Indian MMA pioneer Mohammed Farhad targets BRAVE CF return in 2026

Indian mixed martial arts veteran Mohammed Farhad is planning a return to BRAVE Combat Federation in 2026, a comeback that could mark the final chapter of one of the longest and most influential careers in Indian MMA.

Farhad, who holds a professional record of 13-7-0 (1 NC), is widely regarded as one of the original trailblazers of the sport in India. Nicknamed Sher-e-Hind, he competed at a time when Indian MMA lacked structure, visibility, and international opportunity.

His place in history was secured at BRAVE CF 1, where Farhad became the first Indian MMA fighter to defeat an international opponent inside a BRAVE CF cage. The victory came at a crucial moment for Indian MMA, signaling that local fighters could compete on the global stage. He remains the only active Indian MMA fighter to have competed during the years when Mohammed Shahid, President of BRAVE CF, was himself an active professional fighter. That overlap places Farhad among the rare athletes who witnessed the promotion’s evolution from its earliest days.

One result, in particular, continues to stand out. Since Farhad’s victory over Pakistan’s Uloomi Karim at BRAVE CF 47, no male Indian MMA fighter has defeated a male Pakistani opponent in BRAVE CF or any comparable major international promotion. The rivalry has produced several high-profile matchups, but Farhad’s win remains the last of its kind.

“When we started, Indian MMA had passion but very few platforms,” Farhad said. “BRAVE CF changed that. Today, fighters like Owais Yakoob, Suchika Tariyal, and Aarthi Khatri show how far Indian MMA has come. We are no longer just participating, we are competing globally and making an impact for the future of Indian MMA.”

With Owais Yakoob (5-1-0), Suchika Tariyal (2-0-0), and Aarthi Khatri (6-1-0) emerging as part of a confident new wave, Farhad’s possible return in 2026 would serve as a symbolic bridge between Indian MMA’s formative years and its future.