Izzedine Al-Derbani, "The Palestinian Samurai," earned his first win at BRAVE CF against Eduardo Mora last weekend.
The fighter can operate at both bantamweight and featherweight divisions, and his victory was a sign to other competitors that they would need to take heed of his danger in any future match-ups.
After losing in his first fight against Jose "Shorty" Torres, his fight against Mora took on additional importance, and a return to winning ways was potentially vital for his career.
In Slovenia, he got Colombian fighter Mora to submit, his first ever defeat in BRAVE CF, using a ninja-choke submission.
That finish over Mora will do wonders for Al-Derbani’s status in the 135-pound division considering the wars the former has been in. Colombia’s Road to BRAVE CF winner went the distance with BRAVE CF’s cream of the crop and top-ranked Bantamweights, taking South Africa’s Nkosi Ndebele and Bahrain’s Kooheji to the end of three rounds. Despite being on the wrong end of two decisions, both results showcased just how tough Mora is considering the level of his opponents.
“I trained so much during Ramadan to win this fight. Thank you, God. He rewarded me for my hard work. He is merciful no matter what,” said Al-Derbani during a post-fight interview.
“I was able to make the fight go how I had planned and prepared for, lots of striking before locking in the submission. I am so grateful. I have arrived now and will only get better and stronger. I am ready for anyone in this weight class or heavier,” said Al-Derbani, who fought at Feather and Lightweight before his BRAVE CF debut.
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