Brave 5: Kooheji to face Gavali

Manama : After two successful battles in the first and second of BRAVE Combat Federation Championships held in Bahrain, Bahrain’s Hamza Kooheji is looking to add a third win to his record when he faces off with India’s Chaitanya Gavali at Brave 5: ‘Go For Glory’ on April 23 at the Dome Stadium in Mumbai, India.

Top billing at the event is a bout between Carl Booth and Tahar Hadbi.

The co-main event will feature an India versus India clash with Gurdarshan Mangat taking on Abdul Muneer.

Al Kooheji defeated Egyptian fighter, Mohamed Mashaly by forcing him out with submission in the first edition of BRAVE, and emerged victorious over Philippines fighter Jeremy Pacatiw by unanimous decision from the judging panel. Gavali has a record (6-3) record, while Al Kooheji is (5-1)has a record of 5 wins and one loss. Gavali will clearly have crowd advantage boosting his confidence which was an advantage enjoyed by Al Kooheji in the first two editions of BRAVE.

Al Kooheji said: “I will be facing one of the local fighters and that does not make me nervous at all. Some fighters see that as a challenge in itself, but I do not care about that. Tension only strikes me during the weight check process and I feel completely calm after it’s over, just like as if I accomplished a mission. After that I enjoy the 15 minutes inside the cage.”