There’s a new Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) federation that’s coming to Manila and have assembled a truly exciting and slam-bang fight card that hard-core Filipino MMA fight fans will surely love.
Bahrain-based Brave Combat Federation or Brave CF is coming to Manila with its first local promotion entitled “Brave 22: Storm of Warriors.” This historic fight card will feature an ensemble of outstanding Filipino fighters from Team Lakay, bannered by Brave CF World Bantamweight Champion Stephen “The Sniper” Loman, who will engage several foreign fighters inside the Brave CF octagon cage.
This fight card in Manila is something that Brave CF has been looking at for a long time, according to Brave CF President Mohammed Shahid. He said he believes that Philippine champions represent not just their country and culture but also the rest of Asia and will soon be great MMA world champions.
“They will be great not just because they fought in their region and their country but they also showed the heart of the Filipino fighter. I hope you welcome them as they fight in their own home,” explains Shahid at the sidelights of the press conference that announced the exclusive broadcast deal between Brave CF and TV5.
Shahid pointed out that when he first came here, many Filipinos don’t know Loman, and explained that it was because he was representing the country around the world. He proudly declared that Loman fought against the biggest prospects from Brazil like Felipe Efrain, or Frans Mlambo from South Africa whom Loman beat twice, first in Bahrain and next in his home country Ireland.
“He has proved his caliber as a world champion by beating the best fighters around the world. We’re glad we partnered with TV5 and with their support, we know we will send the right message of what truly global MMA is and what the Filipino champions have achieved and continue to achieve for themselves and for their country and for the future of MMA. This is just the beginning of exciting things to happen,” Shahid added.
Vincent “Chot” Reyes, former professional basketball coach and now President of TV5, said the partnership between Brave CF and TV5, the home of ESPN5, the country’s top sports network, is part of its advocacy to discover hidden gems in sports. “We take pride in bringing the exploits of local athletes to the screen whenever they compete, and this partnership with Brave CF is the same. On March 15, many people will see who Stephen Loman is when he fights here at home, how he fights against a very tough challenger, and ESPN5 will be there to bring you the action.”
Meanwhile, Lloyd Manaloto, ESPN5 Head, said that in Brave CF’s inaugural fight card in the Philippines, they will also be testing a few new technologies. “We’ve been doing it for our coverage of various sports events, so we’ll again be doing something new on fight night. With the new equipment we brought in, we know the audience will witness something truly world class.”
For the main event of Brave CF 22: “Storm of Warriors,” Stephen “The Sniper” Loman will make the third defense of his bantamweight world title against challenger Elias Bougdegzdame from France. Ten other Filipino fighters like Jeremy Pacatiw, Mark Alcoba, Rolando Dy, Harold Banario, Rex de Lara, Jayson Margallo, John Cris Corton, Jason Vergara, and Jomar Pa-ac will see action in the supporting bouts.
Brave CF 22: “Storm of Warriors” will happen on March 15, 2019 (Friday) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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