MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 11 Mafra fires back at Eldarov ahead of BRAVE CF 46 Leonardo Mafra addressed the controversial revelation that Eldar Eldarov was behind the viral slogan: “If was easy, it would be called Jiu-jitsu”

Mafra will face Super Lightweight• champion Eldarov in the main event of the evening for BRAVE CF 46

TDT | Manama

razil’s Leonardo Mafra is less than two weeks away Bfrom the biggest fight of his professional career. On Jan- uary 16th, Mafra will challenge the undisputed BRAVE CF Super Lightweight champion Eldar Eldarov in the main event of the evening for BRAVE CF 46, in Sochi, . More than that, I carry that flag was one of the biggest talent Mafra took some time to talk wherever I go. But I know El- pools in the world during the the BRAVE Nation ahead of this dar is a guy who likes to say early 2000s, spread its sphere gigantic fight and spoke his he represents sambo…. Well, if of influence around the globe, mind during a Live Instagram he’s from sambo, I’m a vale-tudo including Master Julio Cesar “I’m a proud Brazilian, Interview. Leonardo made sure guy. Even better than sambo is and Rafael Cordeiro, both im- right? So, of course, I to leave a warning to the champ, Vale-tudo, MMA”, Mafra said. portant coaching figures in his respect and appreciate ensuring that he’s ready to take What Leonardo refers too career to this day. the Brazilian jiu-jitsu. the control of the fight wherever is the fact that the vale-tudo Leonardo Mafra will chal- More than that, I carry it goes. He also addressed the (which roughly translates as lenge Eldar Eldarov for the that flag wherever I go. controversial revelation that “anything goes” from Brazilian BRAVE CF Super Lightweight Eldar was behind the infamous Portuguese) was a no-holds- title at BRAVE CF 46, which is the But I know Eldar is a t-shirt worn by Khabib Nurmag- barred predecessor of Mixed Rusisan debut event for the fast- guy who likes to say he omedov with the saying ‘’if sam- Martial Arts in the Brazilian est-growing MMA promotion in represents sambo…. bo was easy, it would be called scene, especially with some of the world. The card, held in as- Well, if he’s from jiu-jitsu’’, that enraged the Bra- the founding fathers of the sport sociation with the local promot- sambo, I’m a vale-tudo zilian martial arts community coming from Mafra’s home ers of Krepost Selection, will guy. Even better than despite being done in a jokingly country. count with important athletes His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth manner by Eldarov. Leonardo is a member of the from Russia’s Mixed Martial affairs HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa has achieved second place sambo is Vale-tudo, “I’m a proud Brazilian, right? Chute-Boxe lineage. The icon- Arts scene, such as Ali Bagauti- in the 160km race which was held as part of Khalid bin Hamad Cup, held at MMA So, of course, I respect and ap- ic team, which was originally nov, Roman Bogatov, and Kon- Bahrain International Endurance Village. LEONARDO MAFRA preciate the Brazilian jiu-jitsu. founded in Curitiba, Brazil, and stantin Erokhin. Fans choose KHK Heroes and IOC Ali Bagautinov eager to be back Bahrain Photography Competition winner TDT | Manama in action at BRAVE CF 46 TDT | Manama ans have made their choice, he’s eager to get back in the Fthe winning submission to lyweight star Ali Bagauti- mix. the KHK Heroes & IOC Bahrain Fnov will have the first taste So much so that he’s just hap- Photography competition has of BRAVE CF action a week py to be in action again, and has been selected. This comes after from today, when he takes on dismissed Oleg Lichkovakha the top ten entries for the com- Oleg Lichkovakha in a Catch- as an opponent, claiming he petition were put up for online weight bout. It will serve as prefers to let his rival think of public voting. the co-main event of BRAVE him instead of thinking about The KHK Heroes and IOC CF 46, the fastest-growing or- Oleg himself. Bahrain photography compe- ganization’s first-ever trip to ‘’I don’t think much of my tition has served as a creative Russia, which will take place opponent Oleg, let him think of way for Bahrain’s citizens and in association with Krepost me. And I calmly wait and pre- residents to express their ad- Selection. pare for January 16th. I missed miration and love for the nation It is a much-needed return the cage very much, I am hun- on the Kingdom’s National Day. The winning entry to mixed martial arts to one gry and angry, I want to show The competition has reached of Russia’s most well-round- my best fighting qualities’’, says a conclusion after a winning ed fighters. Bagautinov has Ali Bagautinov ‘’Puncher King’’. photo was selected by fans experience in boxing, wres- from a top ten list through an tling, sambo, and , online poll. More than 1000 I must say that every having excelled at world level submissions were received in single submission in many of these sports. Now, the competition overall and a that we received was 946 panel of expert judges selected brilliant. It showed votes were gained by 10 winners before it went for not only the skill of Ranjith Cherupalakkad to public voting. Prominent pho- win the contest tographer Premjith Narayanan, each contestant but owner of Click Media Jaan Al also their love and Balushi, and commercial pho- admiration for the KNOW WHAT tographer Ali AlRiffai, were Kingdom eras to phones to printers. responsible for selecting the MOHAMMAD MANSOOR KHK Heroes Vice-President top entries. Mohammad Mansoor con - KHK HEROES VICE-PRESIDENT Bagautinov has ex- The winner of the competi- gratulated all the winners of perience in boxing, tion and the owner of the pop- the competition. “I must say , sambo, ular vote from the competition ma Kamal Dashty, Mustafa Ab- that every single submission is Ranjith Cherupalakkad who dulhadi, Saidalavi Ambalath that we received was bril - and pankration, received 946 votes. Coming Veetil, Melvin Markose, Ali liant. It showed not only the having excelled at in second and third place are Rashed Almehri, Ahmed Ab- skill of each contestant but world level in many Madhu Karumathil and Fahad dulla Ahmed, and Amit Ma - also their love and admiration of these sports. Now, Asab who received 845 and 580 zumde. All of the winners will for the Kingdom. My hearty he’s eager to get votes respectively. The rest of take home different individual congratulations goes to all the back in the mix the top ten is made up of Fate- prizes, which range from cam- winners.”