Brave Combat Federation star Ylies Djiroun has clapped back at Lucas Martins, offering the Brazilian a sobering reminder ahead of their Brave CF 74 main event bout on September 7.
The two lightweight athletes will throw down in a potential number-one contender fight in Nantes, France, next month in an event confirming Brave CF as the most-traveled MMA organization in the world.
Leading up to the fight, Martins - a renowned combat sports veteran with 13 MMA knockouts - came out publicly stating that he "will be fighting a grappler," possibly intimating that Djiroun will be no challenge for him on the feet.
The statement barely had a chance to simmer before Djiroun took to Instagram to remind the Brazilian finisher that they have signed an MMA contract and that the Frenchman will be more than comfortable wherever the contest goes.
"Who knows, maybe I use my striking, maybe I use my wrestling. I can submit you, or I can knock you out, Lucas," warned Djiroun.
"This is an MMA fight. This is not a boxing bout, a kickboxing bout, a Muay Thai fight, nor is it a wrestling match. This is MMA. I will make use of the opportunity which presents itself. Should it be via knockout, takedown, or submission, I am ready. I hope Lucas is ready for anything, too," added Djiroun, an all-rounder with 19 knockouts, submissions, and decision-wins.
Brazil’s former Brave CF lightweight champion is renowned for his artistry on the feet but is also no slouch on the ground, with five submissions in 21 wins. However, making Djiroun his sixth grappling victim will be no easy feat as the former French Pancrase champion has never been submitting in his 26-fight career.
This lightweight contest will also offer "Mineiro" the perfect opportunity to showcase his high-level submission defense as Djiroun is notoriously known for submitting his opponents, with ten wins coming via choke or armbar.
