Latest news with #BRAVECombatFederation
Gulf Insider
6 days ago
- Sport
- Gulf Insider
BRAVE CF 97 Kicks Off In Bulgaria
The BRAVE CF 97 professional mixed martial arts championship is set to commence on Saturday in Burgas, Bulgaria. The event is organised by BRAVE Combat Federation, headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in collaboration with the Bulgarian Fight Agency (BFA). This edition of the championship includes 18 fighters representing 11 countries: Bahrain, Bulgaria, England, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Algeria, France, Georgia, Colombia, Venezuela, Germany, and The Gambia. Representing the Kingdom of Bahrain is KHK MMA fighter Murad Guseinov, who will face Colombian fighter Gabriel Bula. The main event brings together Algerian veteran Mohamed Said Maalem and Bulgarian fighter Kaloyan Kolev. The co-main event will see Bulgarian fighter Pavel Vladev compete against French fighter Abou Tounkara. Other matchups include French fighter Brice Picaud facing Georgia's Lasha Abramishvili, Bulgarian fighter Plamen Penchev against Algeria's Sofiane Bouafia, and Venezuelan fighter Alinson Ochoa versus Gerard Burns of Ireland. Bulgarian fighter Anton Yanchev will face French fighter Johan Van De, while Bulgarian fighter Deyan Galinov will take on Gambian fighter Rami Hamed. The event also included a women's bout between Germany's Songül Karatorak and England's Mim Grubb. Ahead of the championship, participating fighters completed official weigh-ins and face-offs, which were marked by enthusiasm and a spirit of competition expected to be reflected in the upcoming matches. Source Bahrain News Agency
Asharq Al-Awsat
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Behind the Fight: Firmino Tells How Arab Champions Are Made
By: Lulwah Alangari From the heart of the vibrant combat sports scene in the Middle East, the spotlight does not shine solely on those who step into the cage — it also illuminates the quiet figures behind the curtain who discover, nurture, and build champions carrying their nations' dreams to the world stage. At the forefront of these figures stands Brazilian Gustavo Firmino, Vice President of Fighter Affairs and Matchmaker at the Professional Fighters League (PFL), a man who has dedicated his life to finding Arab talent and guiding them from amateur arenas to the heights of international professionalism. Firmino's journey began in Bahrain when he joined BRAVE Combat Federation to manage events and special MMA projects, later coordinating fights and overseeing athlete relations. He recalled those beginnings with a wide smile in his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, saying he would always be grateful to Mr. Mohammed Shahin and Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for trusting him to start this path. When he later moved to PFL MENA, he found himself facing an even more ambitious project. Building a regional league directly connected to global championships was not just a job — 'it was a beautiful dream we're realizing every day,' he said. 'We're not just creating fights; we're drawing long journeys for Arab talents to reach the world stage.' Despite years behind a desk, his genuine passion for martial arts flows like a lifeline through his words. He speaks enthusiastically about his childhood filled with Bruce Lee movies, which later led him to practice judo, then jiu-jitsu in Brazil, and even boxing and Muay Thai in Indonesia. Laughing, he says: 'This isn't just a job... it's who I am.' When asked about his criteria for selecting fighters, Firmino confidently explained that skill alone is not enough — he looks for discipline, hunger, and a story worth telling. This is what makes him a true talent scout, picking hidden stories from dozens of names and turning them into shining stars in the ring. He proudly recounted the story of Egyptian fighter Mohamed Fahmy, who had competed in small tournaments with barely any recorded footage. Yet his background in judo, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling convinced Firmino of his potential. He signed him for the lightweight tournament — and Fahmy defeated the world runner-up in his debut last year. 'Those moments are priceless,' Firmino said, shaking his head in admiration. He also noted that he sometimes spots unknown champions through social media and keeps an eye on Arabs making their mark abroad, such as Morocco's Salahdine Hamli, who rose in Spain and this year reached the lightweight semi-final against Algeria's Souhil Tahiri. When the conversation turned to challenges, particularly sudden withdrawals due to injuries or emergencies, Firmino didn't hesitate to say the path is not always smooth. 'Sometimes a fighter pulls out a week before the fight — or even days before. Luckily, our region is rich with fighters ready to seize the opportunity.' He cited an example when Abdullah Al-Qahtani withdrew due to injury, and his replacement also had to step down for family reasons. In the end, Algerian Akram Nersi stepped up at the last moment and delivered an impressive performance despite his lack of experience. With a glowing smile, Firmino added: 'That's the Arab fighter's heart that amazes me.' Firmino acknowledged that combat sports infrastructure is not yet equal across the Arab world. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Lebanon have made significant strides, while other countries are still at the beginning. But he insists the growth is remarkable and the outlook promising. For young people aspiring to enter the sport, his advice is clear: start at a professional gym, build a strong amateur career, and then sign with a manager who can guide them properly. When asked to name fighters he is particularly proud of, Firmino instantly mentioned Egyptian Omar El Dafrawy, who turned his career from a series of losses to becoming a welterweight champion; Iranian Mohsen Mohammadseifi, whom he followed from BRAVE until he became PFL's lightweight champion in 2024; and Saudi Arabia's Hattan Alsaif, the first Saudi female fighter under the PFL banner. Speaking of her with notable admiration, he said: 'She's not just a pioneer — she has a winner's mentality. It's not enough for her to be the first; she wants to be the best. I'm confident she'll inspire many Saudi women... just watch what's coming.' He continued to speak passionately about the new wave of Saudi fighters, describing them as having 'a different mindset.' They don't compete just to participate, but to win and raise their country's flag. He spoke with pride of Malik Basahl, who shone in his professional debut, and Abdulaziz Bin Moammar, who showed impressive skill even in his amateur debut. He concluded with a special mention of Abdullah Al-Qahtani, who became PFL MENA's first featherweight champion in 2024. When asked about his expectations for the next season, he laughed: 'It's impossible to predict... every fight can change everything, and that's what makes this league truly exciting.' But he was more certain when talking about the future of Arabs in the sport, confidently asserting that the Arab region will produce world champions in combat sports within a few years — especially with focused programs to discover amateur talent and guide them to professionalism. He ended the interview with a decisive look that reflected his deep belief: "This is just the beginning... the future is ours."
