ROLANDO DY BATTLES SLOBODAN MAKSIMOVIC IN BRAVE CF 56 MAIN EVENT

Seef District, Bahrain - 23 November 2021

After a groundbreaking year that saw BRAVE Combat Federation hold multiple live events in Europe and Asia, the Bahrain-based global promotion is gearing up for its final extravaganza of 2021.

The organization will make its first foray into Belgrade, Serbia on December 18 to hold BRAVE CF 56 at the state-of-the-art Belexpocentar, and the card is headlined by a pivotal lightweight encounter between Filipino superstar Rolando “The Incredible” Dy and hometown hero Slobodan Maksimovic.

Dy, the 30-year-old son of boxing legend and former WBC Super Featherweight World Champion Rolando Navarrete, has been a mixed martial artist since 2011 and is one of the most recognizable faces of the sport’s well-entrenched scene in the Philippines.

With more than 20 professional bouts on his résumé, Dy has the experience of a seasoned veteran and has seen it all inside the cage.

Always a crowd-pleaser, “The Incredible” utilizes his dynamic boxing background with an impeccable takedown defense to outclass his opponents. He’ll now get the chance to put on a show once more opposite Maksimovic.

In the other corner, Maksimovic has been in the MMA game for more than a decade and has a wealth of fight experience under various outfits on his curriculum vitae.

Ranked as the No. 5 lightweight in the Balkan Peninsula, Maksimovic possesses a beautiful combination of solid striking and grappling skills that has proven to be a potent formula for success as he has amassed a stellar 17-6-1 overall record.

Moreover, the 32-year-old Serbian is riding high on a two-fight winning streak and has won seven of his last eight outings since 2016.

Dy, the 2020 BRAVE CF Fighter of the Year awardee, desperately needs an impressive performance to maintain his status in the stacked 155-pound weight class. Meanwhile, Maksimovic is eager to keep rolling and make a big first impression on the world stage.

In partnership with MMA League of Serbia, BRAVE CF will be announcing more matches for its first trip to Belgrade in the coming days.

FILIPINO MMA STAR ROLANDO DY CALLS OUT ENGLISH BRAVE CF LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER

Seef District, Bahrain - 10 November 2021

Rolando “The Incredible” Dy has kept a relatively low profile over the past several months, but now, the Filipino mixed martial arts superstar is ready to return to action and has a certain lightweight contender in his sights.

 

The 30-year-old son of Filipino boxing legend Rolando Navarrete issued a challenge to English standout Sam “The Future” Patterson, who scored a rousing victory on the BRAVE CF 55 card in Rostov-on-Don, Russia last Saturday, November 6.

 

“Boss Mohammed Shahid (BRAVE CF President), if you plan on giving Sam the title shot next, you may want to consider giving him to me first. I don't panic in the exchanges. I don't panic while wrestling like [Kamil] Magomedov did,” Dy said.

 

Patterson overcame a tough start in his scheduled three-round bout against hometown favorite Kamil Magomedov by persevering through his opponent’s ground game before eventually picking up a come-from-behind win by way of submission in the second frame.

 

 

Dy, who was one of the many who tuned into the promotion’s second live event in Russia over the weekend, shared his thoughts on the aforementioned lightweight encounter.

 

“There were a few things I saw in the fight. One of which is Magomedov was afraid of getting punched in the face like most BJJ guys. He is a good kicker, but he panics for doubles in striking exchanges. That’s the reason he got choked. Magomedov is not a wrestler by default because he is a BJJ guy,” he explained.

 

“Second is that I find Sam very technical but very slow for a lightweight. If that’s their best, I know I can take any of them,” Dy added.

 

Patterson is no stranger to Dy as the standout from Walford, England called the latter out for a fight last year and took a swipe at him by labelling the Filipino a “journeyman” in one social media post.

 

Ironically, Dy once filled in for an injured Patterson to face New Zealand’s John Brewin at BRAVE CF 44 in November 2020, where “The Incredible” walked away with the unanimous decision win.

 

 

However, Dy veered off the collision course with Patterson after going through a grueling war versus Kyrgyz mauler Abdisalam “Omok” Kubanychbek in a losing effort at BRAVE CF 47: Asian Domination this past March.

 

Meanwhile, Patterson made a strong case to challenge reigning BRAVE CF Lightweight World Champion and arch-nemesis Ahmed “The Butcher” Amir by extending his win streak under the company’s banner to four courtesy of his most recent cage assignment.

 

Although Dy believes that Kubanychbek should be next in line for a World Title shot, the outspoken hard-hitter from Cavite, Philippines won’t pass up on a chance to duke it out with Patterson and overtake other contenders in the division.

 

“I fought the rightful contender, Abdisalam, who is not in the title picture now. I know I can take on Sam. Let me steal the title shot from him,” Dy stated. 

FILIPINO SUPERSTAR ROLANDO DY GIVES FEARLESS FORECAST ON BRAVE CF 54 MAIN EVENT

Seef District, Bahrain - 15 September 2021

Filipino hard-hitter Rolando “The Incredible” Dy will keep a close eye on the BRAVE CF Lightweight World Championship clash between division kingpin Amin “Fierceness” Ayoub of France and arch-nemesis Ahmed “The Butcher” Amir of Egypt.

