Photo: BRAVE

By Miguel Palaban

Former BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Champion Nicholas Hwende is ready to make a statement, and he believes the man standing in his way is none other than Stephen Loman.

Hwende feels that a win over Loman would be a crowning achievement, a feather in his cap that could define his career.

Loman, who recently returned to BRAVE Combat Federation after four years away by signing a multi-fight deal back in December, is one of the most decorated fighters in the promotion’s history.

Hwende is eager to welcome him back, the only way that matters — inside the cage.

“To fight someone like him will raise my status. So yeah, I want to be the one to welcome him,” Hwende stated.

Loman’s legacy in the Bahrain-based mixed martial arts organization is etched in gold.

At BRAVE CF 9: The Kingdom of Champions, he captured the inaugural bantamweight crown with a first-round technical knockout of Gurdarshan Mangat.

Then, he ruled for 1,179 days with four successful defenses, including a thunderous stoppage of ex-featherweight king Elias Boudegzdame before a roaring crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Now representing Lions Nation MMA, “The Sniper” is targeting a BRAVE CF return bout in the second quarter of 2026 and a path to divisional ruler Borislav Nikolić.

Ironically, Nikolić dethroned Hwende at BRAVE CF 96 this past June, leaving the Zimbabwean hungry for redemption.

With that said, Hwende delivered a parting message to Loman, making it clear he hopes their paths cross later this year.

“As a former bantamweight world champion, I welcome you, Stephen. I can’t wait to share the cage with you,” Hwende declared.