Trilogy talk: Jose Torres says he’ll go to Africa for third title clash with Nkosi Ndebele

The two top bantamweights in Brave Combat Federation are on collision course for a third time, with the pair making clear their intentions to face off in a trilogy bout.

Jose “Shorty” Torres captured the vacant bantamweight crown by edging a split-decision victory over Nkosi Ndebele at Brave CF 73 in Colombia in a bout that some, including Brave CF president Mohammed Shahid, thought could have gone the other way.

Ndebele made amends in the rematch at Brave CF 80 four months later in Bahrain, however, as he punched Torres to a standstill, with the American pulling himself out of the fight with a damaged eye after a punishing encounter.

Now, with Ndebele holding the belt, Torres is laser focused on putting things right in a trilogy fight, and called on the champion to agree to the bout that the South African himself said he wanted.

Ndebele had stated that, after facing Torres in Colombia and Bahrain, he now wants the third meeting to be in South Africa.

“I will be able to take the fight with ‘Shorty’ anywhere, but this time I want it to be on my home soil, in my African continent,” he said.

“I followed him in Colombia, which is his hometown, and also in Bahrain, which he says is his second home. I’ll be glad to take the fight, but in my home soil in Africa.”

In a video message shared via Brave CF’s official Instagram account, Torres responded, and accepted the champion’s terms.

“Hey, what’s up ‘Brave Nation!’ Jose ‘Shorty’ Torres here, the former Brave Combat Federation bantamweight champion,” he began.

“And, with that being said, the reason why I’m making this video is because I want to get my redemption and be the current bantamweight champion, and I want Nkosi-Torres III.

“You want to bring it to Mauritius or South Africa or even in your backyard, yo, let’s do it. Run it! I don’t care!

“You fought me in Colombia. You came to Bahrain, and you made me give up in front of my people. Kudos to you. Rightfully earned. Well done. My job now is to get the honour to go down to your home soil and make you give up in front of your people.

“See, I know you’re not going to give up. I won’t let you give up. You won’t get a chance to give up because you won’t be awake to give up. You will have the possibility. So I can’t wait. Mauritius, South Africa, your backyard – sign the contract.”

Brave CF’s schedule gets busy later this month, as the promotion makes the first of two 2024 visits to Slovenia on April 20. The organisation then moves on to Mauritius on Saturday, May 11, and it’s that event that would seem to be the likely landing spot for a Ndebele-Torres trilogy fight.