BRAVE Combat Federation, recognized as the world’s most international MMA organization, has entered a broadcasting agreement with Arena Channels Group, part of Telekom Serbia, the leading telecom entity in the Balkans. This partnership ensures the broadcast of all BRAVE CF live events across the region via the company’s sports channels.
Established by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, BRAVE CF dominates the European MMA market, having organized an unparalleled 22 events in 13 countries over six years. The organization has unveiled plans for a 2024 European Tour, featuring events in Slovenia, France, Germany, and inaugural events in Croatia and the Netherlands.
BRAVE CF has significantly contributed to MMA's growth in Serbia, marking a milestone with the inaugural European BRAVE International Combat Week in Belgrade. This event, the world's largest combat sports festival, set attendance records by drawing over 20,000 spectators to the Stark Arena, fostering a thriving MMA ecosystem in Serbia with the backing of Arena Sport, the event’s official
media ally.
When commenting on the deal, BRAVE CF president Mohammed Shahid spoke of last year’s triumphal moment for the sport in Europe and spoke on how the broadcasting deal will be key in continuing to advance the sport in Europe.
‘’ First, I’d like to thank the General Director of Arena Channels Group Nebojša Žugić and the president of Serbian National Federation, Luka Nikolic. Last year, we put on our biggest show in Belgrade, with the support of the Serbian federation, and of course, Arena Sport. This event has elevated MMA in the Balkans and in Europe to never-before-seen levels. As the most global MMA organization in the world, BRAVE Combat Federation has a mission to bring in a new era for the sport in Europe, and this deal with Arena Sport is key in achieving this goal. This partnership is part of our strategies to implement our vision for the development of MMA in Europe, and Serbia will play a major role in making this vision successful. Serbia has a special place in BRAVE CF history, and I’m delighted to be able to announce this deal on the Serbian National day’’, said Mohammed Shahid.
"It's a great accomplishment that they've recognized our country and region as a destination for investing in sports promotion and infrastructure. We look forward to Arena Channels Group becoming their media partner. All of this will contribute to achieving one of our top priorities – the popularization of martial arts in the region and the ongoing effort to invest in motivating young people to engage in sports, as it is crucial for the development of a healthy nation," said Nebojša Žugić, the General Director of Arena Channels Group.
BRAVE Combat Federation Chief Operations Officer Valeria Lang hailed the work done by Arena Sport on the development of combat sports in Serbia and said she was looking forward to the impact the partnership with BRAVE CF will have on martial arts in Serbia and in Europe.
‘’Arena Sport has played a major role in elevating all combat sports on a national level in Serbia and bringing world-class sporting content to the Balkan region. With BRAVE CF’s vision of globalization and developing mixed martial arts in Europe, this is a partnership made in heaven. Together, we’ll be able to achieve so much more for martial arts in Serbia and in the Balkan region’’.