Stephen Loman is approaching the most crucial point of his career, and, remarkably, the inspiration fueling his comeback comes from outside the world of mixed martial arts.
The former BRAVE CF bantamweight world champion is looking toward tennis sensation Alex Eala, whose extraordinary breakthrough on the international stage has captured the imagination of Filipinos everywhere.
"It is exciting to think that someone like Alex Eala has made such a huge impact in tennis globally," Loman told ESPN.
"This is something new for our country. It is inspiring because the Philippines is now being recognized in the sport of tennis."
No one can blame Loman if the so-called "Eala Mania" has swept him up, just as it has millions of Filipinos.
The 21-year-old has skyrocketed in popularity as a trailblazer for Philippine tennis, shattering barriers that had stood for generations.
After becoming the first Filipino to enter the WTA Top 100 in 2025, her meteoric ascent into the Top 20 -- anchored by her maiden WTA Tour singles title at the Mubadala DC Open in August -- elevated her status to that of a generational sports icon.
Her giant-slaying exploits have only added fuel to the frenzy.
Eala has beaten notable names such as Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula, while her explosive left-handed forehand and relentless fighting spirit have made her a compelling figure for Filipino sports fans.
Loman, himself a natural-born southpaw, sees something familiar in her competitive character.
"Tennis is her sport, but you can see her courage," he told ESPN. "She is like a fighter. She is fearless. That is what I like about her."
Eala's appeal extends beyond her match results.
She has openly embraced her Filipino roots, regularly conducting post-match interviews in Tagalog and connecting with her compatriots around the world.
Her emergence from a country that has long lacked a robust tennis infrastructure has sparked a wave of national pride rarely seen outside the feats of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
That is precisely the mentality Loman wants to carry into his fight against Lasha Abramishvili at Pula Arena in Croatia on Saturday.
After three years away from competition, Loman returns against Abramishvili in the co-main event of BRAVE CF 108.
There will be little room for sentiment once the cage door closes.
Loman's lengthy absence stems largely from his unexplained inactivity in ONE Championship, as more than two years passed after his closely contested unanimous decision loss to John Lineker in September 2023.
The situation was further complicated by the war in the Middle East, with BRAVE Combat Federation based in Bahrain.
And when Loman finally secured a return date, he was not handed a carefully selected opponent designed to ease him back into action.
Abramishvili has won eight consecutive bouts, six by stoppage, since Loman began his hiatus in 2023. Four of those victories came inside the BRAVE CF cage, helping him build an impressive 12-2-1 record.
Loman refuses to dwell on the circumstances.
His focus is on doing what Eala has repeatedly shown Filipino athletes can do: Confront the odds and find a path through them.
"Alex Eala has played against the best tennis players, but she found a way to win," Loman said.
"That is what I will do in my upcoming fight. I will find a way to win."
With the winner expected to move on to vie for the vacant BRAVE CF bantamweight world championship, Loman knows there is no room for unforced errors.
At some point against Abramishvili, he will face his own break point, a moment that could test his composure after three years away. He will have to stay patient, weather the pressure, and capitalize when his opportunity comes.
Eala has shown him that the biggest stages are not reserved for those who never face adversity.
They belong to those brave enough to keep fighting through it.
Now, Loman gets his chance to follow suit, and he hopes his long-awaited return this Saturday ends with his own version of game, set, and match.
