Hardeep Rai chooses to train at KHK MMA Gym in Bahrain for the fight camp in preparation for his bout against ex-Bellator fighter and US Navy veteran Alex Trinidad at Brave 9 on November 17 at Khalifa Sports City.
Hardeep is the first British Asian to represent the UK in mixed martial arts (MMA) and also the first fighter of Indian origin to win a medal at IMMAF. Hardeep won bronze medals in the 2015 European Championships and 2016 World Championship.
Hardeep made his pro-debut at the fifth edition of Brave in Mumbai. He defeated Arnan Chaiyasan from Thailand in the first round by way of an armbar submission.
Residing in London, the lightweight fighter had previously trained at the Carlson Gracie & NFM. Later, he moved to train at the Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The London-born fighter captured two amateur lightweight championships in 2016 prior to his entry into Brave Combat Federation.
His opponent, Trinidad, fights in the lightweight division and has a record of 2-1-0 in his professional MMA career.
Training in The Arena gym alongside legends Charles Martinez and Chris Leben, Trinidad is one of the latest prospects added to the roaster of Brave Combat Federation.
Trinidad has experience serving in the US Navy and had previously been stationed in Bahrain.