Stephen Loman is only weeks away from his much-anticipated return under the BRAVE CF banner, and he has extra motivation heading into fight night.
The Baguio City-based bantamweight will look to restart his BRAVE CF tenure with a statement win over Georgian rising star Lasha Abramishvili in the co-main event of BRAVE CF 108 on September 5 at the historic Pula Arena in Croatia.
For context, the Pula Arena was originally a wooden structure built during the Roman Empire under Emperor Augustus, later transformed into the Tuscan-style stone amphitheater by Emperors Vespasian and Titus in 81 AD. Back then, it hosted gladiatorial contests and public gatherings, drawing crowds of up to 23,000. Today, it accommodates around 7,000 spectators and stages concerts, film festivals, operas, and even ice hockey.
At BRAVE CF 108, however, Loman intends to remind everyone of its gladiatorial past.
“I know the history of Pula Arena, and that makes this fight even more meaningful. Warriors fought here centuries ago, and now I have the chance to compete in the same place in a different era. I want to honor that history by giving the fans a performance they will remember,” Loman said.
Stephen Loman, Cordilleran Pride
For the inaugural BRAVE CF bantamweight world champion, there is a personal crossover. Born into the Ifugao community, Loman carries with him the heritage of the Cordillera tribes—Ifugao, Kalinga, Bontoc, Ibaloy, Kankanaey, and Isneg—who resisted Spanish colonization and preserved their independence.
“I’m proud to be a Cordilleran. Wherever I compete, I carry my people and my heritage with me. Our ancestors were fiercely independent, and they protected their land and way of life for generations,” he said.
“That determination is part of me, and I want to show the world what a Cordilleran warrior is all about.”
With history and heritage fueling his return, Stephen Loman is set to step back into the BRAVE CF cage with more than just victory on his mind—he wants to embody the spirit of warriors past and present.
