Undefeated Bulgarian Bantamweight Nikolay Atanasov has signed with BRAVE Combat Federation, becoming the latest fighter to benefit from the visionary BRAVE CF – IMMAF Amateur pathway.
23-year-old Atanasov is currently unbeaten in his professional MMA career, boasting a record of four wins and no losses, with all his victories coming by way of submission. A Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he turned professional in 2022, finishing his debut opponent in the first round with a rear-naked choke.
He returned in 2023 with two more submission victories and secured another win in 2024, continuing his strong performance. Throughout his four-fight win streak, Atanasov defeated IMMAF European medallists Denislav Hadzhiev and Oktay Arif, submitting both fighters and establishing himself as the top rising star in Bulgarian MMA.
Before going professional, Atanasov represented Bulgaria at IMMAF events, with his most notable fight coming against Muhammad Mokaev. Atanasov nearly shocked the world by pushing Mokaev to his limits, and he remains the only fighter to have knocked Mokaev down during his IMMAF career.
Outside of MMA, Atanasov has proven himself as a skilled grappler, earning medals at the European Jiu-Jitsu Championship and becoming a six-time national MMA champion in Bulgaria, remaining undefeated in the domestic circuit.
With BRAVE Combat Federation debuting in Bulgaria earlier this year with BRAVE CF 86, the country’s MMA scene has experienced huge growth and Atanasov’s signing is expected to further boost MMA in Bulgaria.
With Mokaev back on the BRAVE CF roster and the Bantamweight division filled with talented fighters, the future looks exciting for Atanasov as he aims to make his mark in the organization.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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