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.
Real American Freestyle has signed a five-year partnership with the
Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling
Federation, with the agreement beginning Nov. 14 at Etihad
Arena.
Khamzat
Chimaev will headline RAF's debut event in the Middle East,
with his opponent to be announced in the coming weeks. Arman
Tsarukyan, Henry
Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev
are also set to compete, with their matchups still to be
revealed.
Real American Freestyle signs five-year partnership with Abu
Dhabi
Chimaev has become one of RAF's crossover attractions since joining
the promotion. The former
Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight titleholder made
his RAF debut against Dillon
Danis before facing Tyron
Woodley in Moscow and Gilbert
Burns at RAF 13.
The Abu Dhabi event marks RAF's third international show in its
first year, following events in Tbilisi and Moscow. The new
partnership will establish Abu Dhabi as a recurring stop on the
promotion's international calendar.
“From day one, our ambition has been to bring RAF to the world's
great sports markets, and there is no better place for this next
chapter than Abu Dhabi,†RAF CEO and co-founder Chad Bronstein
said. “Abu Dhabi is one of the premier destinations for combat
sports, with the vision and infrastructure to deliver events that
resonate globally. This five-year partnership gives us the
opportunity to make RAF Abu Dhabi a signature event and build
something meaningful for athletes, fans and the region for years to
come.â€
The Nov. 14 card will feature a mixture of Olympic champions, world
champions, NCAA standouts, and crossover athletes from wrestling
and mixed martial arts, with additional matchups and event details
to be announced soon.
RAF IS COMING TO ABU DHABI. 🇦🇪@KChimaev
headlines our UAE debut on November 14 at Etihad Arena.
More of the biggest names in wrestling and combat sports to be
announced.
Khamzat's opponent coming soon.
RAF ABU DHABI. NOV 14.
Register your interest at link in bio. pic.twitter.com/lDN1rX0zbg
— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA)
September 21, 2026
Shavkat
Rakhmonov's recovery and rehabilitation from multiple leg
injuries is seemingly moving in the right direction.
The undefeated welterweight recently shared footage on his
Instagram stories, in which he's seen doing some light wrestling
work. Rakhmonov hasn't competed since December 2024, with multiple
injury setbacks preventing a return to competition. However, the
recent video he and his coach shared online could be a sign of good
things to come.
Shavkat Rakhmonov continues recovery after calling for Islam
Makhachev matchup
Rakhmonov (19-0) was working on his clinch work in the video shared
on Instagram. He appears to be in good spirits and, notably, didn't
have a protective boot on his leg as he did in a recent
interview.
While speaking to AFL Global in an interview posted on Sept. 6, the
Kazakh was wearing a full protective boot. He's now boot-free and
gunning for an Octagon return, evidenced by his comments in said
interview, wherein he said he matches up well with current
welterweight champ Islam
Makhachev.
Rakhmonov expressed frustration after Makhachev did not mention him
among the leading 170-pound contenders, prompting the latter to
respond that he would consider the matchup once “Nomad†has
recovered and returned to action in the UFC.
“Well, Rakhmonov gave an interview recently with a huge brace on
his knee and he says he wants to fight,†Makhachev said during a
media scrum. “Choose him and wait for 1.5 years? Let him recover
and he will become one of the contenders.â€
😅🇰🇿 Islam
Makhachev responds to Shavkat
Rakhmonov who wasn’t happy with him not being mentioned as the
next contender:
“He gave an interview with a huge brace on his knee. He wants me to
choose him and then wait for 1.5 years for him to recover?”
🎥 MATCH TV pic.twitter.com/u5ayP5D7zz
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight)
September 9, 2026
Michael
Morales and Ian Garry
appear to have reached an agreement.
Garry came up short in his maiden title bid in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC
330, losing to Islam
Makhachev via decision. The Irishman is now looking to re-enter
the title mix by beating unbeaten welterweight Morales, who's open
to the matchup.
Michael Morales accepts Ian Garry's Nov. 28 proposal for a UFC
fight in Saudi Arabia
Morales has shared a screenshot of his DMs with Garry wherein they
agree to fight in November. The latter initially questioned the
former's availability claims, speculating that he's avoiding the
matchup.
“I wanna fight before the end of the year and I'm being told you're
not available,†Garry wrote. “You were able to be the back up for
the world title fight but not able to take a fight with me now?
You've also asked to be a back up for the next title fight, but
still not available to fight with me? Looks like someone is
avoiding me. Talk all that sh*t online then don't agree to fight?
What's going on here?â€
Morales responded by making his position clear:
“My son, what are you talking about? I fight whenever you want I
just want a contract and that's it I'll kick your *ss.â€
Garry responded:
“Saudi, Nov. 28. Let's do it.â€
Morales accepted, but it remains to be seen whether the UFC will
put the matchup together. Carlos
Prates is widely considered the next challenger to Makhachev's
title, making Garry vs. Morales a pivotal title eliminator.
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