'Brave 11' public weigh-in results

Brave Combat Federation hosted the official weigh-ins at the Ouro Minas Palace Hotel which was presided by Mohammed Shahid, President of Brave Combat Federation and MMA Legend and pioneer, Wanderlei Silva. The weigh-ins were conducted after performing the mandatory exams to evaluate the fitness of the competing fighters including MRI of Skull and Magnetic Resonance Angiography. Every fighter who made to the final fight card had cleared the weigh-ins which was followed by the face-offs.

The fight night marks some of the much awaited moments for MMA in Brazil as the event marks for the first time two Brazilian fighters are featured in the championship bout in Brave Combat Federation when Lucas Martins clashes with Luan Santiago for the interim Lightweight championship. Klidson Farias de Abreau will become the first champion from Brazil to defend his championship as he takes on Matt Baker from Canada in the Light Heavyweight division. The fight card also features 9 time IBJJF World Champion Bruno Malfacine and Veteran MMA fighter Gesias Cavalcante. Two Middle Eastern superstars Georges Bardawil and Ahmed Amir are also featured to fight in Brazil for the first time. Brave 11 will also feature a women's strawweight bout for the first time in the promotion's history in Brazil.

The fight night will take place at Terrace, Mineirao Stadium at Belo Horizonte, Brazil from 8 PM UTC-3, 13th April. 

Brave 11 full fight card:

Luan Santiago vs. Lucas Martins (Interim Lightweight Championship) 

Klidson de Abreu (C) vs. Matt Baker (Light Heavyweight Championship)

Erivan Pereira vs. Gesias Cavalcante (Lightweight) 

Bruno Malfacine vs. Rafael Pereira (Flyweight)

Cleiton Silva vs. Ahmed Amir (Lightweight)

Carlos Souza vs. Georges Bardawil (Bantamweight) 

Douglas Carvalho vs. Bruno Assis (Middleweight)

Marcel Adur vs. Fernando Lourenço (Flyweight)

Marcos Conrado Jr. vs. Joaquim Ferreira (Light Heavyweight)

Alessandro Gambulino vs. Rodrigo Cavalheiro (Welterweight)

Elaine Leal vs. Luana Pinheiro (Women's Strawweight)

Arnold Quero vs. Caio Gregório (Featherweight)

ONE Championship to replace cage with five-rope ring starting April 20 at 'ONE: Heroes of Honor'

If it can be said of the ultimate proving grounds of combat sports, there is nothing more closely associated with a roped platform famously referred to as “The Squared Circle.”

Many martial artists invested blood, sweat and tears within the four corners of the ring just to have their hand raised and become legends in their respective fields.

ONE Championship will be paying homage to the athletes who elevated combat sports to where it is today by having all bouts in its 13th venture on Philippine shores inside the promotion’s brand new five-rope ring.

Aside from the marquee talents that will be featured at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR in Manila, Philippines on April 20, ONE Championship will likewise introduce its new battlefield.

All 11 bouts at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR are expected to be held inside the new ring, including bouts that are officiated under the organization’s Global Rule Set.

For the first time in ONE Championship’s seven-year history, mixed martial arts contests will be held in the ring instead of in the cage.

Former world title contender Kevin Belingon, who is slated to face Andrew Leone in the main event of ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, welcomes the promotion’s transition from cage to ring for its live event in Manila with open arms because during the early part of his career, he started out competing inside the ring.

“I was surprised when I found out that my next bout would take place inside the ring. It brings a lot of memories because my first few fights were held inside the ring. I have no problem of competing inside the ring again. I am always ready,” Belingon stated.

According to Belingon, he has bigger chance to brandish a stand-up battle in his upcoming bout with Leone under such condition.

“Fighting inside the ring or cage is the same for me. But for sure, I will use my experience inside the ring this coming April 20th. I will make sure that the action stays at the center of the ring. If it stays there, it will be easier for me to dictate the pace of the bout,” the 30-year-old Baguio City resident explained.

Meanwhile, Belingon’s teammate Honorio Banario shared that some grappling techniques will be limited inside the ring.

“There are some things that you can’t do inside the ring, especially in the grappling aspect of the fight. The angles inside the ring are hugely different as you're fighting within a square because the ropes bend more and the corners are harder to elude. It’s challenging, but I like a challenge,” the ex-ONE Featherweight World Champion pointed out.

Banario, who is booked to square off with Australia’s Adrian Pang at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, bared that he made a few adjustments upon learning that his next assignment will be held inside the ring.

“The ring offers a whole slew of different variables that a cage concept cannot offer. We made slight adjustments because since 2012, my bouts were held inside the cage. But it’s fine with me. The ring will allow me to strike more,” Banario said.

