Bahrain-based promotion BRAVE Combat Federation was recognized as Global Promotion of the Year following a successful 2020 stint amid the coronavirus pandemic.
FightBook MMA handed BRAVE CF the top plum for the fourth straight year during the 6th FightBook MMA Awards.
Filipino fighter Rolandy Dy, who inked a fresh three-year contract with BRAVE CF recently, lauded the promotion for helping fellow athletes in continuing their careers despite the global situation.
“It’s no surprise to me that BRAVE CF won the award, " said Dy, the son of boxing icon and former world champion Rolando Navarrete.
"In 2020, they’re one of the few promotions in the world that dared to take the first step and brought hope to fighters like me who were exploring different means to survive during the pandemic. That’s truly commendable."
In 2020 alone, BRAVE CF has held 12 live events in different countries such as Slovenia, Romania, Sweden, and home base Bahrain.
Bahrain, dubbed as the "Kombat Kingdom," had staged five of the 12 shows by BRAVE CF.
BRAVE CF was also cited for giving an opportunity to the struggling European MMA scene by hosting six events in six weeks behind closed doors.
The 29-year-old Dy, for his part, expressed gratitude to BRAVE CF anew, saying that the promotion had paved the way for his career revival.
“They treat fighters with respect, and that’s very important to us. I am grateful to be part of this promotion and for the opportunity, they gave me last year,” said the Filipino lightweight star, who holds a 14-9 record.
“They can count on me that I will represent the promotion to the best of my ability.”
BRAVE CF, which successfully held its inaugural event in Russia last Jan. 16, is expected to announce its next events in the coming weeks.