MMA News: Middle East Promotion Reaping Dividends Of Focusing On Asian Talent

Mixed martial arts (MMA) promotions have been trying to find ways to thrive, and a key to that is talent.

Outlets like ONE Championship and the Professional Fighters League have had key signings, big-name fighters that will certainly get a boost.

However, the thing to consider here is their age and how well they can fare against the equally talented competition.

On the part of Brave CF, the focus is to tap the Asian market and give fighters from this portion of the world the chance to shine. There may not be a lot of big names to see, but somehow the promotion has found a way to create noise.

Proof of that is the blockbuster offerings they have been able to come up with, giving MMA a different kind of show that has been a success.

“The true business success is based on action, making starts instead of bringing already-made stars and on-ground presence wherever you go in the MMA markets,” Brave CF president Mohammed Sahid stated. “That’s true business talk. Those are true points of comparison.”

Establishing its grassroots in the Middle East, Brave CF has staged nearly 50 live events since its inaugural card in September 2016. Furthermore, the organization have staged these events across different continents, particularly in Russia, Sweden, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Mexico and the Philippines.

‘’The impact that BRAVE CF has on these nations is huge, and it’s all for the development of the sport. (Its founder Shaikh Khaled bin Hamad Al Khalifa) His Highness’ vision is to truly bring the world together through sports,” Shahid stated.

A lot of new MMA heroes have been produced as a result of these efforts. Among the names that may ring a bell include Ali Bagautinov, Jose “Shorty” Torres, Elias Boudegzdame, Zach Makovsky and Mohammad Fakhreddine.

However, other homegrown stars have been added to that mix. Muhammad Mokaev and Jarrah Al-Silawi are just some of the new and rising stars that Brave CF now has under its umbrella.

"We have the best scouting program in the world, there’s no doubt about it. That’s because we connect with MMA people around the world, we connect with the gyms, with their national federations, with everyone involved in the sport. That’s how you unearth the gems that we have,” Shahid explained.

Another event is about to take place in Brave CF 47: Asian Domination. The card will offer fight fans a glimpse at some of the locally popular names from the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

This will be part of a stacked four-event stretch known as “21 Days of MMA Mayhem,” leading to the highly-anticipated BRAVE CF 50 on Apr. 1.