News
Mixed Reviews at Road2Victory in Volendam
Event Date: 1st November, 2025 - 11:00pm
Event Location: Volendam, Holland
What started as a promising night for two ProKick fighters on the Road2Victory fight card in Volendam took an unexpected turn. Just minutes before the main card was due to start, while Dan Braniff was undergoing his medical, his scheduled opponent Fidah Al Hilali (Freddy’s Gym, Amsterdam) informed ProKick coach Billy Murray that he was unwell and was withdrawing from the match. Fidah apologised and stated his health had to come first, but expressed his willingness to travel to Belfast at a later date to make the bout happen. Unfortunately, after weeks of preparation, training, and expense, Dan was left without a fight at the 11th hour.
What began as a promising night for two ProKick fighters on the Road2Victory fight card in Volendam, ended with an unexpected turn of events.
JAMES BRANIFF (PROKICK BELFAST) VS ZIDANE EL BIALI (TEAM BUNKER, HOLLAND)
James started fast and looked in full control of this B-class contest. Less than a minute into the fight, during a clinch exchange, James delivered a legal knee strike that floored his opponent.
However, the referee ruled the technique illegal and disqualified the ProKick fighter.
After reviewing three independent video recordings, it is clear the decision was incorrect — the strike was clean and within the rules. ProKick has now lodged an official complaint with the governing body, seeking to have the disqualification overturned.
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Despite the setbacks, it’s onward and upward for the Braniff brothers, who are already preparing for their next international challenge — fighting again in Cyprus in less than three weeks’ time.
ProKick continues to stand behind its athletes, confident that justice will be done and James’s record will be cleared.
