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| For the first time in three years, Stephen Loman will be fighting in the Philippines again. |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MAKATI--Another renowned mixed martial arts promotion will make its way to the Philippines.
Brave Combat Federation, which originated from Bahrain but has become the fastest rising promotion globally in just three years, opens its 2019 calendar with its first stop in Asia's hottest MMA market.
As formally announced by CEO Mohammed Shahid through a pocket press conference at the Sentro 1771 Restaurant, Brave CF 22 will commence on March 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay with 10 fights, including Stephen Loman's much-awaited homecoming.
Loman will defend his Brave bantamweight title right in front of his fellow Filipinos against Elias Boudegzdame.
"[Stephen's] gonna come back to his home for the first time. He's a fighter who went abroad, and everybody in the world knows him," Shahid said of Loman, who comes from the fabled Team Lakay. "It's a homecoming for Stephen Loman."
Loman will be making his first fight at his home country since beating Ernie Braca at PXC 53 on April 8, 2016 at the Solaire Grand Ballroom in Paranaque.
Loman is 4-0 with Brave and has won his last six fights overall, which actually started with the said victory against Braca.
However, his opponent is a toughie as Elias Boudegzdame, of French-Algerian descent, previously won the Brave featherweight title.
After relinquishing his title to Bubba Jenkins, Boudegzdame, the first world champion of Brave, decided to drop to the 135-pound division to challenge Loman for his belt.
Two more Filipino fighters, Jeremy Pacatiw and Jon Cris Corton, are also slated for Brave 22 against unnamed oppositions.
"We are proud to say that we have given the opportunity to Filipino athletes, so definitely we're gonna have five or six fights in the roster with Filipino fighters," Shahid added.
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