Islam Makhachev impressed by Indian MMA star Mohammed Farhad, predicts win

08 April 2023

Mohammed "Sher-e-Hind" Farhad, the top-ranked bantamweight in India, is recognised for his unmatched hitting skills. In twelve professional victories, he has eleven knockouts. Yet the veteran of the BRAVE CF is motivated to improve as a fighter and win the first-ever Indian BRAVE CF championship.

To prepare for his epic rematch with Ruel "Bagsik" Panales of the Philippines at BRAVE CF 70 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on April 23, he recently divided his current training camp between Dagestan's famous grappling, sambo, and wrestling schools Khabib School and KHK Team Dagestan.

As a result of Farhad's unintended kick to Panales' groin in the second round, which caused the referee to rule the fight a No Contest, the two will square off once more in a rematch.

After that match, Farhad has been studying at renowned Dagestani universities, where many accomplished mixed martial artists have earned their degrees. Islam Makhachev, the current Lightweight world champion, is one of the fighters who trains at Khabib Academy. He has been quite impressed with Farhad's skills so far and thinks he will triumph at BRAVE CF 70.

“Farhad will do very well in his next fight. He has been training hard here" said the Russian superstar.

At BRAVE CF 1: The Beginning, Farhad, an Indian MMA pioneer who has been with the organisation since the beginning, defeated Moroccan Badr-Eddine Ahlzine with punches in the second round. The 34-year-old remains one of the most dangerous athletes in the Bantamweight class after four knockouts in four victories and is now aiming to overwhelm his opponents with all the tools required to wear BRAVE CF gold.

Since then, he has improved his wrestling and grappling techniques. On April 23, he will face Panales in Ljubljana to settle the score as both sportsmen compete for higher honours in the BRAVE CF 135-pound division.

ALSO READ | BRAVE CF 70: Ruel Panales took the easy way out, says Mohammed Farhad

After BRAVE CF 34 in January 2020, BRAVE CF 70 will mark the promotion's second visit to Slovenia in just over three years. The main event of BRAVE CF 70, which is co-promoted with the top regional organisation WFC, will feature a Light Heavyweight match between Marko Drmonjic and Erko Jun.

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