Pulwama’s Owais Yaqoob secures victory against unbeaten Bulgarian at BRAVE CF

By Arjun Nair / 03.08.2026

By Arjun Nair — 3 August 2026 — 3 min read

Owais Yaqoob, a mixed martial arts fighter from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, achieved a significant victory in his professional career by defeating Delyan Georgiev, an unbeaten Bulgarian fighter. The win occurred via technical knockout in the opening round at BRAVE Combat Federation 107, which was held in Burgas, Bulgaria.

The triumph has further solidified Yaqoob’s standing as a promising MMA prospect for India on the international stage. Competing in a 68-kilogram catchweight contest, Yaqoob, who is 22 years old and from Murran village in south Kashmir, needed only four minutes to secure the win. The referee stopped the contest after Yaqoob’s dominant performance from the initial exchange.

A Rising Career in MMA

This victory improved Yaqoob’s professional record to 6 wins and 1 loss, while Georgiev experienced his first career defeat, moving his record to 3 wins and 1 loss. The outcome was unexpected by many followers of the sport, with nearly 73 percent of fans having supported Georgiev to win, according to Tapology. Yaqoob, however, showcased confidence, discipline, and technical skill to overcome his opponent.

Following the bout, Yaqoob dedicated his victory to the people of India and Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed that the win meant a great deal to him, representing the hopes of his family, his community, and the entire country. He stated that defeating an unbeaten world champion was a dream achievement and marked only the beginning of his journey, vowing to continue working hard to achieve greater success while representing India globally.

The victory also underscores Yaqoob’s consistent progress in international mixed martial arts. He entered the contest on a five-fight winning streak, having been recognized as a BRAVE CF Breakout Fighter of the Year. His recent success has extended this winning streak to six consecutive victories.

Global Attention and Training Background

The contest garnered international attention due to Georgiev representing Team Topuria, while Yaqoob trains under Team Khabib at the American Kickboxing Academy, a prominent MMA training center. Yaqoob is known for his disciplined approach and consistent performances in both domestic and international competitions, establishing himself as one of India’s most promising fighters.

His latest win against an undefeated opponent is anticipated to strengthen his position within BRAVE Combat Federation and create more opportunities on the global circuit. Sports enthusiasts across Jammu and Kashmir and the country have celebrated the victory, calling it a proud moment for Indian mixed martial arts. Yaqoob’s achievement also serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes from Kashmir, demonstrating that dedication and perseverance can enable local talent to compete successfully on major sporting platforms.

Yaqoob began his martial arts journey with Thang-Ta before mastering Taekwondo, Karate, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, eventually securing a contract with Matrix Fight Night. His ascent in the sport occurred despite facing financial difficulties after his father’s illness, which led him to work as a medical representative, gym trainer, caterer, and apple picker to fund his training. He later trained with former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team, and he maintains that representing India remains his primary motivation.

The win against Delyan Georgiev at BRAVE CF 107 on August 1 marks a significant milestone for the fighter from Pulwama.

Source: risingkashmir.com