Hashem Arkhagha (© Brave Combat Federation)

Undefeated mixed martial artist Hashem “Cavaca” Arkhagha, 30, was one of the hometown heroes who won at “Brave 23: Pride and Honor,” the event with the biggest fight card Brave Combat Federation has put up ever so far. Featuring 12 MMA matches, which included three title bouts, it took place at the Martyr Rashid Al-Ziyoud Hall Boxing Arena in Amman, Jordan April 19, 2019.

“Brave 23: Pride and Honor” was a legendary show with the rise of three world champions, several knockouts and amazing performances all around. For the people of Jordan, it meant the resurgence of MMA as part of Jordan’s sporting culture.

Even though two Jordanian champions lost their belt, the fans still proved they are one of the most passionate crowds in the world with an electric atmosphere greeting every fighter from the locker room to the cage. The biggest cheer was undoubtedly for Arkhagha, a Jordanian MMA pioneer who made his comeback to the sport after almost seven years away.

Arkhagha is one of the most famous faces of the sport in Jordan and had a victorious comeback. He floored Jeremy “Pitbull” Smith, 34, of South Africa with a one-punch knockout, making the crowd erupt with cheers for their hero.

Including Arkhagha, there were five hometown heroes who competed at “Brave 23: Pride and Honor.” The others where former  Brave CF Lightweight Champion Abdul-Kareem “Pride of Palestine” Al-Selwady, 23, former Brave CF Welterweight Champion Jarrah “The Jordanian Lion” Al-Selawe, 26, Jalal Al Daaja, 31, and Ali “The Royal Fighter” Qaisi, 28.

Qaisi had the fans in bliss as he dominated  Georges Bardawil, 25, of Lebanon en route to his second win under the Brave CF banner.

During the pre-fight events, Arkhagha once again was the star of the show for the Jordan crowd. It was a proof that MMA has been brought back to life by the promotions’s return to Jordan as the Abdali Mall was packed with fans for the open workouts as well as the press conference and ceremonial weigh-ins before the fight night.

International fighters were also amazed at the passion Jordanian fans showed throughout fight week with the likes of Luan “Miau” Santiago, 24, of Brazil and Abdoul “Sinistro” Abdouraguimov, 23, of France who dethroned Al-Selwady and Al-Selawe, respectively.

Brazilian Luan “Miau” Santiago, who won the Lightweight title with a stunning KO of Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady, claiming that Jordan was the best crowd they ever saw in any sporting competition. After claiming the inaugural Brave CF Super Lightweight Championship title by defeating Mounir “The Sniper” Lazzez, 31, of Tunisia, Eldar “Khan” Eldarov, 27, of Bahrain praised the Jordan crowd’s passion.

Here is the moment Arkhagha officially made his return to MMA: