Filipino Fighters Rally Support During Middle East Crisis

Filipino mixed martial arts fighters Stephen Loman and Drex Zamboanga have expressed concern for Filipino communities in Bahrain and across the Middle East as regional tensions continue to escalate, casting uncertainty over daily life and the sporting calendar.

The situation carries particular significance for Loman, who built a key part of his career under BRAVE Combat Federation and has often described the region as a second home. Between 2016 and 2019, he competed six times for the promotion, including three bouts in Bahrain, highlighted by his bantamweight world title victory in 2017.

Reflecting on the current situation, Loman said: “My heart is heavy seeing what is happening across the Middle East. Bahrain holds a special place in my journey, and I know so many Filipinos there who are working hard for their families. It is painful to think of what they are going through right now.”

Zamboanga, who joined BRAVE CF in 2025, echoed those sentiments, extending his support to overseas Filipinos affected by the crisis. “I offer my prayers to all Filipinos in Bahrain and throughout the Middle East. May God surround you with protection, strength, and comfort in these difficult times,” he said.

The concern comes amid a significant Filipino presence in the region, with an estimated 2.1 to 2.4 million living and working across the Middle East. Around 86,000 are currently in areas under active crisis alert, raising the possibility of repatriation if tensions persist.

The situation has also begun to affect the sporting calendar, with bouts involving both fighters under BRAVE CF potentially being pushed back to later in 2026.

Despite the uncertainty, both fighters expressed hope that stability would return soon, with Loman looking forward to competing again and Zamboanga remaining optimistic about the future.