Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The Brave Combat Federation has stepped up its global charge to showcase the best of MMA as it conducted the Bahrain-based promotion’s first event in Mexico.
Brave 7: Untamed took place in Casino Caliente in Tijuana, featuring 10 bouts and athletes from five nations including the US, Mexico, Lebanon, Philippines and Costa Rica.
Lebanese fighter Hassan Fakhreddine made his MMA debut with a victory marking the first victory of an athlete from Middle East in Mexico. ‘The Young Assassin’ faced local prospect Rodrigo Reyes in front of a hostile audience, but he showed his boxing credentials and secured his first pro win with a TKO after a doctor stoppage.
In the main event, Alejandro Martinez squared off against Fabian Quintanar for the second time, in what was beforehand touted as the biggest rivalry in Mexican MMA. Both fighters started the first round looking for the leg kicks. Even though Quintanar had the reach advantage, it was Martinez controlling the distance and throwing long range punches.
Closer to the end of the first round, Martinez’s low kicks started to damage Quintanar’s leg and reduce his mobility.
Early into the second round, Quintanar went for the single leg but Martinez defended well. Soon after, it was Martinez’s turn to go for the takedown and successfully took the fight to the ground twice. After the second takedown, Alejandro got Quintanar’s back quickly and that was the beginning of the end. With a tight rear-naked choke locked, Martinez waited for the tap and got his second win in a row against his foe.
With the triumph, Martinez improved his professional record to 3-0. The Mexican lightweight, who had an extensive and victorious amateur career, is now 2-0 under Brave’s banner.
Afterwards, he issued challenges to top fighters from the Middle East for his upcoming bouts, and specifically called out Palestinian Abdul Kareem Al- Selwady.
Mohammed Shahid, the president of the Brave Combat Federation, said afterwards: “We are proud to reach out to athletes around the world through progressive steps. We are glad that following Brave 7, we have reached 84 nations around the world, thereby bringing global attention towards the kingdom of Bahrain. The initiative was also successful in providing an opportunity for athletes from Middle East to showcase their abilities on a global platform.
The eighth edition of Brave will take place on August 12, in Brazil. Two championship titles are on the line, with Timo Feucht from Germany facing Klidson Abreu from Brazil for the Light Heavyweight Championship, while Mohammad Fakhreddine from Lebanon will face Carl Booth from the UK for the Welterweight Championship.