Also making its debut at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR is the highly-anticipated ONE Super Series, a new iteration in ONE Championship’s efforts to bring martial arts to the forefront in mainstream culture.

The premiere offering for Manila’s ONE Super Series is a three-round kickboxing encounter, featuring international superstar Giorgio Petrosyan of Italy who takes on “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut of Thailand.

In other ONE Super Series match-ups, celebrated Thai kickboxer Nong-O Gaiyanghadao is scheduled to duke it out with French-Italian dynamo Fabio Pinca in a three-round Muay Thai tussle.

Elliot Compton shares the ring with Cosmo Alexandre in a Muay Thai clash, while Brad Riddell locks horns with Regian Eersel in a kickboxing bout.

ONE Super Series competitors will either use ten-ounce or eight-ounce boxing gloves depending on the weight of the athletes.

Unlike its mixed martial arts counterpart, Muay Thai and kickboxing matches in ONE Super Series will be scored in a ten-point must system and will be contested in three three-minute rounds.

ONE: HEROES OF HONOR takes place at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines on April 20.

​For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship. ​

ONE World Championship belt is martial arts' most valuable prize

Every martial arts athlete aspires to become world champion, not just to be recognised as the best in class, but to receive the perks and trinkets that come along with holding a prestigious title. Among the most coveted is, of course, the prestigious championship belt. In martial arts, there is no prize more valuable than the ONE Championship title.

The ONE Championship belt is a symbolic ornament of honor and glory. Weighing more than seven kilograms, the jewel-encrusted silver and gold-plated belt is mounted by hand on a thick natural leather strap that is locked together securely with 10 steel studs.

The pair of warring lions that frame the centerpiece ONE Championship logo represents royalty and prestige, and it is complimented by a crown motif at the belt’s apex. Two blood-red rubies are placed in the eyes of the lions, while two secondary plates added eminent value to the handmade masterpiece as it is studded with 52 crystals on each side.

Needless to say, it is beautiful prize, and one that is the perfectly suited for its holder.

Yet beyond the intricately crafted piece of hardware itself lies a much deeper significance. Holding the belt in possession means the champion is the best in the world in his field and this effectively makes the belt worth more than its components.

In 2018, ONE Championship has announced the establishment of the ONE Super Series, at the same time launching Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series.

With the ONE Warrior Series, ONE has placed the emphasis on discovering fresh young talent – martial artists who have the potential to become the next global superstars.

With the ONE Super Series, the promotion aims to showcase the beauty of Asia’s striking arts such as Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, Kung Fu, wushu, sanda, silat, lethwei, and more.

Along with matches officiated under ONE’s unique Global Rule Set, the promotion now tackles all spectrums of the competition landscape. Because ONE now encompasses all martial arts, this effectively makes the ONE Championship belt the most valuable prize in all of martial arts.

With world-class athletes representing not just Asia, but also the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, ONE has widened its global footprint to 1.7 billion viewers on any given night in over 136 countries around the world. The belt, which has often been referred to as the richest prize in combat sports, becomes representative of the true value of martial arts.

ONE currently has world champions in 10 divisions, represented by eight elite global athletes. When ONE Warrior Series and ONE Super Series champions are inaugurated, ONE will then have the largest collection of world champions in martial arts history for a single promotion.

As the talent continues to rise and flourish in Asia, the competitive landscape gets tighter. As it stands, ONE already boasts of the most talent-rich roster in all of martial arts. And with its continued development of local homegrown martial arts superheroes, ONE has become a promotion that only organizes bouts between top competitors.

​For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship. ​

Nong-O Gaiyanghadao sees ONE Super Series as opportunity to continue legendary career

Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Sagetdao Petpayathai

Revered by many for the incredible speed, power and precision behind all his strikes, celebrated Thai kickboxer Nong-O Gaiyanghadao will venture into new territory to reignite his illustrious career.

Once considered as one of the best pound-for-pound competitors in the world of Muay Thai, Gaiyanghadao will make his debut under the ONE Championship banner on 20 April as part of the much-awaited ONE Super Series.

ONE Super Series is a celebration of the world’s most effective striking arts and invites the very best martial artists from Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, wushu, sanda, and more to showcase their skills on the ONE Championship stage.

Gaiyanghadao is scheduled to duke it out with French-Italian dynamo Fabio Pinca on the undercard of ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, which takes place at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

The 31-year-old native of Sakon Nakhon, Thailand believes that by joining the promotion’s ONE Super Series, it opens a new chapter in his professional kickboxing stint.

