MMA News: Filipino UFC Vet Aiming For Statement Win In BRAVE CF 56 Main Event

Rolando Dy is set to make his return to the fight scene almost nine months after his last fight and is out to prove that he still deserves to have a shot at the BRAVE CF lightweight title.

“This is a very important fight because I am here to keep my spot in the division. My opponent is a debutant who has the chance to move up the ladder. I expect him to come into our fight hungry, motivated, and eager to win. I was a win away from getting a shot at the belt. I was in that position for a reason, and I want to remind every lightweight in the organization that I am not letting go of my position,” Dy confidently stated.

The former UFC veteran was next in line for a title shot against Ahmed Amir but was forced out of the title picture after losing to Kyrgyz standout Abdisalam Kubanychbek this past March.

Dy will face Slobodan Maksimovic in the main event of BRAVE CF 56, which takes place in the latter’s hometown of Belgrade, Serbia.

The 32-year-old Maksimovic is understandably a tough fight for Dy as the No. 5-ranked lightweight in the Balkan Peninsula is riding a two-fight winning streak, along with seven victories in eight outings.

Despite the challenge right in front of him, Dy’s dreams of holding the lightweight title remain unchanged as he believes that the caliber of fighters he has faced in the past prepared him for the upcoming war against Maksimovic.

The 30-year-old Filipino is expecting a stand-up affair despite the Serbian possessing a deceptively solid ground game, with Dy confidently proclaiming that he has the better fundamentals in striking.

Dy is very much aware that a lot of things are on the line when he faces Maksimovic, but that is not stopping him from going after the highlight-reel finish.

“I will be looking for the finish–whether it be standing up or on the ground. You can’t imagine what I’ve gone through since my last fight. I am here to make a statement,” he declared.