WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021 11

Legendary jiu-jitsu champion Sergio Moraes joins KHK Mokaev takes on Abdul MMA’s stable of coaches Hussein in debut Muhammad Mokaev will face fellow amateur world champion Abdul Hussein at BRAVE CF 49’s featured Flyweight bout

Hussein and Mokaev BETTER had• been trading shots via social media over the last months KNOW

Sergio Moraes (C) with Mohammed Shahid (R), CEO of KHK SPORTS SPC and TDT | Manama Redha Munfaradi, President of the Bahrain Jiu-Jitsu federation Muhammad Mokaev TDT | Manama wo former IMMAF world and Abdul Hussein champions, who hold were forced to leave HK MMA, the number one Ttwo of the best amateur their homeland and Kteam in the world, has Sergio brings a lot records in MMA, are set to meet grow up as refugees made a tremendous addition of experience to an inside the BRAVE Combat Fed- to its coaching stable. Brazilian already world-class eration Arena, this time as pro- perfect professional record of 4 Sergio Moraes, a legendary fig- team of excellent fessional Mixed Martial Artists. wins and no losses, and a com- ure in the jiu-jitsu community, fighters and we are Muhammad Mokaev will take bined record of 26-0, includ- has joined KHK MMA full-time on Abdul Hussein, in a BRAVE ing his amateur bouts. Abdul and will coach the likes of the excited to see what CF 49 featured Flyweight bout. Hussein boasts a pro record of Pride of Bahrain Hamza Koo- improvements he will Hussein and Mokaev share 7 wins and one loss, and a com- heji, Murtaza Talha, and all bring to our athletes more than a fantastic record of bined record of 14-1. the Bahrain National Team REDHA MUNFARADI accomplishments in amateur BRAVE CF 49 will take place athletes. MMA and a label of young stars on March 25, in the Kingdom PRESIDENT OF THE BAHRAIN JIU-JITSU Moraes is a three-time jiu-jit- FEDERATION of the sport. Both men were of Bahrain. The event will be su world champion, and has a forced to leave their homeland Abdul Hussein, on the other Combat Federation. the third of four scheduled fight long and successful career of and how Moraes can positively and grow up as refugees. hand, was born in Iraq but left Hussein and Mokaev had cards for Kombat Kingdom, in a his own in mixed martial arts. impact an already world-class Born in the Caucasus, Mokaev the country with his family to- been trading shots via social series that will culminate in the He’s widely recognized as one stable of fighters with his ex- emigrated to the United King- wards Finland. In Scandinavia, media over the last months, in historical 50th BRAVE CF card. of the best grapplers in the tensive knowledge in mixed dom and, over there, became alongside his brother, ABBA be- messages that included even an In the main event of the evening world and his win over Kron martial arts. one of the most hyped names came one of the most prominent informal agreement between Jose Torres and Sean Santella Gracie in 2008 is considered Additionally, Monfaredi in MMA, drawing the attention names in Finnish MMA, won the both parties for a BRAVE CF bout will meet again in a BRAVE CF as one of the biggest fights in thanked His Highness Shaikh of massive mainstream media amateur world title, and made it to settle their differences. Flyweight World Title Tourna- competitive jiu-jitsu. Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa outlets, such as BBC and CNN. to the big leagues joining BRAVE Muhammad Mokaev holds a ment quarter-final bout. Moraes arrived in Bahrain for his support in bringing in recently and was welcomed one of the top coaches in the by Mohammed Shahid, CEO world of combat sports and of KHK SPORTS SPC & Advi- hailed the impact that Moraes sor to the President of Bah - will have on KHK MMA. Bayern, not Manchester City, are best club in Europe - Guardiola rain Olympic Committee, and “I would like to thank HHSK Reuters | London diola’s team as the continent’s pions League holders Bayern Redha Munfaradi, President for this excellent addition to most dominant force after Munich and reigning English of the Bahrain Jiu-Jitsu fed- the KHK team,” says Monfare- anchester City are on a watching his West Ham side champions Liverpool who were eration, Shura council mem- di. “Sergio brings a lot of ex- M20-game winning streak lose 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium still the continent’s two leading ber, member of the ( BCSC), perience to an already world- in all competitions but manager on Saturday. sides. and executive board mem - class team of excellent fighters Pep Guardiola has dismissed The result allowed City to “The crown, if you want to ber of ICM-UNESCO. The trio and we are excited to see what suggestions that his club are the open up a 12-point gap at the take it, you have to win. In discussed their plans for the improvements he will bring to best in Europe. top of the Premier League but March, nobody is champions,” future of the KHK MMA team our athletes.” David Moyes anointed Guar- Pep Guardiola Guardiola said it was Cham - Guardiola said.

