India takes a giant stride in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) with a global promotion stepping into the sub continent for the first time in the history of the sport. With an aim to unite the world through the sports of MMA, Asia's largest mixed martial arts organisation, Brave Combat Federation has announced its entry to India in association with Mercury Sports Entertainment.
Brave's grand entry into the country will be flagged off with an action packed fight night, Brave 20 at Gachibowli Stadium, in Hyderabad on December 22.
In a global first, Brave Combat Federation has expanded its format of fight nights, world over to a full blown league in India. The decision comes is in salience to the visionary promoter of this global outfit, His Highness Sheikh Khalid's commitment to cultivate the sport in India and nurture talent, given India's rich heritage in combat sports and the sheer strength of population. The fight night, 'Brave 20' in Hyderabad is a kick starter to a larger action plan.
In India, the Fight Night and thereafter the league is backed by Mercury Sports and Entertainment, while enjoying the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid, Bahrain. Additionally the league will be affiliated to All India Mixed Martial Arts Federation (AIMMAF).
Brave 20, will have 10 bouts across 10 different weight categories and 2 main cards. A stellar line up of world class fighters and top notch Indian fighters, the fight night will see Luana Pinhero, Micol Disegni, Abdul Muneer, Ali Qaisi, Kantharaj, Sidney Wheeler amongst many others, fighting tooth and nail on 22nd Dec'18 in Hyderabad. The fight night also has a few aces rolled up in its sleeves, which shall be revealed to the fans in India, shortly. Brave 20 is a part of the international series of the fights conducted by Brave Combat Federation across the world.
Speaking about Brave 20, Akbar Rasheed, Promoter of Mercury Sports Entertainment LLP, along with other promoters Vamsi Raju and G Srinivas Rao said, "Mercury sports is committed to cultivating top class international sporting events in India. We open our roster with Brave Combat Federation and hosting Brave 20 India which will be followed with an extensive grassroots talent hunt for fighters and then the actual league. MMA is the richest sport worldwide and India has a long drawn history of combat sports. With a massive population and a rich heritage of combat sports I am very confident we will put India on the world map of MMA. Mahboob Khan Mohammed's recent gold in IMMAF world Championship gives further encouragement to take the sport to even the remote corners of the country."
Right after the fight night, Brave Combat Federation in association with Mercury Sports Entertainment will gear up a multi city talent hunt launching an extensive grass roots programme under IAMMAF's guidance. Promising fighters from all over country will be scouted and absorbed into the league through 6 teams representing key cities in India.
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Talking about Brave Combat Federation's India entry, Aditya PS, President, All India Mixed Martial Arts Federation (AIMMAF), said, "This is a momentous occasion in the history of MMA in India. We finally have a global promotion step in. This clearly means we have to up our game. AIMMAF has been nurturing talent and undertaking grass roots development programme right from its inception and now with Brave's entry and its commitment to grass roots programme we see the canvass expanding. Our fighters will not just get a global exposure but also put their best foot forward to match international standards. This expands our horizon and we will see talent from all over the country stepping up. AIMMAF has always been very inclusive and will extend all its support to Brave in India."
The countdown has started; MMA fans all over the country can now catch Brave 20 at home.