“It’s a new beginning for me. You can say that it’s a breath of fresh air for my career as an athlete. I am excited to be in this new journey. I hope everything will turn our great for me as part of the growing ONE Championship roster,” he said.

Gaiyanghadao was last seen in action when he yielded to Chamuaktong Sor Yupinda by decision at Bangkok’s famous Rajadamnern Stadium in April 2015.

Despite sitting on the sidelines for three years, Gaiyanghadao stressed that his best days as a professional kickboxer are not yet over.

“I’m just 31 years old. I still have the drive to compete. What I have here is a good opportunity to start fresh and remind everyone what I am capable of,” he stated.

Gaiyanghadao, who represents Singapore’s Evolve MMA, has reached the apex of Muay Thai, becoming a five-division world champion in the sport.

In his trophy room, Gaiyanghadao has a long list of accolades, including the coveted Lumpinee Muay Thai world championship, the prestigious Rajadamnern Muay Thai title, and the “Fighter of the Year” citation.

“It has been three years since the last time that I fought. I am looking forward to put on a great performance. I have been training hard and going through strategies. I hope to give my 110 percent in Manila. I am coming to win,” Gaiyanghadao guaranteed.

The man standing in Gaiyanghadao’s re-entry to the winner’s column is Pinca, a highly-decorated kickboxer known for his technical and precise offensive style.

Hailing from Saint-Fons, France, Pinca has become one of Europe’s most well-respected Muay Thai practitioners as he is a two-time WBC World Muay Thai champion and even owns a Rajadamnern Stadium world title.

The 33-year-old Frenchman is bringing his talents to ONE Championship, where he will look to defeat a living legend in Gaiyanghadao.

“To tell you honestly, I am in a very tough fight. It’s nerve-wracking in a sense, but I am ready to accept the challenge,” Gaiyanghadao said about the marquee match-up against Pinca.

Although he already had career-defining moments in 310 professional bouts, Gaiyanghadao treats his maiden ONE Championship appearance as the most significant one because it could catapult him back to the kickboxing limelight.

“I am looking for a statement win this time around. This bout could bring me back to the top. I want a big win. Knocking him out will be an accomplishment because he is a good fighter and a tough opponent. You will all see,” he ended.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship. ​

'Brave 12' fight card: Jarrah Al-Selawe vs Tahar Hadbi in Indonesia

Jarrah Al Selawe (4th from the left) and team

Representing The Kingdom Fighters from Jordan, Jarrah “The Jordanian Lion” Al-Selawe recently cleared rumors and confirmed that he has signed the contract to face Algeria's Tahar Hadbi in Jakarta, Indonesia at “Brave 12” on May 11, 2018. Bahrain-based mixed martial arts promotion Brave Combat Federation had announced that it would host its first event in Jakarta, Indonesia.

While Al-Selawe did not give further details regarding the fight, he did not the possibility of an interim championship of the promotion to be introduced in Indonesia. Previously, he faced Hadbi’s ObyFight teammate David Bear at “Brave 10: The Kingdom Rises,” which was hosted in Amman, Jordan.

Initially, Carlston Harris was scheduled to defend the welterweight championship against Al-Selawe in Amman, Jordan. Harris was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an injury which brought in Bear as a replacement.

The bout was noted for the all-round action showcasing solid striking game from both fighters alongside their impressive ground game. It ended with four seconds to spare when Bear was submitted in a triangle choke by Al-Selawe with Hadbi at the corner of his ObyFight teammate witnessing the Kingdom Fighters member securing a win.

Al-Selawe has the most number of wins in the welterweight division of Brave CF with 4 wins. Before Bear, Al Selawe defeated Erik Carlsson, Daniele Scatizzi and Carl Booth.

Currently, Al-Selawe is undefeated for six fights in a row and has been a vital presence at the welterweight division of the promotion representing The Kingdom Fighters. Watch the bout between him and Bear at “Brave 10: The Kingdom Rises” here:

ONE Championship partners with Japanese internet TV station AbemaTV

09 April 2018 – Tokyo, Japan: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced that it has partnered with Japanese internet TV station AbemaTV. With the partnership, ONE Championship live events and digital content will be broadcast to AbemaTV subscribers.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “I am pleased to announce ONE Championship’s partnership with AbemaTV. As sports media distribution experiences a digital shift, more and more viewers are opting for live digital content over traditional television mediums. Our mission is to unleash superheroes across Asia to ignite passion, hope, strength and dreams across all segments of society, and offering our unique Hi-Definition content for digital consumption is an integral part of that mission. We hope to provide AbemaTV subscribers compelling and engaging high quality content on their mobiles and computers. We are thrilled to partner with the largest internet TV station in Japan.”

