HASSAN Fakhreddine from Lebanon, making his mixed martial arts debut, became the first athlete from the Middle East to win a bout in Mexico when he beat Rodrigo Reyes in the second round during Bahrain-based Brave Combat Federation’s Brave 7: Untamed on Saturday at Casino Caliente in Tijuana.
The mega event featured 10 bouts involving athletes from five nations - the US, Mexico, Lebanon, the Philippines and Costa Rica.
In the main event, Alejandro Martinez continued his winning streak as he forced his opponent Fabian Quintanar to submit (rear-naked choke) in the second round. It marked his second victory following his defeat of Brazil’s Paulo Silva in the ‘Brave in India’ edition.
“Brave is proud to reach out to athletes around the world through progressive steps. We are glad that this initiative has made remarkable achievements by getting telecast to 84 nations for an estimated 800 million audience, thereby bringing global attention towards Bahrain,” said Brave president Mohammed Shahid.
Brave’s next event will be on August 12 in Brazil with two championship titles on the line.
Timo Feucht of Germany faces Klidson Abreu of Brazil for the light heavyweight title while Fakhreddine takes on Carl Booth from the UK for the welterweight crown.
Results: Alejandro Martinez def. Fabian Quintanar via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:14; Chris Padilla bt Ivan Castillo via split decision (30-27, 28-29 30-28); Antonio Duarte bt Hector Valenzuela via Unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27); Pablo Sabori bt Andrew Lagdaan via TKO (Punches) – Round 3, 3:03; Hassan Fakhreddine bt Rodrigo Reyes via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) – Round 2, 4:58; Marcos Beristain bt Ernesto Galán via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28); Victor Tirado bt Ben Pineda via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:09; Eduardo Alvarado bt Daniel Rincón via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27); Saul Cabrera bt José Salazar via submission (Armbar) – Round 1, 0:51; Kevin Amador bt Irving Hernandez via submission (Armbar) – Round 2, 3:32.