Amir Albazi, Jose Torres

Amir “The Prince” Albazi, 25, of Iraq and Sweden and Jose “Shorty” Torres, 26, of the United States were set to make their respective Brave Combat Federation debuts at “Brave 22: Storm of Warriors” at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines on March 15, 2019. However, the American contender had to pull out of the bout due to injury.

Brave CF decided to move the flyweight bout between Albazi and Torres to “Brave 23: Pride and Honor” on April 19, 2019 at the Martyr Rashid Al-Ziyoud Hall Boxing Arena in Amman, Jordan. Before the fight night, the American contender guaranteed, “I’m 100 percent healthy this time and I’m just getting down in my weight.”

“I’m ready,” Torres declared. “I think it’s going to be an amazing debut. We’re not even in our primes yet.”

“Amir is 25 and I’m 26,” Torres added. “He’s undefeated and I was too up until my last fight. It is going to be an amazing fight.”

Torres competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship before joining Brave CF while Albazi previously competed in Bellator MMA. The former UFC fighter said, “Win, lose or draw for either one, it’s going to be a spectacle.”

“I’m really excited to go to Jordan as their fans are very knowledgeable,” Torres added. “You’re gonna see a 100 percent Jose Torres and I’m excited to see a 100 percent Amir Albazi. It’s definitely going to be worth the wait.”

While Torres was frustrated after having to pull out of “Brave 22: Storm of Warriors” as he was excited to fight in the Philippines, he feels honored to be included in “Brave 23: Pride and Honor,” which he described as the biggest card in Brave CF’s history.”

“I actually ended up very, very sick with the flu,” Torres revealed. “There was a virus going around Chicago and then, I got caught with a kick and a nasty cut opened up, which Amir would have no trouble opening up again if we fought at ‘Brave 22.’ It was extremely frustrating to pull out because it wasn’t my choice.”

“I wanted to prove a point and keep going but my team respectfully asked me to postpone the fight,” Torres continued. “It’s a great change. My last fight was the co-main event, and I was so excited because I’ve never been to the Philippines and it was going to be an awesome debut.”

“Brave 22: Storm of Warriors” was the first ever Brave CF event to take place in the Philippines. Torres and Albazi were supposed to be the co-headliners.

“I was excited to be so high up the card too,” Torres shared. “But now I’m fighting in the biggest-ever Brave card, with three title fights, got pushed up to the main card and being one of the most important fights is an honor.”

Meanwhile, here is a clip featuring Torres and his family: