At just 20 years old, Ian Paul “Choco” Lora is set to test his mettle on the global stage against India’s Owais Yaqoob when BRAVE CF 98 lands in Zhengzhou, China.
Ian Paul “Choco” Lora used just three fights to make the leap from the local circuit to the international stage.
At only 20 years old, the unbeaten lightweight from Daraga, Albay, is stepping into the global spotlight against India's Owais Yaqoob (3-1), set for a three-round showdown as the BRAVE Combat Federation returns to China on Friday, Sept. 19.
A product of Lion’s Den MMA Academy in Bicol, Lora has drawn attention for his finishing ability, with two of his three victories coming by knockout and submission.
His breakout moment came last May when he scored a nine-second knockout of Philippine-based Virgin Islander Lolo Cruz, a highlight that boosted his profile among Filipino fans.
Yaqoob, also making his BRAVE CF debut, enters the matchup on a three-fight winning streak, capped by a second-round TKO win last April.
The nine-bout card will be headlined by a rematch for the interim featherweight world title between Ukraine’s Omar Solomanov and Kazakhstan’s Rauan “Shymyr” Bekbolat.
In the co-main event, Chinese featherweight Xie Bin takes on former champion Hwende.
The undercard features several international clashes, including Turkey’s Maaev squaring off with Azerbaijan’s Ehmedov in a super welterweight contest, Niushiyue meeting Biko in a catchweight showdown, and Haitao battling India’s Agasa in a bantamweight bout, among others.