ROAD TO BRAVE returns to Greece at MCP 16 with a global MMA contract on the line ROAD TO BRAVE returns to Greece with the possibility of a career change at MCP 16
BRAVE Combat Federation’s global talent search will return to Greece this spring as the promotion once again partners with MMA Challenge Pro to deliver another edition of high-stakes competition THE ROAD TO COURAGE number.
The international scouting show will be held on Saturday, April 18at the iconic Vergina Theater in Thessaloniki, Greece. The event will take place simultaneously MCP 16: Night of the Warriorsbringing together emerging fighters who want to prove they belong on the global MMA scene.
The ROAD TO BRAVE initiative serves as a platform to start your careergiving emerging athletes a chance to earn approx multi-fight contract with BRAVE CFone of the most international MMA organizations in the world.
Gateway to the global stage
The event will feature an array of fight cards filled with promising prospects from across the region who will compete under the watchful eye of BRAVE CF scouts and executives. Warriors will fight not only for victory, but also for a life-changing opportunity to join the BRAVE CF squad.
Mohammed Shahid, president of the BRAVE Combat Federation, emphasized the importance of returning to Greece.
“Greece has always demonstrated an incredible depth of martial arts culture and competitive spirit,” Shahid said. “Bringing ROAD TO BRAVE back here allows us to once again evaluate a recent wave of athletes who possess the skill, discipline and appetite required at the highest level. We are excited to continue discovering talent in this passionate fighting community.”
Strengthening the BRAVE–MCP Partnership
The event also highlights the growing partnership between BRAVE CF and MMA Challenge Pro, which has become an essential avenue for athletes looking to break into the international arena.
Noredin Mokasampi, CEO of MMA Challenge Pro, emphasized the value of the partnership.
“The collaboration with BRAVE CF elevates everything we want to achieve for our players,” said Mokasampi. “This partnership ensures that deserving athletes will not only be tested locally, but will also be given a clear path to international exposure. This is an opportunity that can change careers overnight.”
From prospect to global competitor
ROAD TO BRAVE’s return follows success MPK warriora reality-based competition platform focused on discovering and developing emerging MMA talent through structured competition and performance evaluation.
Thanks to this system, outstanding fighters can go from local prospects to global competitors under the BRAVE CF banner.
Rapid global expansion of BRAVE CF
Founded in 2016 under the vision of Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, BRAVE Combat Federation has grown into one of the most internationally busy MMA organizations.
In less than a decade, the Bahrain-based organization:
Hosted Over 100 events
There were performances 38 countries on five continents
Featured over 900 fighters from 90 countries
This global scouting model has helped athletes from emerging markets enter competition at an elite level, strengthening BRAVE CF’s reputation as one of the most vigorous platforms in sports for international talent.
With ROAD TO BRAVE returning to Thessaloniki, another group of riders will now have the chance to step into the spotlight and potentially launch their careers on the world stage.
If Sean Strickland can pull off a massive upset, Ian Machado Garry doesn’t see why he can’t.
Strickland (31-7 MMA, 18-7 UFC) came up huge as an underdog against Khamzat Chimaev (15-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) to claim the middleweight title by split decision at UFC 328. Another undefeated fighter in Ilia Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) also recently suffered his first-career loss when he was dethroned by Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.
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Now, Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) looks to follow suit when he faces dominant welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) in the UFC 330 headliner on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia (Paramount+).
“If people think whenSean Stricklandgoes out and beatsKhamzat Chimaevand upsets the apple cart, and no one expected, no one can sit here and think that it’s impossible that I can beat Islam Makhachev,” Machado Garry told Paul Browne.
“If anything, I’m a far more perilous threat. I’m far more complete and I have way, way, way more ways of winning that fight. I am the most perilous opponent for Islam Makhachev, and it’s my job to go out and prove that on Aug. 15.”
Machado Garry is a huge underdog against Makhachev, who will look to break the UFC record for most consecutive victories. The Irishman explains why he thinks he’s the worst possible matchup for Makhachev.
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“My mindset, my vision, and my fight IQ,” Machado Garry said. “Three things that can’t be taught. You either have them or you don’t.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Ian Machado Garry points to Strickland when saying he’ll upset Makhachev
Diego Lopes might be seeking new challenges at 155 pounds given his failed bids to become the UFC featherweight titleholder.
Lopes is one of the top 145-pound competitors in MMA, but he appears to have hit a brick wall. He has fought Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight gold twice and was unsuccessful in both attempts. Lopes has gone 7-2 in his last nine outings, and it's clear that he has emerged as the No. 2 featherweight in the world, but perhaps a change of scenery is due.
In an interview with Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting, Lopes admitted that his time at 145 pounds may have reached its peak.
“It's a little difficult,†Lopes said. “As long as Volkanovski doesn't retire, it's going to be hard to get another title shot. I'd have to be rooting for him to lose, but I'd rather see him retire as champion, because he was such a great champion for the division. Seeing him walk away with the belt would be something really special. Then he'd leave the door open for the guys coming up, and I see myself as part of that group too.â€
While Lopes won't promise that his next fight will be in the lightweight division, he is hoping to face a top contender in the division at some point.
“But I'm definitely in a bit of a tough spot,†he continued. “I have this desire to move up to 155 and take on an exciting fight. I think there are some great matchups for me in the top five or top six, fights that fit my style really well. So I honestly don't know what's going to happen in my division. I had a conversation with the UFC this past weekend and we actually talked more about the lightweight division than the featherweight division. I think the possibilities for a fight at 155 are opening up even more. We'll see what happens and what the UFC's plans are as well.â€
Lopes actually served as a backup option in case he was needed for the UFC Freedom 250 main event. Ultimately, Lopes scored a second-round knockout win over Steve Garcia, while Justin Gaethje shocked the world by stopping Ilia Topuria to unify the UFC Lightweight Championship.
How do you think Diego Lopes would fare in the lightweight division? Share your take in the comments below.
Gillian Robertson is feeling underestimated going into the biggest fight of her career at UFC 330.
Robertson is scheduled to challenge for the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship on July 11. Mackenzie Dern is the reigning titleholder having captured the gold by defeating Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 back in Oct. 2025. “The Savage†earned her opportunity against Dern by amassing a five-fight winning streak with victories over the likes of Amanda Lemos and Marina Rodriguez.
The 115-pound title challenger spoke to MMAJunkie ahead of fight night, and she thinks that Dern hasn't been paying attention to her rise in the strawweight division. Robertson believes that being overlooked could play in her favor during the upcoming title fight.
“It seems like she's never really watched me before, honestly,†Robertson said. “I'm like, ‘You know we're fighting in like six weeks?' Just the way she was talking, it's like she doesn't even know my skills, my ability. It seemed like she didn't know a lot about me, which I guess is all for my benefit.
“I think she might be underestimating me a little bit. Obviously, the ground has always been her world, so she expects it to be that way. There's no better way to end that (than a submission), but I'm happy with the TKO, too.â€
Robertson hasn't been defeated since June 2023. From that point on, she's racked up wins over Polyana Viana, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, Luana Pinheiro, Rodriguez, and Lemos. Dern's three-fight winning streak includes victories over Loopy Godinez, Amanda Ribas, and Jandiroba.
Dern vs. Robertson will be a part of the same card headlined by the highly anticipated return of Conor McGregor. The “Notorious†one will be facing Max Holloway inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. BJPenn.com will continue to provide updates on UFC 330 leading up to the event.
Who do you think will walk out of UFC 330 with the women's strawweight gold? Will Mackenzie Dern retain, or are we looking at a new 115-pound titleholder on July 11? Drop your prediction in the comments below.
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