Table of Contents
When BRAVE Combat Federation (Brave CF) brought “Storm of Warriors” (Brave CF 22) to Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena on March 15, 2019, the promotion didn’t just stage a fight card; it planted a flag. For the Philippines—where combat sports fandom is passionate and widespread—the event was a statement that Manila belongs on the global MMA map.
Headlined by hometown star Stephen “The Sniper” Loman defending his bantamweight title against former champion Elias Boudegzdame, Brave CF 22 delivered the one thing that electrifies a fight-mad city: a decisive finish for the local hero. Loman stopped Boudegzdame in Round 4 (TKO), capping a night that also produced six victories by Filipino athletes and a roar from the crowd that felt as global as the promotion’s ambitions.
And crucially, the event aired via a new broadcast partnership with ESPN5 in the Philippines, widening the mainstream reach of MMA in the country beyond hardcore fans and into living rooms nationwide.
1) Brave CF in one page: Who they are and why Manila?
Founded in Bahrain, BraveCF has spent the last decade building a reputation for taking world-class MMA to emerging markets, then spotlighting local talent on international stages. Its calendar hops continents, with a particular emphasis on Asia, Europe, and the Middle East—an approach that has produced new stars and new audiences far beyond the traditional North American strongholds. (For historical title defenses and rollout context, see Brave’s championship history.)
Why Manila?
- A passionate base: The Philippines has a long love affair with combat sports. MMA gyms, striking academies, and grassroots tournaments feed a knowledgeable, vocal crowd.
- A world-class venue: Mall of Asia Arena is a modern, TV-ready coliseum that can handle large-scale production and international logistics.
- Broadcast power: Partnering with ESPN5 made Brave’s debut a mainstream TV moment, not just a niche stream.
2) Brave CF 22—Storm of Warriors: The night Manila roared
The basics
- Date: March 15, 2019
- Venue: Mall of Asia Arena (Pasay, Metro Manila)
- Headliner: Stephen Loman (PH) vs Elias Boudegzdame for the Brave bantamweight title
- Result: Loman TKO (R4) to retain the belt
Beyond the headliner, the card had an unmistakable theme: Filipino pride. Brave’s official recap highlighted six wins by Filipino fighters, crystallizing that this wasn’t merely a touring show—it was an investment in local athletes standing tall on a global platform.
Local coverage and international outlets echoed the same narrative: BraveCF’s debut in the Philippines was historic, both in atmosphere and outcomes, and Manila embraced the show with the energy promotions crave.
3) How did Loman do it? A simple technical snapshot
Stripped of hype, Loman’s success came down to fundamentals:
- Pace control: He dictated a tempo that allowed him to pressure without burning the gas tank too early—vital in championship rounds.
- Layered offense: Mixing striking entries with clinch control and takedown threats kept Boudegzdame honest and hesitant.
- Composure at home: The psychology of fighting at home can overwhelm or elevate; for Loman, the Manila crowd’s wave helped him crest late, when the finish materialized in Round 4. (Official result confirms the R4 TKO.)
4) Why the ESPN5 deal mattered (and still does)
Television reach creates fans at scale. The ESPN5 partnership didn’t just put Brave 22 on more screens; it validated MMA as prime-time programming in the Philippines. For fighters, that means better sponsor visibility; for gyms, a rush of curious beginners after fight night; for the sport, another brick in the mainstream wall.
5) The Manila effect: What Brave CF changed for the ecosystem
a) More pathways for local fighters
When a global promotion lands in your city, matchmakers inevitably scout the neighborhood. Fighters who had been grinding on regional circuits got slots on an international card, a chance to test themselves and get noticed—often the gateway to multi-fight deals.
b) A commercial nudge
A sold-out arena and a TV carriage deal are magnets for sponsors and a blueprint for future live events. Manila’s success offered a case study that MMA events can be destination experiences in the Philippines, with tourism spillovers and strong social-media ripple effects.
c) Gym-level momentum
Post-event, many gyms see trial sign-ups jump; fans become practitioners. That’s good for the talent pipeline and for health/fitness culture more broadly—MMA becomes a participation sport, not just a spectator thrill.
6) A quick fan guide: How to follow Brave CF (and re-live Manila)
- Official website (Events/Results): Check Brave’s site for event pages and official recaps—Brave CF 22 is archived there with bout info and post-fight notes.
- Fight databases: Tapology (and Sherdog) maintain event pages with date, venue, and results—useful for historical reference and cross-checking.
- Video & highlights: Brave’s official channels regularly post fight content. (Loman vs Boudegzdame is available to re-watch.)
Pro tip for new fans: Watch the official Fight Week Recap then the full main event—you’ll absorb context, crowd energy, and the tactical arc of Loman’s title defense.
7) Why Manila worked: The venue and the vibe
Mall of Asia Arena (MOA Arena) isn’t just big—it’s broadcast-friendly. Sightlines, lighting grids, and back-of-house corridors matter when you’re moving TV trucks, cranes, and fighter warm-up areas. The arena delivered on live experience and production value, contributing to the “this is a world show” feeling Brave wanted.
The vibe? Local media called it a party with purpose: national pride in full voice and a sense of “we want more.” That intangible is what convinces promoters to circle dates and return.
8) For publishers: How to rank with “Brave CF Comes to Manila”
If you’re crafting content around BraveCF’s Manila milestone (or its next Asia swing), apply this quick SEO checklist:
- Intent-aligned H1/H2s:
- H1: BraveCF Comes to Manila: Results, Stories, What’s Next
- H2s: Full Results & Key Finishes, Stephen Loman’s Title Defense, How to Watch BraveCF, Impact on MMA in the Philippines
- Evergreen + seasonal: Keep one evergreen explainer (what Brave is, why Manila matters) and update seasonal pieces (event pages, TV/stream info).
- Entities and E-E-A-T: Name entities (fighters, venue, broadcaster) and cite first-party sources (Brave site, ESPN articles) to strengthen trust signals.
- Internal links: Point to fighter bios (e.g., Loman), gym guides in Manila, and a live Brave CF schedule post you update quarterly.
- Schema: Add FAQPage schema for common queries (date, venue, main event, broadcast, results).
- Long-tail angles: “Where to watch Brave CF in the Philippines,” “Brave CF Mall of Asia Arena seating guide,” “Stephen Loman bantamweight title defenses.”
9) Looking forward: Brave CF’s Asian footprint in 2025
After the COVID years reshaped live events, BraveCF has re-accelerated in Asia. In April 2025, the promotion held Brave CF 93 in Zhengzhou, China, signaling sustained commitment to the region and a growing slate of cross-border cards. That event, run with local partners, featured a lightweight main event and a card mixing Chinese talent with international prospects—a model Brave has used effectively in other markets.
While no official date is announced for a Manila return as of this writing, the ingredients are all there: a proven venue, a broadcast pathway, local stars with regional followings, and a fanbase that turns fight night into a cultural moment. If you’re a Philippines-based fan or publisher, keep an eye on Brave’s Events/News pages for updates as 2025–26 schedules fill in.
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10) What Brave CF 22 taught the industry
Manila is a needle-mover. Put a well-booked card in a city that cares, add a strong local headliner, and amplify via a major broadcaster—you get a rising tide: more fans, more prospects, more sponsors. That’s the recipe Brave CF cooked in 2019, and it remains the template for how global MMA can localize without losing scale.
11) Practical mini-guide: Planning your own “Brave CF coverage” hub
If you run a sports site or MMA blog, build a Manila hub that includes:
- Event archive: Brave CF 22 quick facts (date, venue, main event, full results) with citations to official pages and Tapology/Sherdog.
- Star profile: Stephen Loman’s title-defense timeline and key highlights.
- How to watch BraveCF: Current platforms, links to Brave’s news/YouTube where applicable.
- Local angle: Manila gyms to visit, MOA Arena visitor tips, and fan photo galleries (UGC).
- Newsletter CTA: “Get Brave CF dates first”—then send short recaps the morning after each card.
This approach wins discovery (long-tail keywords), loyalty (returning MMA fans), and authority (source-rich, updated pages).
12) Call-to-Action
Are you ready for the next Brave CF chapter in Asia?
- Subscribe to Brave’s official updates and your favorite MMA database so you never miss a card.
- Bookmark this guide and share it with fellow fans planning a Manila fight-night trip.
- Tell us in the comments: If BraveCF returns to Manila, which matchup do you want on the poster—and why? We’ll compile the best “dream card” picks and share them with the community.
Final Word
Brave CF Comes to Manila wasn’t just a headline—it was a turning point. The promotion proved that Manila can host a world-class MMA spectacle, and the Philippines proved it can fuel that spectacle with talent and thunderous support. As Brave CF’s Asian schedule grows, don’t be surprised if Manila once again becomes the arena where the world watches.