Brave Combat Federation will hold “Brave 22: Storm of Warriors” on March 15, 2019 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. In the main event, former Brave CF Featherweight Champion Elias “Smile” Boudegzdame, 25, of France will challenge reigning Brave CF Bantamweight Champion Stephen “The Sniper” Loman, 23, of the Philippines.

“This is gonna be the biggest MMA event for the Philippines’ mixed martial arts because it is the first time a Filipino champion who is getting the largest international endorsement in mixed martial arts coming down and fighting in his home country,” Brave CF president Mohammed Shahid. “So, he’s having a tough fight against a tough opponent.”

For Shahid, the bout between Loman and Boudegzdame is not an easy fight. The Brave CF president said, “It’s a risky fight for Loman.”

“It’s a risky fight bout Elias because they both are tough and these are the fighters that show up in the cage not outside the cage,” Shahid continued. “Both are humble. Both are nice guys outside the cage. These are two guys that show up inside the cage and you don’t know what you’re gonna see inside the cage.”

I asked Shahid whether or not Boudegzdame asked for the title shot. He told me what Brave CF does is to look at the best options and give it to the one who deserves it most.

Nobody deserves a title shot in Brave CF’s bantamweight division as much as Boudegzdame does, according to Shahid. When the French-Algerian fighter was the reigning Brave CF Featherweight Champion, he could have dropped down and challenged Loman to become a two-division champion.

However, Boudegzdame chose to stay in the featherweight division and defend his title from Bubby Jenkins. Unfortunately, it was the American fighter captured the title.

“When they fight, it’s gonna be 50-50 for me,” Shahid said of the bout between Loman and Boudegzdame. “Anything could happen in MMA, you know.”

Shahid admitted that Boudegzdame may not be the best choice as Loman’s opponent at “Brave 22: Storm of Warriors” when it comes to business. However, the Brave CF president said the promotion is not in the business of choosing who is easy to beat for the one who is marketable.

It is going to be particularly tough for Boudegzdame because he will face two opponents, Loman and the Filipino fans, Shahid noted. Watch my full interview with the Brave CF president here: