The promotion, in partnership with YFU, will stage BRAVE CF 98 on Friday, September 19, at the Henan TV Studio 8 in Zhengzhou.
China holds an iconic place in martial arts history. From the mythic origins of organized combat dating back 4,000 years to the evolution of over 60 distinct fighting disciplines — including Sanda and Kung Fu — the country has long been considered one of the cradles of martial arts.
For BRAVE CF, returning to China is more than a symbolic nod to history — it’s a strategic move to develop the next generation of world-class athletes.
“What BRAVE CF can provide to Chinese athletes is an opportunity to measure their talents with other world-class fighters, as well as providing them with a global platform to showcase their talents,” said BRAVE CF President Mohammed Shahid.
The headliner will see international action, but the co-main event promises to shine the spotlight squarely on Chinese MMA. “The Stalker” Xie Bin will finally make his promotional debut against former BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Champion Nicholas Hwende of Zimbabwe.
The high-stakes Featherweight bout is expected to test Xie’s veteran savvy against Hwende’s championship pedigree.
Beyond the co-main event, BRAVE CF 98 will host seven supporting matchups featuring emerging Chinese fighters eager to showcase their skills against elite international opposition.
For these athletes, it’s more than a fight — it’s a chance to benchmark themselves against the world’s finest and announce their arrival on the global stage.
“This upcoming card will feature everything from a world title showdown to the emergence of future Asian MMA superstars — athletes with the potential to become the next Khamzat Chimaev or Ilia Topuria, said Shahid.
“On September 19, MMA fans around the globe will have the chance to see China’s finest talents on display.”
China is also viewed as a critical frontier for MMA’s expansion. Despite being home to millions of martial arts practitioners and a massive potential fanbase, the nation has seen limited international activity from leading organizations.
With its landmark partnership with YFU, BRAVE CF aims to fill that gap and become the global organization consistently bringing world-class MMA to Chinese fans.
“Our goal in every market we enter has always been to help develop MMA as an industry, and China is no exception,” Shahid added.
“With our third event taking place in the country, I am confident we will soon witness tremendous growth for the sport here.”
