Brave Combat Federation, the Mohammed Shahid-led promotion heads to Abu Dhabi this Friday night ( March 31, 2017 ) for its first Brave event in the UAE, and it happens to feature an inaugural championship fight! Brave 4 takes place at IPIC Arena, Zayed Sports City with a huge fight card stacked with the most famous Middle Eastern talents.
Other than the fact that it’s live and free for many, here are five reasons you need to check out the exciting slate of fights this weekend.
Fighting for more than gold
After originally being scheduled to happen at Brave 2: Dynasty, the first ever Brave Combat Federation belt will be on the line in Abu Dhabi, as Elias Boudegzdame and Masio Fullen will go toe-to-toe in featherweight title fight.
Elias Boudegzdame made his Brave debut in December 2016 against Walel Watson, and he wasted no time letting the featherweight division know he was there to take over, picking up a remarkable submission in round 1. That win set up the stage for his first title fight at Brave 4. He walks into this fight with a 4 win streak and a whole lot of heart.
Fullen made his promotional debut at Brave 1 ” The Beginning ” making a statement with a first round TKO of India’s most popular fighter Abdul Muneer. A UFC veteran, the big stage is no stranger for the pride of Guadalajara, Mexico. He will get the change to make headlines again next Friday.
It’s not just about who gets strapped, it’s about building a legacy as the first ever Brave champion. It’s a main event that you don’t want to miss.
Lebanon’s Mohammad Fakhreddine looking to make a statement
Former Desert Force champion Mohammad Fakhreddine (8-1) will look to get this ninth professional career win on Friday night when he makes his highly awaited Brave Combat Federation debut.
Fakhreddine was set to headline the first edition of Brave CF (Brave 1: The Beginning) which was scrapped due to injury.
“The Latest” known for his brawling style, has finished 6 out of his 8 wins and is confident he can get the job done at Brave 4: Unstoppable. Yet he must be wary of the Brazilian Marcus Vinicius who boasts a similar record with 6 finishes of his own.
It should be a cracking fight and an impressive win for Fakhreddine in this co-main event could send him flying up the Brave rankings and set him up for a title fight.
A Lightweight contender could emerge
With 3 events in the books, Brave is yet to crown divisional champions. Nevertheless, this card features two lightweight bouts, with each having its own significance in the division.
Abdulkareem Al Selwady cemented himself as a legitimate lightweight fighter when he headlined Brave 1, finishing Rami Aziz in a dominant fashion. A win over Alexandre Rodrigues will mark his second victory under the Brave CF banner and potentially set him up for a title fight.
Ottman Azaitar (8-0) will put his undefeated record on the line when he faces 5 time UK champion Charley Leary at Brave 4. Azaitar made his debut in the welterweight division, clearly outclassing Kevin Koldobskey. With a 9th win, he could be a top candidate to fight for that belt.
UFC Fighters Turned Brave
Former UFC fighters Alan Omer and Robbie Peralta bring a combined record 49 professional fights to their brave combat federation debut.
Peralta (18-7) has finished 15 of his victories, 13 via technical knockout. His aggressive ground and pound is dangerous to any fighter he faces. Omer (19-5) on the contrary is known for his high level grappling, with 10 of his 16 finishes by way of submission.
This cannot be hyped as a grappler vs. striker, as both fighters are dangerous wherever the fight goes. One thing is guaranteed is some high level MMA, with both fighters trying to finish.
Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi !!!
For its fourth installment, Brave Combat Federation chose to head to the world Jiu-Jitsu capital, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi plays host every year to the world’s largest BJJ display, the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu Jitsu Championships, which this year happen to take place less than a month after Brave 4. The BJJ championships attract thousands of athletes from all around the world, and entail cash prizes of millions of dirhams.
This edition of Brave will feature its first ever title fight between Boudegzdame and Fullen. A BRAVE champion will be crowned. Not only will people get to watch some high level MMA, the line-up is filled with the top Middle Eastern talents, students will get the chance to go in for free!
The Emirati capital has also staged two events in the span of four years for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC 112, and UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson.
