Nakia Brown and Braxton King Set For Exciting Rematch
In what proved to be a spectacular showdown of two of Louisiana’s hottest young MMA talents, Nakia Brown and Braxton King battled on the Gulf Coast MMA 8 card in January 2021. Brown would serve as the victor with a first-round armbar to capture the organization’s amateur featherweight crown. This time around, the stakes are actually higher. Both fighters have made a successful transition to the professional ranks and will meet under the American Kombat Alliance (AKA Fights) banner on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the Paragon Casino in Marksville, Louisiana.
Nakia “The Great” Brown
Beginning his MMA career in the amateur ranks in October 2018, Brown was an expected star from day one. With a Louisiana all-state wrestling pedigree (2018 LHSAA wrestling state runner-up from St. Amant High School.) Brown would go on to collect 59 wins in that senior season before falling under the wing of Louisiana MMA icon Thomas Webb. Garnering as much experience as possible, Brown would fight in over 20 bouts before turning pro in January 2023.
Though the wrestling was always there, Brown was known early on for his devastating power with five of his first seven bouts ending with a knockout (the other two submission wins.) A handful of those wins were knockouts in less than one minute. After a rough growing-pains skid in his amateur career, Brown snapped his first losing streak actually with the King victory, rejuvenating his run.
Evolution of Game
Though Brown was victorious in their amateur bout, he sees this fight being much different than the first. “I’m way better than I was as an amateur fighter. I’ve been developing my skills and working on being just better overall as a fighter. I beat him then so imagine now with the level of competition I’ve faced and won against at this point. I’m the next face of the male featherweight division in Louisiana and I’m headed to the UFC. Braxton is in the way of me providing for my family now! I have a bigger reason to fight now so just imagine,” Brown told MYMMANEWS.
Brown does credit King with making a huge change to his overall game. “I credit the change in my game to just experience and I’ll give Braxton credit for it as well! He was the first person to attempt leg locks on me and now my defense against those are top notch. I’ve also just been getting the rounds in surrounding myself around great people that just love the game,” stated Brown.
Braxton King
Another bright light in the continued showcasing of Louisiana MMA talent is Braxton King. Where Brown shines as a striker, King is just as dangerous on the mat. All of his professional and amateur victories have ended in submission with all but one in the first round. On a very similar path as Brown, King has also shown to evolve into a true mixed martial artist over just only being a danger on the ground. “I’ve stayed consistent training day in and day out, dedicating myself to perfecting my craft and living this lifestyle has made me better in so many way,” King stated.
King also has “home-turf” to defend as all of his professional wins have come within the AKA cage. This will mark Brown’s debut with the organization. “Saturday, July 27, 2024, you can expect to see me in the hands of my God become a giant slayer!” Both fighters have an amazing trajectory and the winner could mark themselves as one of the next big things in Louisiana MMA. The two will meet Saturday, July 27, 2024, inside the Paragon Casino in Marksville, Louisiana.
