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| (Image Source: MMA Underground/BRAVE Combat Federation) |
As a proactive and positive contribution putting the Kingdom of Bahrain on the global combat sports map, BRAVE Combat Federation which is founded by is Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee has become one of the most successful Bahraini exports in the world. BRAVE CF has been directing the attention of the world to the Kingdom of Bahrain since its inception in 2016 as it toured the globe holding events across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and South America coining it the fastest growing and most global promotion in the world. BRAVE CF has made Bahrain the epicenter of mixed martial arts globally and popularized the nation in Brazil, UAE, India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Jordan, Indonesia, Northern Ireland, Morocco, Colombia, Pakistan, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, England, Romania, Kyrgyzstan, Slovenia, Sweden, Russia, Belarus, Italy, Poland, Serbia, and now South Korea.
BRAVE CF 58, held inside the Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon, South Korea on April 30, 2022 in association with South Korea-based MMA organization BEAST CF, has put Bahrain on the global map once again as the truly global promotion works on developing mixed martial arts in South Korea and creating an ecosystem that allows young men and women to have a clear path to stardom in the sport. South Korea is the latest country to join the visionary combat sports revolution spearheaded by His Highness Shaikh Khaled bin Hamad Al Khalifa. As BRAVE CF is near towards its 6-year mark, the success of His Highness vision is immensely noticeable in the eyes of combat sports enthusiasts across the globe as the promotion ventures in untapped markets successfully. BRAVE CF uses its wide-ranging network of government officials, federations and gyms to truly kickstart a small revolution in the sport locally, a goal it has accomplished in 26 countries thus far. With BRAVE CF events, these nations have experienced exponential growth in MMA interest, and the local fighters have become esteemed representatives of their societies.
BRAVE Combat Federation’s first show in Korea was a coming-of-age moment for mixed martial arts in the country as Korean fighters outlasted their worldwide opponents by 4 wins to 3 defeats, and were led by an incredible performance from In Jae La, who beat Mzwandile Hlongwa in the main event of BRAVE CF 58. Aside from La, Ho Taek Oh, Jae Hyuk Bang, and Yerin Hong beat their opponents from outside Korea, while Yoon Sung Jang, Yong Soo Jung, and Chang Ho Lee fell short. Oh beat Rolando Dy (Philippines), Jae Hyuk Bang bested Walter Cogliandro (Italy), while Yerin Hong took a big decision over Gillian Goh (Singapore). ‘’Mudtank’’ La put on a wrestling clinic to deny any offense by explosive striker Hlongwa en route to a dominant decision victory. In his promotional debut, In Jae showcased why he’s one of Asia’s finest Middleweights by completely dominating Hlongwa. In the co-main event, Marcin Bandel grinded out an impressive win over a game Luis Felipe Dias, who almost knocked out ‘’Bomba’’ in the second round before succumbing to the Pole’s superior grappling. Issa Isakov and Ho Taek Oh earned two impressive stoppages, with the Belgian wrestler earning a big TKO over Maciej Gierszewski, and Oh beating Dy by submission after dropping the experienced Filipino striker. Elsewhere, there were impressive wins for Axel Sola, Abdullah Al-Qahtani, and Sim Kai Xiong.
BRAVE CF 58 Official Results
• Middleweight: In Jae La def. Mzwandile Hlongwa via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Super Welterweight: Marcin Bandel def. Luis Felipe Dias via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Lightweight: Ho Taek Oh def. Rolando Dy via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1
• Super Lightweight: Issa Isakov def. Maciej Gierszewski via TKO - Round 2
• Catchweight 67 kg: Jae Hyuk Bang def. Walter Cogliandro via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Featherweight: Abdullah Al-Qahtani def. Yong Soo Jung via unanimous decision (3x 30-27)
• Catchweight 77kg: Axel Sola def. Yoon Sung Jang via unanimous decision (3x 30-27)
• Flyweight: Sim Kai Xiong def. Chang Ho Lee via unanimous decision (3x 29-28)
• Atomweight: Yerin Hong def. Gillian Goh via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Heavyweight: Myung Hwan Kim def. Jun Soo Lim via TKO - Round 1
• Featherweight: Joo Sang Yoo def. Doo Seok Oh (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
BRAVE CF is set to return to South America with the announcement of its upcoming event, BRAVE CF 59, slated to take place in Goiânia, Brazil on July 30, 2022 with Liliane Mesquita Producao as its hosting partner; however, it has not been confirmed whether other events will be taking place prior to that. BRAVE CF ventured into Brazil for its promotional debut in 2017. Brazil was the first country to host a BRAVE CF event outside of its headquarters making BRAVE CF 3 in Curitiba, Brazil the first international destination of the fastest growing promotion in the world. After a successful debut, BRAVE CF returned to Curitiba a few months later for its eighth edition. BRAVE CF returned to Brazil for a third time in March of 2018 as the promotion ventured into Belo Horizonte with another title doubleheader.
