WHAT was supposed to be Brave Combat Federation’s second Manila event later this year is no longer happening after the promotion decided to defer it and play Romania instead.
In an announcement shared to media late on Tuesday night, Brave said that due to “unforeseen circumstances” it made the decision to move its 28th show from the Philippines to Romania, where it will be making its debut.
The Romania event will be co-promoted with top local organization Real Xtreme Fighting on Nov. 4 in Bucharest.
Despite the postponement of its Manila return, Brave reiterated that it was still committed to engaging the Philippine mixed martial arts scene, which it said it values as a market especially since it is home to world bantamweight champion Stephen “The Sniper” Loman of Team Lakay.
Brave made its Philippine live show debut on March 1.
It was headlined by Mr. Loman, who successfully defended his title by stopping challenger Elias “Smile” Boudegzdame of Algeria in devastating fashion in the fourth round.
Brave officials raved about the good turnout and reception that its first show in Manila had, even calling it “the best Brave show” so far.
“It’s the greatest event I have witnessed, the best Brave yet. I really enjoyed it even if I was preoccupied with a lot of things for much of the time. The fans were great, the people were great. And I could not wait to come back here and stage another event,” said Brave CF President Mohammed Shahid in an interview after the event.
For its Manila show, Bahrain-based Brave CF partnered with ESPN5 as its official broadcaster. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
