Jeremy Smith, Hashem Arkhagha

Fighting out of Jordan, undefeated mixed martial artist Hashem “Cavaca” Arkhagha, 30, was one of the winners at “Brave 23: Pride and Honor.” It was his first bout and first victory in Bahrain-based MMA promotion Brave Combat Federation.

Featuring 12 MMA matches, which included three title bouts, “Brave 23: Pride and Honor” took place at the Martyr Rashid Al-Ziyoud Hall Boxing Arena in Amman, Jordan. It was the second Brave CF event to take place in the country.

In the ninth bout of the evening, Arkhagha faced Jeremy “Pitbull” Smith, 34, of South Africa. They competed at a catch weight of 86 kg.

Coming back from a six-year layoff, Arkhagha delivered the biggest performance of his career. He landed a counter punch to make Smith land his face flat on the canvas in the opening seconds of their catchweight bout.

Winning at “Brave 23: Pride and Honor” improved Arkhagha’s professional MMA record of 5 wins and 0 loss. On the other hand, Smith now has 8 wins and 6 losses.

Arkhagha was one of the five hometown heroes at “Brave 23: Pride and Honor” while Smith was one of the two fighters who represented South Africa. Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, England, France, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Russia, Sweden, Tunisia, the United States and Wales were also represented.

It was a successful comeback for Arkhagha. A Jordanian MMA pioneer, he made his successful professional MMA debut in 2010, competed in Desert Force MMA until 2012 and went on hiatus from 2013 to 2018.

On December 8, 2010, Arkhagha submitted Mohamed El-Dwansy, 36, of Cairo, Egypt via armbar at “Desert Force 1” at the Amman National Orthodox Club Gymnasium in Amman. On September 30, 2011, the Jordanian fighter returned to the same venue and knocked out Mohammed Abu Naim of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia via punches at “Desert Force 3: Elimination Series: Knockout Round.”

On March 30, 2012, Arkhagha submitted Mahmoud “Steel Man” Salama, 42, of Cairo via armbar in the main event of “Desert Force 4: Middle East Grand Prix” at Amman National Orthodox Club Gymnasium. On December 14, 2012, the Jordanian fighter knocked out Ibrahim Elsawi, 32, of Cairo via punches in the main event of “Desert Force 6: Round 2 on MBC Action at the Al-Hussein Youth City Boxing Arena in Amman.

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