KHK MMA team garners praise from international figures, media

Manama

 The newly formed Bahrain-based MMA team KHK has garnered praise and support from various international figures and media outlets.

 International sports writer Duane Finley in his recent report 'The Fighting Life: The Rise of MMA in Bahrain', wrote, "It’s a strong move for a team whose focus is bigger than just building a great fight team in its home country. Shaikh Khalid’s vision is to bring MMA to Bahrain on a much larger scale. And from some of the things I witnessed firsthand, those efforts appear to be working.”

 “They started with the formation of an amateur team, and now they are at a point where they are getting ready to shift that focus to the professional ranks. They aren’t just looking at the bigger picture but are are willing to do what it takes to establish themselves and Bahraini MMA on the global scene," the report added.

 International MMA news outlet, MMAjunkie, praised the Bahraini efforts and said, "Bahrain plans on making a big splash in the MMA world – one they promise will be a long-lasting endeavor. The recent announcement of “KHK MMA Team” may seem like a flash in the pan for some, but a closer look at who is behind the team may convince doubters."

 The team was an initiative of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport First Deputy Chairman and President of the Bahrain Athletics Association HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. It features seasoned professionals and an amatuer team of emerging talents. Eight professionals and 14 amateur fighters recently signed up for the team.

 Various world-renowned MMA champions and fighters congratulated Shaikh Khalid for forming the KHK team. Among the ones to express support were UFC Lightweight Rafael Dos Anjos,  UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman, former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold, former UFC Light Heavy weight Champion Suga Rashad Evans, retired UFC fighter Jay Dee  Penn and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier.