Aleksandar Ilić

Serbian MMA superstar Aleksandar Ilić takes on Cleber Sousa in BRAVE CF 69 co-main event

‘’The Joker’’ Aleksandar Ilić is set for his BRAVE CF debut as he looks to make a statement in the organization’s ever-growing Middleweight division

BRAVE CF 69’s co-main event is locked in with Serbian superstar Aleksandar “Joker” Ilić set to face Brazil’s Cleber “Clebinho” Sousa in a Middleweight bout in Belgrade, Serbia, on February 18th, which takes place in association with MMA Liga.

Both athletes will make their BRAVE CF debut in the first event of the BRAVE CF 2023 calendar. “Joker” is adored by the Serbian locals and will have the backing when he walks out in front of the Belgrade crowd.

Ilić (14-5) secured a huge win in his last MMA fight when he beat Russian veteran Alexander Shlemenko (62-15-1) via a knee and ground and pound in the first round. It is clear why the fans love “Joker” as he is a true entertainer with ten wins (71 percent) coming via KO/TKO.

He is a well-rounded fighter with experience in some of Europe’s top promotions and is now set for his global debut under the fastest-growing organization in the world.

“Clebinho” heads into a BRAVE CF baptism of fire when he steps into the Belgrade cauldron, but his experience will stand him in good stead after he amassed a respectable record of 23-13-1. Sousa is unbeaten in four fights. Prior to that, he earned a Brazilian Middleweight title when he beat compatriot Cássio de Oliveira via punches in the second round. Sousa loves a good scrap with 16 wins via KO/TKO, but the Brazilian is also a strong grappler with three wins via submission.

BRAVE CF returns to Belgrade following the raging success of BRAVE CF 56, which went down in 2021. Ilić vs Sousa is one of three fights announced for BRAVE CF 69 thus far. The main event has been set as Abdisalam Kubanychbek, currently the Lightweight interim world champion, will look to unify the belt against top contender Kamil Magomedov, and Abdullah Al-Qahtani returns against Denis Jurakic in a Featherweight bout.

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Staff Report