Yuji Kitano, Executive Producer of AbemaTV, stated: "AbemaTV is proud to partner with ONE Championship, the worldwide leader of martial arts. Martial arts is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture. We have a very rich background and history of martial arts, and our people embody the true values of martial arts in their everyday lives. We are excited to showcase ONE Championship's world-class content on our live sports channel. And in the second season of Surrogacy Battles, we will be searching for the next ONE Championship superstar in Japan."

The partnership will cover more than 20 live ONE Championship events in 2018, as well as offer a reality TV series called “Surrogacy Battles”, which aims to discover fresh young Japanese martial arts talent. The program will run 12 1-hour episodes featuring young martial arts prospects no older than 22 years of age. The winner of the show will receive JPY 3 million and a ONE Championship multi-bout contract amounting to over USD $100,000.

ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organization, hosts bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, Mixed Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling, and more. It is home to some of the biggest names in martial arts, including Japanese superstars Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki, Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito, Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi, and Koji “The Commander” Ando, among others.

Established by Cyber Agent in conjunction with TV Asahi, AbemaTV was created to provide millions of Japanese consumers with a content streaming service that offers scheduled and live programming for a wide range of smart devices which include Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, as well as PC and Mac machines. Content streams in Hi-Definition and links with Twitter to provide viewers an interactive platform. As of 2018, AbemaTV has become the largest internet television provider in Asia with over 28 million app downloads.

AbemaTV offers a linear programming schedule, as well as Video-on-Demand (VoD) featuring a large variety of shows including news, drama, anime, family-friendly programs, music, radio, live sports, and martial arts.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

'UFC 223' results: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Al Iaquinta, Rose Namajunas vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Al Iaquinta, Rose Namajunas, Joanna Jedrzejczyk

• Promotion: Ultimate Fighting Championsip (UFC)
• Title: UFC 223
• Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
• Date: April 7, 2018

PRELIMINARY CARD

1. Devin Clark vs Mike Rodriguez

·         DIVISION: Light Heavyweight

·         WINNER: DEVIN CLARK 

·         METHOD: Unanimous Decision

·         ROUNDS: 3

·         REFEREE: Dan Miragliotta

2. Bec Rawlings vs Ashlee Evans-Smith

·         DIVISION: Women’s Flyweight

·         WINNER: ASHLEE EVANS-SMITH

·         METHOD: Unanimous Decision

·         ROUNDS: 3

·         REFEREE: Rob Hinds

3. Evan Dunham vs Olivier Aubin-Mercier

·         DIVISION: Lightweight

·         WINNER: OLIVIER AUBIN-MERCIER

·         METHOD: Technical Knockout via Knee and Punches

·         TIME AND ROUND: 0:53 of Round 1

·         REFEREE: Todd Anderson

4. Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Felice Herrig

·         DIVISION: Women’s Strawweight

·         WINNER: KAROLINA KOWALKIEWICZ

·         METHOD: Split Decision

·         ROUNDS: 3

·         REFEREE: Keith Peterson

MAIN CARD

5. Joe Lauzon vs Chris Gruetzemacher

·         DIVISION: Lightweight

·         WINNER: CHRIS GRUETZEMACHER

·         METHOD: Technical Knockout via Corner Stoppage

·         TIME AND ROUND: 5:00 of Round 2

·         REFEREE: Dan Miragliotta

6. Zabit Magomedsharipov vs Kyle Bochniak

·         DIVISION: Featherweight

·         WINNER: ZABIT MAGOMEDSHARIPOV 

·         METHOD: Unanimous Decision

·         ROUNDS: 3

·         REFEREE: Rob Hinds

7. Renato “Moicano” Carneiro vs Calvin Kattar

·         DIVISION: Featherweight

·         WINNER: RENATO CARNEIRO

·         METHOD: Unanimous Decision

·         ROUNDS: 3

·         REFEREE: Todd Anderson

CO-MAIN EVENT

8. Rose Namajunas (United States) vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk (Poland)

·         DIVISION: UFC Women’s Strawwweight Championship

·         WINNER: ROSE NAMAJUNAS

·         METHOD: Unanimous Decision

·         ROUNDS: 5

·         REFEREE: Keith Peterson

MAIN EVENT

9. Khabib Nurmagomedov (Russia) vs Al Iaquinta (United States)

·         DIVISION: UFC Lightweight Championship

·         WINNER: KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV

·         METHOD: Unanimous Decision

·         ROUNDS: 5

·         REFEREE: Dan Miragliotta