Srinagar, Aug 02: Jammu and Kashmir’s rising mixed martial arts fighter Owais Yaqoob produced the biggest victory of his professional career by defeating previously unbeaten Bulgarian fighter Delyan Georgiev via technical knockout in the opening round at BRAVE Combat Federation 107 held in Burgas, Bulgaria, on Saturday.
The emphatic win further established the Pulwama fighter as one of India’s brightest MMA prospects on the international stage.
Competing in a 68-kilogram catchweight contest, the 27-year-old from Murran village in south Kashmir needed just four minutes to dismantle Georgiev inside the cage. The referee stopped the contest after Owais unleashed a dominant display from the opening exchange, leaving the Bulgarian with no chance to recover.
The victory improved Owais’ professional record to 6 wins and 1 loss, while Georgiev suffered the first defeat of his career, dropping to 3 wins and 1 loss.
The result came as a surprise to many followers of the sport. According to Tapology, nearly 73 percent of fans had backed Georgiev to emerge victorious. Owais, however, displayed remarkable confidence, discipline and technical skill to overpower his opponent from the very beginning.
Speaking after the bout, Owais dedicated the memorable victory to the people of India and Jammu and Kashmir.
“This victory means everything to me. I stepped into the cage carrying the hopes of my family, my people in Jammu and Kashmir and the entire country. Defeating an unbeaten world champion is a dream achievement, but this is only the beginning. I will continue to work harder and aim for even greater success while proudly representing India on the global stage,” he said.
The triumph also highlighted Owais’ steady rise in international mixed martial arts. He entered the contest riding a five fight winning streak after being named BRAVE CF Breakout Fighter of the Year 2025. His latest success has now extended that streak to six consecutive victories.
The contest attracted global attention because Georgiev represented Team Topuria, while Owais trains under the renowned Team Khabib at the American Kickboxing Academy, one of the world’s leading MMA training centres.
Known for his disciplined approach and consistent performances in domestic and international competitions, Owais has steadily emerged as one of India’s most promising fighters. His latest victory against an unbeaten opponent is expected to strengthen his position within BRAVE Combat Federation and open doors to bigger opportunities on the global circuit.
Sports enthusiasts across J&K and the country hailed the victory, describing it as another proud moment for Indian mixed martial arts. Owais’ achievement also serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes from Kashmir, proving that dedication and perseverance can help local talent compete successfully on the world’s biggest sporting platforms.
