MMA Federation presidents, fighters congratulate HH Shaikh Khalid and BRAVE CF

TDT | Manama           

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Presidents of various federations from across the globe were in full praise for the man of the hour, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who not only celebrated his birthday, but also the 6th anniversary of BRAVE Combat Federation on Friday, 23rd September. Six years after the very first BRAVE CF event, the promotion has come a long way in building the sport and laying down foundations for federations, athletes and fans across the globe.

With that said, International Mixed Martial Arts (IMMAF) president, Kerrith Brown, formed part of a long list of distinguished members of the Mixed Martial Arts and larger sporting community who took the time to congratulate His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa on the sixth anniversary of BRAVE Combat Federation, as well as wishes of happy birthday to the combat sports visionary.

“As President of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, I, Kerrith Brown, would like to wish His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa a very happy birthday on the 6th anniversary of BRAVE CF. His Highness has had an extraordinary impact on the global development of this sport in the Middle East and in Asia,” said Brown.

“His Highness has made bold investments in the sport, from the grassroots up to the professional level. Now, with BRAVE CF progressing his Highness’ vision for the growth of Amateur MMA through the impressive Super Cup which was held earlier this year, I look forward to future collaborations with the Bahrain MMA Federation and BRAVE CF for the benefit of the sport and its participation worldwide. Happy Birthday, Your Highness!” added Brown. Heads of various MMA boards showered His Highness and BRAVE CF with blessings for the great work being done thus far with an eye on further global expansion of mixed martial arts. “I would like to congratulate His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for the sixth anniversary of BRAVE Combat Federation.

We as the Slovenian MMA Federation are looking forward to a bright future together, hoping to host more events in Slovenia in the future, even bigger than the BRAVE 34 event hosted in 2020. We aim to take the sport to new heights and develop new superstars in our region for the entire world.

Thank you so much, Your Highness, for all your support you have given to Slovenian MMA and we are very excited for the future of BRAVE CF in our country. MMA is on!” said Slovenian MMA Federation President, Zlatko Mahic. “I would like to congratulate His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalif on the sixth anniversary of BRAVE CF! Thank you so much for your support, Your Highness, for all the support you have given Colombian MMA,” said Jaime Baron, the executive director of LFC and President of the Colombian MMA Federation. While Mixed Martial Arts Mauritius President, Avinash Ramtohul also highlighted the value brought forward by His Highness. “I would like to take this opportunity to wish a wonderful and blessed birthday to His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalif,” says Ramtohul.

“He had a wonderful vision of uniting nations via the celebration of MMA competitions and create opportunities for athletes from around the world. This is also a special occasion as we celebrate the 6th anniversary of BRAVE Combat Federation. I feel proud to be a representative of KHK Sports and BRAVE CF and we are very happy to have his support in the development of MMA in the African region. Thank you, Your Highness, for laying out the plans to bring BRAVE Combat Federation to Mauritius soon for yet another big celebration of African mixed martial arts. We are eager and happy to welcome you to our beautiful island, Mauritius, very, very soon!” Current and former BRAVE Combat Federation athletes took time out of their busy schedules to pay homage to His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and congratulate him on BRAVE CF’s ongoing success.

Former BRAVE CF star and globally-known athlete, Muhammad Mokaev took a moment from his shopping to send blessings to His Highness - whose vision has also created the KHK MMA team - whom Mokaev is affiliated with. “Hey, BRAVE NATION, it’s Muhammad Mokaev here, UFC Flyweight fighter.

I would like to congratulate His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa on his success of six years with BRAVE Combat Federation. I would like to wish him and the entire BRAVE CF staff complement, everybody who works behind the scenes, all the best and I will be at the next BRAVE CF event after my next fight,” said Mokaev. BRAVE CF Middleweight contender, South Africa’s Chad Hanekom was basking in the South African sun while sending a warm message of love and well wishes to Shaikh Khalid. “What’s up BRAVE NATION, South Africa’s Superman, Chad Hanekom here.

I would just like to wish His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa a very happy birthday. And I would like to congratulate him on his continued success with the global expansion of mixed martial arts with BRAVE Combat Federation. See you soon!” Former BRAVE CF star and current UFC athlete, France’s Benoit Saint-Denis was grateful for the opportunity His Highness gave him and for what he learned at BRAVE CF. “A big congratulations to Your Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for the work that he and his team have been doing over the last six years. The hard work and dedication put into BRAVE Combat Federation.

I am very lucky and happy to have been part of BRAVE Combat Federation’s story. I grew up there as a mixed martial artist and am forever grateful. Thank you, Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and thank you, BRAVE CF!” Other big-name athletes who have also shared their congratulations to BRAVE CF and HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa include former champion Jarrah Al-Silawi and Flyweight tournament finalist Ali Bagautinov.

As if the day is not special enough, His Highness’ birthday and BRAVE CF’s 6th anniversary also coincided with the official launch of the much-anticipated BRAVE CF TV App. Global MMA superstar, Conor McGregor’s head coach, Ireland’s John Kavanagh took a moment from his time in Portugal to send BRAVE CF founder and owner, HH Shaikh Khalid a very special birthday message and congratulations on the six years of BRAVE CF.

“For six years BRAVE Combat Federation has been going now, and you’ve certainly achieved what you set out to do. BRAVE CF is truly the one global MMA organization, that other big one in the United States of America likes to say it is, but pretty much 99 percent of their shows are in the USA,” quipped Kavanagh alluding to the fact that BRAVE CF is truly more globally recognized than the Ultimate Fighting Championship especially after BRAVE CF became the most-travelled MMA organization on the planet visiting its 28th country in August.