BRAVE Combat Federation, the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion founded by Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, first deputy president of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Bahrain Olympic Committee president, Royal Guard Special Unit Commander, founder of KHK MMA and captain of Al Khalidya Stables, is the main subject of a newly-released BBC documentary portraying the trajectory of the former lightweight world champion Abdul Kareem Al Selwady.
“The Pride of Palestine: In the face of the most important battle of his life” highlights the first title defence of the then-champion Selwady, including the eight-week preparation leading to the fight at Brave CF 23 last year.
Recorded in Dallas and Amman, where the film crew had exclusive access to Brave CF’s backstage during the fight week, the documentary shows the tension between the individual demand of a high-calibre professional athlete and the responsibility of representing your people and heritage.
Filled with emotions and contrast between the fighter’s struggles during the training camp overseas and the stardom he enjoys when back home, the documentary is the epitome of what Brave CF stands for, according to Brave CF president Mohammed Shahid.
“Brave CF was founded on the pillars of offering athletes worldwide an international platform, in which they can show their value inside and outside the cage and send their own message,” Shahid said.
“In this sense, I believe this documentary is accurate in translating the kind of opportunities that are given through Brave CF, by the vision of Shaikh Khalid, also “that the fight starts long before the fighters enter the stage and it is not over after the referee stops the contest”.
Broadcaster
The biggest broadcaster worldwide by number of employees, the BBC is present around the globe since 1932 with the BBC World Service, which provides content in 32 languages, including the BBC Arabic, through which the Brave CF’s “Pride of Palestine” documentary was released.
After starting 2020 with its debut in Slovenia, Brave CF is currently preparing the last details for its upcoming show in Brazil.
The Bahrain-based promotion will be hosting another event - Brave 35 - in the South American country on March 28. The event will be held in the city of Balneário Camboriú and will feature 13 international fights, including the lightweight title bout between Brazil’s Cleiton “Predator” vs Sweden’s Guram Kutateladze headlining the fight card.
Watch the full documentary (in Arabic, with English subtitles available)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI6nVac1K4I