Zimbabwe’s mixed martial arts star Nicholas Hwende etched his name into BRAVE Combat Federation history on Sunday night after defeating Ukraine’s Omar Solomanov to become the undisputed BRAVE CF Featherweight World Champion at BRAVE CF 105 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

In a championship contest that tested the endurance, skill and determination of both fighters, Hwende secured a dramatic fifth-round submission victory, forcing Solomanov to tap out to a D’Arce choke with just over a minute remaining in the bout. The win crowned him the undisputed featherweight king and elevated him into an exclusive club of fighters who have captured world titles in two different BRAVE CF weight divisions.

The main event of BRAVE CF 105 had been billed as one of the most significant championship fights in the promotion’s recent history. Solomanov entered the contest as the interim featherweight champion, while Hwende arrived as the former bantamweight titleholder seeking to add another belt to his growing legacy. The bout was originally scheduled as a title unification contest after the featherweight championship became vacant, with both men carrying championship credentials into the cage.

For much of the fight, Solomanov showcased the qualities that had earned him the interim crown. The Ukrainian, who brought a 14-3 professional record into the contest, relied on his movement, striking combinations and tactical discipline to keep the Zimbabwean challenger under pressure. Hwende, however, remained patient and composed throughout the championship rounds, gradually imposing his grappling game and forcing the fight into increasingly uncomfortable positions for his opponent.

The breakthrough eventually came in the fifth round. With the championship hanging in the balance, Hwende capitalized on a grappling exchange and locked in a tight D’Arce choke. Solomanov attempted to defend, but the pressure proved too much, compelling the Ukrainian to submit at the 3:28 mark of the final round.

The victory marks another remarkable chapter in the career of the Zimbabwean fighter, who has steadily built a reputation as one of Africa’s most accomplished mixed martial artists. Before moving up in weight, Hwende enjoyed a successful run in the bantamweight division, where he captured the BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Championship. His reign established him among the promotion’s elite competitors before he eventually lost the title to Serbia’s Borislav Nikolic in June 2025.

Rather than attempting an immediate return to the bantamweight throne, Hwende opted to pursue new challenges at featherweight. The move initially raised questions about how he would fare against naturally larger opponents, but the Zimbabwean quickly silenced doubters. A convincing victory over Chinese veteran Xie Bin at BRAVE CF 98 announced his arrival in the division and positioned him as a serious contender for championship honours.His triumph over Solomanov has now validated that decision in emphatic fashion.

The featherweight division has long been one of BRAVE CF’s most competitive weight classes. Former champions have included accomplished fighters such as Bubba Jenkins, Roman Bogatov and Nemat Abdrashitov, while Solomanov had claimed interim championship status in September 2025 after defeating Kazakhstan’s Rauan Bekbolat. The Ukrainian’s impressive run made him one of the most dangerous contenders in the organization heading into the title showdown.

For Solomanov, the defeat ends a determined quest to convert interim gold into undisputed championship status. The Ukrainian had openly spoken of his desire to remove the “interim” label from his title and establish himself as the division’s unquestioned ruler. 

Instead, it was Hwende who emerged from the contest with the belt around his waist and his place in BRAVE CF history secured.