Daily Tribune
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Marciano Ferreira makes statement at BRAVE CF 96 with dominant win, eyes flyweight gold
Brazilian flyweight contender Marciano Ferreira delivered a performance to remember at BRAVE CF 96, scoring a commanding unanimous decision victory over Georgia's powerhouse Bidzina Gavashelishvili in a high-stakes bout that could reshape the division's title picture. Ferreira, who first made waves with a stunning KO win over Edilceu Alves at BRAVE CF 78, bounced back in a big way after his setback against Kazakhstan's Dias Yerengaipov at BRAVE CF 91. His calculated and clinical display against Gavashelishvili not only showcased his evolution as a mixed martial artist but also re-established him as a serious threat in BRAVE Combat Federation's flyweight ranks. Speaking after the fight, Ferreira didn't hold back. 'I've got a message for everyone in the division — there's a new champ here, and his name is Marciano Ferreira,' said the rising star. He then directly addressed the BRAVE CF brass: 'So, President — will you give Mokaev a shot? Or are you going to book the rematch with Dias for the belt in Bahrain?' Ferreira ended his fiery postfight interview with a bold challenge to top flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev, calling for a title fight and urging him not to run from the division's new rising force. With his latest performance, Ferreira has reignited his campaign for flyweight gold and made it clear he's ready to take on all challengers. As BRAVE CF continues its 'Year of the BRAVE' campaign, the flyweight division may soon have a new name leading the charge — and it just might be Marciano Ferreira.
Daily Tribune
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
BRAVE CF 96 delivers fireworks
BRAVE Combat Federation returned to Slovenia with a historic night of fights at BRAVE CF 96, and it was nothing short of spectacular. From local heroes to rising international stars, the event at Hala Tivoli was packed with emotion, knockouts, and championship drama. In the main event, Mohammad Fakhreddine cemented his legendary status in BRAVE CF history by reclaiming the Middleweight World Championship. The Lebanese superstar and BRAVE CF's only ever two-division champion finished reigning Light Heavyweight king Erko Jun via TKO at 4:41 of Round 1, proving once again that he is one of the greatest to ever step foot in the BRAVE CF cage. The co-main event saw Serbia's Borislav Nikolic shock the world by submitting champion Nicholas Hwende with a slick ninja choke in Round 4 (1:40), becoming the new BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Champion and closing a wild chapter of verbal warfare with a statement win. The heavyweight showdown between undefeated titans Miha Frlic and Shah Kamali had the arena erupting, delivering one of the most thrilling battles in BRAVE CF heavyweight history. Despite enduring multiple knockdowns, Kamali showed incredible heart and resilience, pushing the fight into the third round. But it was Frlic who sealed the moment, unleashing a final barrage to earn a TKO victory just 29 seconds into Round 3, staying unbeaten and making a bold statement in the division. Earlier on the card, Monika Kucinic delivered validation in her rematch against Sofiia Bagishvili, ending the bout with a stunning TKO at 4:55 of Round 2. The local favorite thrilled the Ljubljana crowd with a career-defining performance. In the Flyweight division, all eyes were on the unofficial tournament to determine who could challenge Muhammad Mokaev. Marciano Ferreira took a massive leap forward, defeating Bidzina Gavashelishvili via unanimous decision in a highstakes technical battle. Slovenian fan-favorite Domen Drnovsek returned to winning ways with a dominant performance over Filip Guša, while Kiril Negru opened the card with a brutal takedown-heavy fight, earning a clear unanimous decision against Róbert Guth. With title changes, local heroes rising and falling, and a main event that added another golden chapter to Fakhreddine's legacy, BRAVE CF 96 will go down as one of the biggest nights in European MMA history.
Gulf Insider
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Insider
BRAVE CF 96 Kicks Off In Slovenia With Two Title Fights
BRAVE Combat Federation will launch BRAVE CF 96 today in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in partnership with the World Freefight Challenge (WFC), as part of the 2025 'Year of the BRAVE' series. The event features two headline world title bouts. In the main event, Bosnian champion Erko Jun will face Lebanon's Mohammad Fakhreddine for the vacant Middleweight title. In the co-main event, Zimbabwe's Bantamweight champion Nicholas Hwende defends his title against Serbia's Borislav Nikolić. Other key matchups include Shah Kamali (Bangladesh) versus Miha Frlic (Slovenia), Sofiia Bagishvili (Georgia) against Monika Kučinič (Slovenia), and Marciano Ferreira (Brazil) versus Bidzina Gavashelishvili (Georgia). Additional fights will feature international and Slovenian athletes across multiple weight divisions. Fighters completed official weigh-ins and face offs, with heightened intensity ahead of the title clashes. Source Bahrain News Agency