Loman to face UFC veteran Lineker in ONE debut Pogacar signs new five-year TDT | Manila deal with UAE Team Emirates AFP | Dubai tephen “The Sniper” Loman, Sone of the best MMA fighters Fighting in a new our de France champion in the Philippines, will make promotion and a new TTadej Pogacar has com- his much-awaited ONE Cham- environment will be mitted his future to UAE Team pionship debut a challenge but it’s Emirates by signing a new deal against UFC grizzled veteran to 2026, the cycling outfit an- one I’m more than Tadej Pogacar John Lineker of Brazil on April willing to face. I’m nounced on Tuesday. 28. The 22-year-old is one of cy- Pogacar joined UAE in 2019 As per MMAFighting.com, the ready to show ONE cling’s brightest prospects and after training in the continen- Loman-Lineker clash will take Championship fans the the announcement comes days tal team Ljubljana Gusto Santi, place at the Indoor best of Stephen Loman after he claimed the honours at and had already extended his Stadium as part of ONE card and STEPHEN LOMAN the season-opening UAE Tour. contract last year until 2024. will air on TNT in the United States. “The Passion” Pacio leading the Before joining the Singa - charge. pore-based promotion, the Earlier this year, he decided 29-year-old Loman – who to vacate his throne at BRAVE to Loman to start from scratch again at ONE holds a 14-2 record – was the seek a new platform. longest reigning champion in The former UFC fighter Lo- claimed the BRAVE champion- This time Loman would have who man became the No. 1 bantam- ship with a first-round techni- to climb the championship fights in the bantamweight weight contender in ONE after cal knockout win over Cana- ladder from scratch again. He, division. knocking out Team Lakay’s dian-Indian Gurdarshan “St. however, is unfazed about it. “The Sniper” last saw action Kevin Belingon in ONE: Inside Lion” Mangat in 2017. “I’m excited to enhance my in November 2019 in BRAVE the Matrix III at the Singapore He defended the belt suc - skills on this platform and CF 30 and scored a unanimous Indoor Stadium last November. cessfully on multiple occasions, showcase my style to millions decision win against Ilias Sa- Leaving the BRAVE Combat headlining various events while of viewers across the globe. Of noudakis of Canada for his Federation and signing up with emerging as arguably BRAVE’s course, fighting in a new pro- fourth title defense and fifth ONE Championship was a bold biggest star. motion and a new environment consecutive victory in BRAVE. career move for Loman. Team Lakay has established will be a challenge but it’s one Lineker (33-9), for his part, The Baguio-based stable a commanding presence in I’m more than willing to face,” is riding on a two-match win Team Lakay fighter was the ONE Championship, with for- he said. “I’m ready to show ONE streak since his ONE debut last longest-reigning champion of mer World Champions Edu- Championship fans the best of October 2019. His last match BRAVE having held the bantam- ard Folayang, Geje Eustaquio, Stephen Loman.” was a knockout win over former weight belt for three years. Kevin Belingon, Honorio Ba- He represents Team Lakay champion Kevin Belingon in Loman was riding high on nario, and reigning ONE Straw- and has not lost a fight since November 2020. an eight-fight win streak. He weight World Champion Joshua 2016.