Fighting festival

Mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters from around the world are battling for title and glory at Khalifa Sports City Arena as part of Brave International Combat Week.

More than 600 athletes from more than 50 countries are involved in hundreds of bouts taking place throughout the fighting festivities, which end on Saturday. Team Bahrain will be featuring 22 athletes to compete for the seniors and seven for the juniors as the squad looks to maintain first place in the rankings.

BRAVE Combat Federation will be putting on its most exciting event of the year on Friday – BRAVE CF 29. It will have 15 bouts with former world champions competing, an inaugural title fight and the first-ever KHK World Championships taking place.

The one-night, four-men, open weight tournament will be featured during BRAVE CF 29 and will crown the first-ever KHK World Champion. The winner will have to defeat two opponents on the same night and will be awarded a check for US$100,000 as well the right to be called the first-ever KHK belt provisional holder. The KHK belt itself is a historical prize, as it is adorned with 6.2kg gold, more than any other trophy in sports today, including the FIFA World Cup, the Wimbledon trophy, and other prestigious prizes.

The BRAVE International Combat Week is also coinciding with sixth edition of the IMMAF World Championships held in Las Vegas. Team Bahrain is in the running for Team of the Year with one of its biggest stars also nominated for two special awards.

Pasha Kharkhachaev, the reigning Super Heavyweight amateur world champion is among the nominees for Performance of the Year and Athlete of the Year.