Kirik Jenness, Luan Santiago, João Vitor Xavier (© Brave Combat Federation)

Fighting out of Brazil, Luan “Miau” Santiago, 24, has been crowned the new Brave Combat Federation Lightweight Champion. He was one of the winners at “Brave 23: Pride and Honor” on April 19, 2019.

Featuring 12 mixed martial arts matches, which included three title bouts, “Brave 23: Pride and Honor” took place at the Martyr Rashid Al-Ziyoud Hall Boxing Arena in Amman, Jordan. In the first co-main event of the evening, Santiago challenged then reigning Brave CF Lightweight Champion Abdul-Kareem “Pride of Palestine” Al-Selwady, 23, of Jordan.

Santiago shocked the crowd by dethroning the hometown hero. Dominating the fight from the start, the Brazilian challenger landed at will on the Jordanian defending champion.

In less than 4 minutes, Santiago used a spinning elbow to knock Al-Selwady out cold. When the Brazilian fighter was announced as the new Brave CF Lightweight Champion, he could not hold back his tears.

“Al-Selwady is a great fighter,” Santiago said during his post-fight cage interview with Kirik Jenness with João Vitor Xavier as the translator. “He has the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen behind him and I would like everyone to give a round of applause for Al-Selwady and for Jordan.”

Before the fight night, Santiago promised a highlight knockout in the first round. He guaranteed it would only take him 4 minutes to become the new champion.

“4 minutes, that’s how long it’s going to take for me to beat him,” Santiago said in an interview with Brazilian premier MMA YouTube channel Diretasso. “I’m going for the quick KO and I’m sure I’ll bring this belt back to Brazil.”

While Al-Selwady was one of the five hometown heroes at “Brave 23: Pride and Honor,” Santiago solely represented Brazil. Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, England, France, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Tunisia, the United States and Wales were also represented.

Santiago made his successful professional MMA debut in 2013 and joined Brave CF in 2017. “Brave 23: Pride and Honor” marked his fifth bout in the promotion.

Here is the announcement of Santiago’s victory over Al-Selwady at “Brave 23: Pride and Honor” in Amman: