MMA UK

Badr Hari signs multi-year contract extension with GLORY, rematches Wrzosek at GLORY 80

Frankie 26/01/2022

GLORY, the world’s premier kickboxing organization, announced that it has signed Heavyweight Kickboxing Legend Badr Hari (106-16, 92 KO) to a multi-year contract extension. The extension locks in a cornerstone of GLORY’s talent-rich heavyweight division in Hari, who will begin 2022 looking to end a three-fight losing streak, each of the losses coming in bouts with Hari up on the judge’s scorecards before abrupt finishes. Hari will get the chance to avenge his most recent loss, as he faces surging prospect Arek Wrzosek (14-5, 9 KO) at GLORY 80 on March 19 Trixxo Arena in Hasselt, Belgium. The first bout between the two fighters occurred last September at GLORY 78. Hari dominated the action early, scoring three knockdowns in the first two rounds. However, while on the brink of defeat, Wrzosek landed a stunning high kick that knocked Hari out midway through the second round. The finish earned Wrzosek the 2021 Knockout of the Year and is widely considered one of the greatest comebacks in combat sports history. “We are proud to have extended Badr Hari and give fans a fight and rematch they have been asking for months”, says GLORY Executive Vice-Chairman Scott Rudmann. “Both Arek Wrzosek and Hari have a lot on the line in this fight and it promises to be a memorable one.” GLORY 80 will mark GLORY’s first return to Belgium since GLORY 39 Brussels in 2017. More details about the full fight card and ticket sales will follow soon. GLORY fans can already sign up to receive ticket sale updates. Exclusively available on pay-per-view, GLORY fans will be able to purchase, stream and watch GLORY 80 on GLORYfights.com.

Cian Cowley extends fight contract with Brave CF

Frankie 23/09/2018

SBG prospect, Cian Cowley extended his fight contract with Brave Combat Federation. The welterweight fighter from Straight Blast Gym Ireland had competed at Brave 13 hosted in Belfast. Cowley faced Daniel Olejniczak from Poland in his promotional debut at the Bahrain based global mixed martial arts organisation. Cowley won his first fight with the promotion by TKO. Brave Combat Federation had confirmed that Cowley will be competing in an upcoming edition of the promotion. Cowley has a 1-1 professional record and was 3-1 as an amateur. The training partner of Conor McGregor has previously been in the corner of multiple SBG Ireland fighters in Brave Combat Federation including former bantamweight title contender, Frans Mlambo. Most recent details reveal that the Irish welterweight will make his appearance at Brave 18 hosted on 16th November in the Kingdom of Bahrain during the Brave International Combat Week 2018. Brave Combat Federation is yet to announce his opponent. Brave International Combat Week 2018 will also feature 2018 IMMAF World Championships in which multiple amateur talents from SBG Ireland will be competing.

JP Buys signs a multi-fight contract with Brave Combat Federation

Frankie 25/06/2018

EFC Bantamweight champion, J P Buys signed a multi-fight contract with Brave Combat Federation. Buys is the latest addition to the roster of the Bahrain based Mixed Martial Arts organisation. The prospect from South Africa is only 22 years old and will join the developing bantamweight division of the promotion. Buys is trained by Richard Quan at the Fight Fit Militia. Buys had won multiple titles for wrestling including the African Wrestling Title, 12th Place at Wrestling World Championship and MMA Fight Stars Bantamweight Championship. He became the champion at EFC after submitting Baldwin Mdlalose in the first round at UFC 54. He went on to successfully defend his championship in South Africa after trying out in the Tuesday Night Contender Series in the USA. The championship was defended against Philippe Rouch from France. Buys has a professional MMA record of five wins and two losses, after having an undefeated amateur career with six straight victories. He is recognised for his wrestling and submission game. An African champion in amateur wrestling, Buys started being active in the sport at age of 15 before transitioning into MMA full-time. In the recent event hosted by Brave Combat Federation in Belfast, Buys accompanied Chad Hanekom from South Africa as the cornerman. Hanekom won the bout in the first round via submission. He also gained performance bonus for his fight. It was then Buys expressed his interest to compete in the Mixed Martial Arts promotion found by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa from the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Kingdom of Bahrain will also be the venue for the second consecutive IMMAF World Championships of Amateur MMA in 2018. Buys with a record of four of his five professional wins coming by way of submission is expected to become a challenge for the reigning bantamweight champion, Stephen Loman in the near future. Brave Combat Federation had featured multiple MMA fighters from South African including Jeremy Smith, Chad Hanekom and Frans Mlambo.