His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, 32, has inaugurated the activities of the BRAVE International Combat Week 2022, which is being held under his patronage. He is the BRAVE Combat Federation founder, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, the Public Sports Authority president and the Bahrain Olympic Committee president.

Held at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town, Bahrain from March 8-12, 2022, the event is organized by the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation (BMMAF) in cooperation with the International Martial Arts Mixed Federation (IMMAF) and the Khalid Bin Hamad Sports Organization (KHK SPORTS). Parts of the event are BRAVE CF’s 57th event and the first edition of MMA Super Cup, the largest amateur mixed martial arts tournament.

Al Khalifa said Bahrain has become an ideal destination to host major continental and international tournaments and forums. Thanks to the sponsorship and support that Bahraini sport is witnessing from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, and the interest and support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. 

“We have outlined our vision to support the sport of mixed martial arts, which has become the focus of everyone’s attention around the world,” Khalid shared. “Bahrain has achieved wide successes in this sport and was able to reach the top of the IMMAF classification and the establishment of BRAVE Combat Federation had a clear impact in setting our goals for global expansion, which strengthened the presence of the Kingdom of Bahrain in this global sport.”

“Bahrain is the favorite destination for the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation after it gained the confidence of the Federation in its wonderful and distinguished organization of three copies of the World Championship,” Khalid continued. “This granted it hosting and organizing the first version of the MMA Super Cup for the amateur MMA teams, which will launch from the Kingdom of Bahrain, as an approved competition within the competitions of the International Federation.”

Khalid noted that the efforts of the BMMAF, the IMMAF and the KHK SPORTS achieved the work in the spirit of one team and produced this event in a distinctive way that supports Bahrain’s reputation and standing at the global level. He also expressed his wishes to witness strong and exciting fights among all athletes.

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In IMMAF president Kerrith Brown‘s speech during the ceremony, he said he has great confidence in the first edition of the MMA Super Cup. He noted his appreciation to Khalid’s follow-up and support to raise the level of MMA as a sport and praised the efforts of the KHK SPORTS headed by BRAVE CF president Mohammed Shahid.

Brown also appreciated the cooperation and efforts of the BMMAF headed by Mohammed Ali Qambar in implementing programs that raise the levels of Bahraini MMA. The IMMAF president wished all the success to the participating teams in this event.

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As Khaled stated, holding “BRAVE CF 57” is a great opportunity to meet professionals from different countries competing in this special edition that will witness three important events. Most notably, Hamza “The Pride of Bahrain” Kooheji, 29, of Bahrain and Brad “Superman” Katona, 30, of Canada will compete for the BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Championship.

Katona was an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter from 2018 to 2019 before joining BRAVE CF in 2021. Here is a recent interview with him: