BRAVE Combat Federation has been recognized by FightBook MMA as the number one global promotion in mixed martial arts following a historic 2023. Over the past year, the organization broke the world record for being based in the most countries and extended it; Now, BRAVE CF has hosted shows in 30 different countries.
The company also negotiated massive streaming deals that grew its audience by nearly a billion potential households, while also hosting the first international editions of BRAVE International Combat Week.
BICW, the largest combat sports festival on the planet, took place outside of Bahrain for the first time last February, when Serbia hosted an incredible week with the IMMAF World Championship and a sold-out BRAVE CF 69, with 20,000 fans who flocked to the Rigid Arena. In the main event of the night, Abdisalam Kubanychbek unified the world lightweight title in a great performance against a very tough Kamil Magomedov.
The BICW then had its first edition in South America, once again in association with IMMAF, which hosted its Pan American Championships – BRAVE CF 73 again headlined the BICW Pan American with a world title at stake – the vacant bantamweight championship was won by José Torres in a blockbuster fight against Nkosi Ndebele (who would later claim the title in the rematch).
On two occasions, BRAVE CF broke the world record for host countries by a mixed martial arts organization: first, by reaching 29 nations with BRAVE CF 74, in France; and then expand it to 30 nations, with Spain in BRAVE CF 75.
Another milestone in 2023 was the 800th athlete to fight for BRAVE CF, and the organization has now provided global opportunities to 821 wrestlers from 88 different countries, highlighting its international reach.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. He is passionate about combat sports and is also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He is also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.