Brad Katona had a clear goal for 2021: stay active in the cage, and he's already setting things in motion.
Katona (9-2), a 29-year-old out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, went through a full calendar year without stepping into the octagon in 2020—both after parting ways with the UFC and because the coronavirus pandemic wiped out one of his scheduled bouts. But on April 1, he finally made his BRAVE CF debut, taking down Borislav Nikolic via submission. That victory sparked a desire for rapid follow-up action, and his wish came true when he learned he'd meet Bair Shtepin (9-4) in a bantamweight matchup at BRAVE CF 53 this Saturday.
"I always aim for three fights per year and I'm tracking toward that target. I would've preferred a slightly earlier date, but I'm not going to complain," Katona told MMA Empire.
"When I'm active and competing three times annually, I feel like I'm performing at my peak, so this cadence suits me perfectly. After sitting out a whole year, I'm thrilled to be back competing."
A victory on Saturday would prompt Katona to immediately request a title shot, driven by his belief that he ranks among the premier bantaweights in the sport.
"My hope is that this showing earns me a championship opportunity. I consider myself world-class, and it's time for me to capture a world title. Securing the BRAVE belt is my next objective—and something I believe I've earned," Katona said.
Even though this marks only Katona's second appearance inside BRAVE, he's been keeping tabs on Shtepin. The two fighters shared a card back in April, and Katona was thoroughly unimpressed with his opponent's showing.
"He's faced quality competition, and I've studied him pretty extensively," Katona noted.
"We crossed paths at BRAVE 50, where he took a decision loss, but from my perspective, he outperformed his opponent. He's genuinely dangerous—solid wrestling, creative spinning strikes, and quick footwork. This is a matchup that demands complete sharpness and focus across all 15 minutes."
Katona figures his wrestling prowess will play a pivotal role against Shtepin, though the 29-year-old insists he's developed into a well-rounded fighter who's continued to sharpen his craft over recent months at SBG Ireland.
While grappling will feature prominently, Katona emphasizes that controlling the fight's location is key to securing victory.
"I can't solely depend on takedowns. What's crucial is stopping him from finding his rhythm and building momentum. I need to impose my game plan from the opening bell, whether through striking or wrestling, and prevent him from getting comfortable," Katona laid out.
"As always, I'll adapt to wherever the fight flows. I'm prepared for any scenario."
