AZAMAT Murzakanov of Russia late last night won the KHK World Championship title defeating Mohammad Fakhreddine of Lebanon in the final of Brave 29 at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.
Murzakanov was awarded a 6.2kg gold belt and a cheque for $100,000 for overpowering Fakhreddine in the open weight category in three minutes and 47 seconds.
Earlier, Bahrain’s Hamza Kooheji won the bantamweight title defeating Nahuel Gandolfi of Argentina by technical knockout.
An emotional Kooheji thanked His Majesty the King’s Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Bahrain Olympic Committee president and Brave Combat Federation founder Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for their contribution to mixed martial arts in the country.
“They changed the life of all mixed martial artists in Bahrain,” said Kooheji.
Kooheji also praised his team members for their support, describing them as “the best team in the world.”
Bahrain’s Hussain Ayyad, who was coming off a three-fight win streak, was knocked out by Matis Zaharovs of Lativia.
Zaharovs knocked out the Bahraini in one minute and 18 seconds in the first round. Ayyad, who was injured, had to be stretchered out of the cage.
Meanwhile, Brave created history last night by staging the first ever women’s championship.
Brazil’s Luana Pinheiro knocked out England’s Helen Harper in the first round to beome the first women’s champion in a Brave event.