised bout featuring UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018 that lit the fire for a transition to MMA.
Inspired by the Russian legend, Yaqoob set out to master the all-encompassing sport, winning three national amateur titles before turning professional in 2023.
Building His MMA Arsenal
Yaqoob’s pro career has already shown the highs and lows of the fight game. After a disappointing debut loss via submission in March 2023, he took nearly a year off to refine his skills.
That time away proved fruitful — he bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Mohammad Azim Mokhlis in March 2024.
Momentum soon followed. He earned back-to-back victories, including a second-round TKO of Shetty Pratik Sadashiv this past April, bringing his record to 3-1.
Those performances caught the attention of BRAVE CF’s renowned scouting program, which has discovered some of today’s biggest MMA stars.
A Defining Opportunity
Now under the BRAVE CF banner, Yaqoob finds himself on the cusp of international recognition. Standing in his way is Lora, a dangerous knockout artist from the Philippines eager to extend his unbeaten streak.
For Yaqoob, though, this encounter represents more than a clash of records. It’s a chance to validate his journey from Kashmir’s local circuits to a global stage, to prove that the region can produce world-class talent in mixed martial arts.
“This is more than just a fight — it’s history for Kashmir,” Yaqoob has often expressed to his supporters.
A victory in Zhengzhou could break barriers for aspiring fighters in his homeland and inspire the next generation of Indian athletes to dream beyond borders.
As BRAVE CF 98 draws near, Yaqoob is not just preparing for a fight. He’s preparing to carry the pride of Kashmir into the cage — and perhaps, into the history books.
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