 

Both men are set to collide for the intricately-crafted belt in the main event of BRAVE CF 54, which will be broadcasted live from Konin, Poland on September 25th—the Bahrain-based promotion’s first live event in the country.

 

 

The two were originally penciled to face each other at BRAVE CF 50 this past April, but Amir needed to pull out of the bout a few days before the event due to a neck and shoulder injury. Now, the two will have the chance to settle their unfinished business inside the cage.

 

Ayoub has been undefeated since April 2018, racking up eight consecutive victories that saw him capture the BRAVE CF Lightweight World Championship at the expense of Cleiton “Predador” Silva at BRAVE CF 44 in November 2020.

 

In his last outing, the Frenchman scored a unanimous decision win over Mashrabjon Ruziboev—who accepted the offer to fill in for Amir on short notice—in a catchweight contest at BRAVE CF 50.

 

On the other hand, Amir is riding high on a two-match winning streak, submitting Yousef Wehbe with a third-round rear-naked choke at BRAVE CF 33 in December 2019 before outpointing Cian Cowley at BRAVE CF 41 in September 2020.

 

Dy, the organization’s 2020 Fighter of the Year awardee, made a bold prediction on the highly-anticipated Lightweight World Title showdown between Ayoub and Amir.

 

“Amin [Ayoub] will win easily. [Ahmed] Amir doesn't belong there, in my opinion,” he stated. “I truly believe that Amin is stylistically superior over Amir. Amir hasn’t fought someone near the caliber of Amin. It will show on fight night.”

 

This past April, Dy called out Amir on social media and vowed to give the Egyptian bruiser “a real fight.” However, the latter seemingly brushed off the challenge.

 

 

Meanwhile, Ayoub promised the power-punching Pinoy a World Title shot after they both won their fights at BRAVE CF 44.

 

“I don't think any of them will choose to fight me if Amin retains the belt or Amir wins the title,” Dy said about a possible match-up against either man.

 

“The Incredible” is feeling the itch to compete once again after going through a grueling war with Kyrgyz lightweight contender Abdisalam “Omok” Kubanychbek at BRAVE CF 47: Asian Domination last March.

 

With the goal to redeem himself in the eyes of the mixed martial arts world, the 30-year-old son of Filipino boxing legend Rolando Navarrete hopes to return to action very soon.

 

“As always, I am hungry to fight. I am always looking for some good competition. I don't back out, I don't make excuses, and I show up even if it’s on short notice. As long as I can make the walkout, I will fight,” he declared. “BRAVE CF can call me anytime because the answer will always be ‘yes and I accept.’”

Despite Finding True Love, Rolando Dy Remains Married To The Game

Dy recently tied the knot with his partner Stephanie Rebagoda in a civil wedding last November 28. The 29-year-old son of boxing legend Rolando Navarrete could have chosen to be anywhere on his honeymoon, but he elected to continue to grind at the gym he owns in his adoptive hometown of Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Training has been part of Dy’s daily routine since his close friend ardently introduced him to mixed martial arts in the late 2000s. With the sport’s demands both in and out of the cage, he could not ask for a better partner in the new chapter of his life.

“I am happy because my wife understands my life as a fighter. She understands every aspect of my job description. She also attends to my needs as an athlete. It’s a blessing that I found someone who will stick with me through thick and thin,” he shared.

“We’ve been living together for a year already. I just wanted to make it formal, as well as legal, in the eyes of the Lord and our families.”

A few days after exchanging vows with Stephanie, Dy resumed his intense training in anticipation of a call from the upper management of BRAVE CF.

“After our wedding, I just took a few days off. Now I am back in training. Like I always say, I am ready. If there’s an offer to fight and it makes sense, I will take it. I won’t think twice to accept it, especially if it’s a title shot,” he stated.

“The Incredible” earned a date with newly-minted lightweight kingpin Amin Ayoub after outclassing John Brewin over the course of three rounds at BRAVE CF 44 this past month to salvage a unanimous decision victory.

“We’re pushing for the title fight. I know I deserve it. I hope they will give it to me,” said Dy, who holds a professional record of 14-9 and has won two-straight bouts this year.

The Bahrain-based organization has recently announced that Dy is nominated for the 2020 Fighter of the Year award.

With everything going his way this year, several competitors in his division are trying to rain on his parade, including British stalwart Sam Patterson who took a swipe at the Filipino by labelling him a “journeyman” in one social media post.

Patterson was originally penciled to face Brewin at BRAVE CF 44 but withdrew from the lightweight title eliminator due to an undisclosed injury. As a result, Dy took his place and capitalized on the rare opportunity to thrust himself to the upper echelon of the promotion’s 155-pound weight class.

Dy knows that Patterson wants to be in the position where he is at right now. Furthermore, he sees no point in granting the Team Crossface standout a duel for the right to square off with the champion after pulling out of the match against Brewin.

“He’s just an attention-seeker. I don't want to fight him not because I am afraid. I don’t want to fight him because he backed out against Brewin. He chickened out. He didn’t have a valid reason to back out. I don’t believe he’s really injured,” he declared.

“I won’t give him his request because I am the one who’s next for the title. I want that title shot.”

Dy just hopes that the Walford, England native can back it up if ever they will cross paths in the future.

“Sam Patterson is a good and smart fighter. But he is still a child in this game. Maybe someday, our roads will intertwine. It’s going to be a hard lesson for him because he will realize how inexperienced he is as a fighter,” he warned.