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The Brave Combat Federation is stepping up its global presence after the runaway success of its events held in Bahrain, with many more international events planned throughout 2017.
After hosting two sold-out Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) extravaganzas at the Brave 1 and 2 events at Khalifa Sports City in 2016, the company believes it has established a strong foundation in the region and wants to flock to fight fans around the world.
The third Brave event has already been pencilled in for February in Curitiba, Brazil, while expansion plans are in place for many more cards in the Middle East. Brave Combat Federation president Mohamed Shahid said: “I believe 2017 marks the beginning of a long and fruitful journey to bring Brave Combat Federation to the rest of the world. “We have the confidence and belief in the value that Brave can bring to the MMA scene. With the expertise, resources and contacts we have built, it’s only a matter of time and hard work. This expansion will unlock additional markets and opportunities for Brave.”
Shahid believes growth in the Middle East is an important goal for the promotion because of the substantial untapped population and potential for exponential financial success. The popularity of the first two Brave events came as a pleasant surprise for the federation.
While there was a known enthusiasm for the sport in Bahrain, the magnitude of the buzz created on social media around the events and the fanatical fervour served up in the stadium was unforeseen. While Brave is going global, it is certain not to forget its roots in a hurry.
The plan is for another Brave event in the kingdom this year, and then onwards into the future as its roster of fighters grows and local talents emerge.
Shahid added: “We believe Brave will potentially be the next big thing for consumers in the Middle East. “We have the right product for the region, and having got our foot in the door first, we understand it more than anyone. We are really excited to see Brave taking the lead in the coming years to grow the sports media and entertainment industry on a global level.”
The second Brave event took place last month, and it proved to be a knock-out event in more ways than one, with plenty of blood and sweat mixed with a fair degree of skilled aggression, powerful perseverance and bruised brutes.
More than four hours of straight action and 10 fights took place on the bill, which was headlined by the powerful Brit Carl ‘The Bomber’ Booth, who proved the main attraction as he came up against Russian opponent Gadzhimusa Gaziev and knocked him out with a vicious right hook in the second round.
Gaziev himseld had shot to fame at the first Brave, where he took a very late call up due to injury and stunned the crowd as he destroyed the previously undefeated Brazilian Thiago Vieira.
