BRAVE CF plans to welcome more Indian MMA fighters to Development Programme

LockerRoom Team

22 Sep 2023

The BRAVE CF Development Program, in partnership with KHK MMA, continues to make waves on the global MMA stage by offering unwavering support to athletes worldwide. This groundbreaking initiative encompasses various aspects such as training assistance with the KHK MMA team in the Kingdom of Bahrain, medical aid, competition backing, media and sports consultation, and a guaranteed contract with BRAVE CF.

In 2023, Mahboob Khan, the rising star from India, earned his place in the program after emerging as the most prominent Indian MMA prospect under the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). Hailing from Hyderabad, Mahboob Khan's incredible journey saw him transition from being a cab driver supporting his family to becoming the first-ever Indian fighter to clinch a gold medal at the IMMAF World Championship. Alongside this historic achievement, he also secured seven national titles in MMA.

Since joining the BRAVE CF Development Program just three months ago, Mahboob Khan has showcased remarkable growth in his skill set. His training alongside the KHK MMA Fight Team, which boasts top athletes from major MMA promotions, including BRAVE CF, UFC, PFL, and Bellator, has played a pivotal role in his rapid development. The undeniable success of Mahboob Khan as a pilot candidate for the BRAVE CF Development Program has bolstered the confidence of the leadership at BRAVE CF, prompting them to announce plans for an expanded India Programme to support more MMA fighters in 2024.

Commenting on this groundbreaking initiative, Sharif Mohammed Bapu, President of MMA INDIA and Director of South Asia, Asian MMA Federation, stated, "Securing the commitment and support from BRAVE Combat Federation to initiate the developmental program for Indian athletes is a remarkable initiative and opens numerous possibilities for Indian athletes to represent the nation at a global level. We are confident that the opportunity will create a positive impact among the athletes and would like to thank His Highness Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa for the support and Mohammed Shahid, President of BRAVE Combat Federation."

India has been a focal point for global MMA promotions, with BRAVE CF hosting major shows in the country in 2017, 2018, and 2019. These efforts and strategic partnerships with MX Player and JIOTv have solidified India's significance as a key market for the rapidly expanding global promotion.

Mohammed Shahid, President of BRAVE CF, expressed his enthusiasm for the Indian market, saying, "India is a huge market for Combat Sports. We love India and the passion of the athletes and fans for the sport. We have definitive plans in the pipeline to not just host events but also to nurture the thriving ecosystem for MMA in India. We love hosting events there and more than anything we look forward to giving Indian athletes the exposure to represent the nation worldwide. We have one of the largest fan followings for the brand from India, so we also have exciting initiatives for our fans out there in the region to be unveiled in the coming days and want to give our fans more reasons to engage with the brand."

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With the continued support of the BRAVE CF Development Program and the growing momentum of MMA in India, Mahboob Khan's success story is only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey for Indian fighters on the international stage.